CHRISTMAS isn’t lacking with real-life stories, both happy and sad. This is precisely the reason some people feel lonely and melancholic during this time of year. For some, there is intense loneliness and a sense of isolation while others exhilaration and joy to be reunited with loved ones.
Whatever it is you’re going through, I pray God’s comfort be upon you. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. That’s a promise in Psalm 147:3.
Some childhood friends lost loved ones this season. Having lost Papa one Christmas season in 2009, I can empathize with the grief, the searing loss, aching void, unrelenting pain, and rootlessness that one overwhelmingly feels when one loses a loved one, especially a parent.
My childhood friends from Taloto, Mila Miro Gines – one year older than me in elementary school, and older sister – a dentist – Aniceta “Nene” Miro Villadores, together with their sister, Praxedes “Dixie” Miro lost their Mom Nang Gloria Relamida Miro this December.
“Mama Glo is a simple mother of three daughters,” says Dr. Nene. She only finished second year high school because they came from a poor family, but she and Papa worked very hard as businesspeople affording us a better life. They were partners in life and in business,” Nene added.
I remember when I was a kid, we used to buy assorted home stuff at Nang Gloria’s store in Ubujan. Hers was the nearest store stocked with diverse goods. We used to walk the length from the house to the store which in those days seemed like miles away. Our deepest condolences to the Miro sisters, and their respective families.
On another story of loss, my high school classmate Sylvia “Bing” Garsuta lost her hubby, Salvador Caing Tupaz this December. Bing’s hubby was Assistant School Principal II of Pamilacan High School in Baclayon, Bohol. Bing, an educator herself and the daughter of our high school biology teacher, Ma’am Myrna Garsuta, and I go a long way back. We were elementary classmates until I was transferred to another school. Our heartfelt condolences to Bing and her children: Shannon Ray, Shyra Reyna, Sean Rey, and Sherwin Roy.
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Guindulman escapade
By Charmaine Sales
One fine day in November, I visited faraway Guindulman and spent time with Ate Fe Ricafort and hubby Kuya Edgar Bertumen. It was a fun two-day trip complete with superb accommodation and unforgettable experience. The residence of Ate Fe and Kuya Edgar in Basdio, Guindulman, Bohol is a resort-inspired house with sprawling gardens.
I traveled from Tagbilaran City on a rainy and overcast Monday morning and arrived around noon at House Bertumen where delicious lunch consisting of sinugbang pompano, shrimp, chicken adobo, and other dishes was readied for us! Completing the meal was biko for dessert.
Just like any other visit, Ate Fe and I enjoyed our chikahan and skipped our siesta. I was looking forward to swim that day and we agreed to swim around sunset towards the evening, and yes, we did night swimming, too, and picnic at their backyard beach!
The Bertumen compound hosts the guest house and the main house highlighted by a balcony that directs your attention to a breathtaking vast ocean and fantastic seaside view! We had a taste of an enthralling sunset and sunrise. An elaborate concrete stairway leading to the white powdery beach resort owned by the Bertumens characterizes the main house.
House Bertumen is just a few steps away from Bonbon Beach Resort in Guindulman. Even on a Monday noon, a fully loaded bus packed with beachgoers passed by the house. Meanwhile, a bamboo house built over a protruding rock by the beach is reserved for relaxation, more sightseeing, and picnic for family and guests.
That same night was Guindulmans’ Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony and Ate Fe wanted me to see the event, so she tagged us to the Poblacion to enjoy the festivities. The Christmas Tree exquisitely adorned with lights and parols was huge, tall, and enchanting!
By early morning the following day, two motorized bancas brought us to a nearby Anda beach resort where we had our breakfast picnic once again. Magnificent vistas unfolded before our very eyes as we passed by rocky cliffs. Captivating crystal-clear blue-emerald seawater and underwater seaweeds were a remarkable sight!
Following this heartwarming and mind-tingling experience, we returned to House Bertumen and rested for a while. When it was time to leave, I extended my gratitude and adios to my gracious hosts. It was such a wonderful experience to be in the paradise home of the Bertumens.
Kuya Edgar and Ate Fe are both retired American citizens with dual citizenships. Ate Fe is my Auntie Malu Digal Lungay’s nurse-classmate and close friend. They both graduated at the Bohol Provincial Hospital School of Nursing in Tagbilaran City.
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Writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City every Saturday, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. She can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
