Last year, I lost my long time friend and kumare , Aurora Calicdan de Guzman . A month earlier , she sent me a card for my birthday as well as an invitation card to her daughter Grace's graduation from medical school and the pictures at Grace's graduation . When we graduated from high school she wanted to take up medicine . Unfortunately , she was not able to go to medical school . She became an educator instead . But it was still her cherished dream that one of her children would become what she wanted to be . She did not become a medical doctor , but she lived for that dream . It was Grace who made her Mom's dream come true . She was full of pride and joy when she witnessed Grace's graduation . A few weeks later , cancer finally claimed her life .
Picture of the family was taken at Grace's graduation from medical school at University of California San Diego . Auring ( in red ) is shown with new graduate Grace , husband Jun , Cheryl and Armand . Jason is standing behind Auring .
This is the picture that Auring had waited for ..Grace 's Graduation from Medical School on June 4th , 2006 ......
Auring passed away on July 10th , 2006 .
On June 30th this year , her husband Silverio ( aka Jun ) de Guzman , their children, relatives and friends got together for her " bakas " . It was a time for Jun's former classmates ( MNHS class '59 ) and Auring's high school classmates ( STHS batch '59 ) to get together and reminisce . They had also the chance to discuss some tentative plans for the coming 50th or Golden Jubilee celebration for their own batches . Present was our dear Mrs. Josefina de Vera , former teacher in STHS and MNHS ( later in her teaching years .)
who was and is always close to the family .
In this picture are Jun and former classmates , Irene de Guzman , Cecile Ferrer Mejia and Milagros Aquino . Standing are his children Jason , Armand , Grace and Cheryl .
This is a part of the group who attended the "bakas" or " babang-luksa " of Auring . In the picture are ( seated ) Fely de Guzman , Milagros Aquino , Cecile Ferrer Mejia , Annie Biala de Guzman , Mrs. Josefina de Vera , Luz Biala and Ross Mejia ( partly hidden by the dark shadow ) . Standing are Irene de Guzman , Manny Biason , Leo Abrazaldo , Paul Abrazaldo , Perla Biala , Mila Biala , Lu de Vera , Jun de Guzman , Joe de Guzman and Resurrection Abrazaldo Chua . Serafin Serafica , Auring's former classmate , and his wife , Rebecca were in the group but not in the pictures .
Picture taken during the prayers with Jun , Grace , Cheryl , Armand and Jason leading the group prayer with Mrs. Josefina de Vera . On the far right are family friends from San Diego , ( l-r ) Neal , Nic John , Rosalie and Nic Ramos .
There is always a void left when a person passes on . It will be a long time before the family and close friends get back to normal . Officially , "bakas" marks the end of the mourning period for the family members . However , memories will always linger on , but life has to go on ....
Thanks to Cecile and Ross Mejia for sending me the pictures during the "bakas" get together .....Marie












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