thursday afternoon as i was on my way home from makati i got a text message from my mom that manang melo has passed away already. I had to read the message 6 times for i could not believe that after more that a year, she has finally given up her battle.

since she had that second attack last year, she has been on a persistent vegetative state just like Teri Schiavo. But unlike Teri, we have all fought the battle with manang melo. We have been all hopeful and prayerful that God will continue to make a miracle in her life. We all prayed that one day, she will rise up from her bed and be the same old manang melo.

i have seen what a fighter manang melo is. i know how determined she was to have the open heart surgery. our endless trips to heart center's charity department. her joy when a rotary club sponsored her operation. i was with her when a few days before her scheduled operation, we almost lost her. i was there when she was brought to the operating room. i was outside the ICU of the heart center everyday after the operation. i was there when she was finally sent home by the doctors. i saw how determined she is to live for manong zaldy and for her childern. how disciplined she was with regards to her eating habits and exercise.

i know she has fought until the end. i know that she has even tried to bargain with God to let her stay a little more longer only to prepare us, her loved ones.

i know God has prepared a better place for you in heaven manang melo. a place where you will no longer need a NGT, an oxygen, an IV or even a nurse. A place where you can freely move. It is indeed time for you to rest, a time for you to go.

i promise to look over bgurl and borgy just like how you looked over me. i promise to treat them just how you have treated me--just like your own daughter. Thank you for all the wonderful summer vacations in victorias. thank you for always taking time off every time i take a vacation just to bring me around. thank you for always listening to me and for being the cool and wonderful tita that you are. thank you for fighting and for being strong. Rest now and enjoy the party God has prepared for you in heaven, manang melo. we love you and we will surely miss you. Give our love to wowo and wawa. And as what everyone says, no goodbyes just see you soon.