GRANDMOTHER'S LAST DAY, FAREWELL LOLA GOYANG

I was in Mati Davao Oriental last Saturday to attend the last day of my grandmother before she will be brought to the public cemetery in the province. Upon arrival , me and my mother, were greeted warmly by relative and friends in the place. We thought that the burial would be at 1 o' clock. But we were told that the burial would be by 2 pm in the afternoon.

I was the one driving our car going to the place. We left Davao City around 7 am and reached Tagum City at 8:25 am. My wife was with us since she was working in Tagum City. We proceeded to our apartment and took some time to rest before we go to Mati. The road to Davao oriental is under construction still right now. I would say it is not ideal for travel when using a car going there. SUV and trucks are ideal for travel to Davao Oriental.

I was told that the remains will be taken to the cathedral central in Mati Davao Oriental. I really don't have any idea where it was but I just thought I would rather follow the procession of cars and not to deviate from it, that I usually do. In the cathedral, the farewell mass was held and after that pictures were taken. I noticed that many of my cousins were crying and even my aunts and uncles too. I would admit that my eyes were teary but it never fell down. After the mass, we proceeded immediately to the cemetery. It was a 80 degrees climb and has a narrow road that only pedicabs can access. I was scared that I may not make it to climb that type of road condition. I must control my pedals very well or else I might bump the car behind me if my car falls back. I was just happy to make it that kind of drive. Even the exit was very difficult because the road was going down and it was a rough road, composed of soil and some loose gravels.

After the burial, we went back to the house of my aunt and ate some food. Rice grains were thrown to the people. It was a sign of thanks for the people who accompany my grandmother to her last day. We were also told to wash our hands in the basin with water and some plants floating on in. After those rituals, it was food time again. I ate some food that were being served and bid my farewell to my aunt. We have to leave because the poor condition of the road makes it harder to travel at night. For you cannot see the holes on the road. The burial was organized properly by my cousin. It was a solemn and simple burial for my grandmother. May she rest in peace in the hands of our Lord. Fare well Lola Goyang, we will miss you.

BACK TO BARRACKS

I am finally home from my wake vigil in Mati Davao Oriental. The road going to Mati is really not ideal for travel, especially those using cars. There are roads that are being constructed right now. Usually, the travel to Mati City would take around 2 hours only from Tagum City. That's the most already. But our trip from Tagum City to Mati lasted almost 3 hours because of the poor road condition.

The interment will be on Saturday, September 5. I will be on leave to attend the burial of my grandmother on that day. When we arrived in Mati City, we immediately went to the town proper and got a room for our stay. It was very necessary because we drove almost 6 hours total and wee need a place to stay and sleep to recover from the tiring trip to Mati City. We dined at Rambohan, a local barbecue eatery that offers with range of barbecues to all it's customers. Around 7 pm, we proceeded to the house of our aunt where the body of my grandmother lies. We stayed there until 1 am and went straight to Beatrice Hotel to sleep.

Early morning, we had our breakfast at the local dinner at the ground floor of the hotel. Our meal cost 460 pesos only for 7 people. The bill was paid by mommy, as she volunteered herself to pay for the meal. Our stay for one night cost 1,160, includes an additional bed on the floor. Mom stayed there.

There were so many revelations during our stay in the house and that I will share to you all later on. But now, I really need to have a good sleep for my legs are aching due to the long rough drive from Mati City to Davao City

GRANDMA IS GONE AT 94

Yesterday was a sad day for the Rojas Clan. Our grandmother, Lola Goyang passed away at 94 years old. My brother called me up earlier in the morning informing me that our grandmother was admitted in the hospital and was in the intensive care unit. According to my brother, our grandmother was unconscious and the doctors said that it was a bad condition for our 94 year old grandmother. At exactly around 3-4 pm yesterday, I received a text message from my brother and he informed me that our grandmother passed away already. It is so sad because I remember just last May 14, we were there in her birthday. I introduced to her my wife and her apo or grandchild, Cloi and Nicole.

By Sunday, we will be going there in full force. You know, I never miss her birthday. According to my cousin, lola was calling names and they believed that she was calling the name of my mother. I think it was her last bid to say goodbye to all of us.

I had a dream last night and I was telling my lola not to blow my ears for we will be there by Sunday. It was just a dream and yet it was so real. I have to prepare all the things that we will be bringing by Sunday. My wife will be waiting in Tagum City and we have to leave early morning so that we can achieve many things when we get to Mati City.