Aurea ORDILLAS and Juliana and Honorio CAWAGAS

The third daughter, Aurea, more popularly known as “Cela” had a very promising career in the field of education. After graduation from the Philippine Normal University, she became a public school teacher at the elementary school in San Marcelino. Her ability as a teacher and a potential as administrator was soon recognized and she was given a scholarship grant for a Master’s Degree at the University of the Philippines.

On her return, she was appointed principal of the Castillejos Elementary School where she was highly regarded as an educator, and an innovative administrator. A few years later, she was being groomed for a higher position, that of a District Supervisor. It is not far-fetched to presume that she would go on to achieve higher positions of responsibility. At this point in her career however, tragedy struck in the family.

Father died in 1969 leaving Mother and Cela to live in the old family home. To do the household chores and be with Mother while Cela was in school, Nana Cresing was taken in. Way back in the 40’s mother had a stroke which left her partly disabled. She recovered and was able to regain strength and ability to do light work.

In the late 60’s her eyesight began to fail, to be lost completely in a few years. With all siblings away, Cela took care of mother, now sightless, attending to her needs, including helping her at meals while teaching in the next town. Mother passed away peacefully in 1977, leaving her alone.

In 1981, Manong Honorio in Honolulu met a fatal car accident on a fishing trip. For a while Juliana kept on with her teaching but her grief and the stress of living alone was too much for her. She became violently ill. She had always been under medication for heart and lung ailments and the heavy emotional burden just brought her down.

In answer to everyone’s prayer, Cela received her immigration papers into Hawaii after a 12-year wait. After resigning from her position, she went to Manila to have her papers presented at the U. S. Embassy. Even at that period, getting travel papers approved was not an easy task. But she had it done personally. The whole visa-getting experience would have been smooth-sailing; however it was not without a dramatic garnish.

When Cela was working on her visa, she needed an NBI clearance. She was confidently walking near the Manila City Hall when suddenly a young man grabbed her bag from behind and began to run off with it. Realizing a snatcher had her bag she shook off her shoes and chased the snatcher meanwhile screaming for help.

Fortunately, a policeman and some bystanders caught the thief and she had her bag back. Relating her experience later she exclaimed, “I would not go through the visa processing again- waiting in line, the interview, the stress, whew!” The snatcher did not imagine that the helpless-looking, not-as-young would-be victim had such a strong will-power and stamina.

Cela and Ulling lived at the Kaikunane Loop house for many years. Ulling recovered under the sisterly loving care and companionship. Cela had a 13-year teaching stint at a school for children of new immigrants. She once commented that newly transferred Filipino students were well-behaved and serious in their studies but easily absorbed in the new culture of freedom and independence which did not go well with some.

In 1995, the two sisters decided to go to mainland U. S. A. Rex, the son of Meliton and Erlinda , and Elvira were blessed with quadruplet babies. They reside in Cleveland, Ohio. Ever self-sacrificing, Cela went to live with them, giving extra hands to the young parents. One of the boys died leaving a boy and two girls. To the three children, two more boys were added to the family. Living with the family, watching how the children have grown into teenagers, speaks lovingly and proudly of her Grandmother role although the kids call her “Auntie”.

While Cela went to Ohio, Ulling went to Orlando, Florida where Manong Juaning and Cang Beb lived with Marilyn’s family. She was happy with the healthful climate of Florida and among close family once again. When she was in Hawaii, she kept our kids in the Philippines abreast with best pictures for the young such as Walt Disney classics. She also sent us tapes of well-loved music and copies of great movies. Her greatest happiness was in giving, giving. She had a very big heart.

Before going to Florida, Julie sold her house in Honolulu, planning to stay with the Beltrans during her remaining years. In the later part of 2003, however, her old health problems began to recur. She had to be hospitalized. When she felt that she would not be getting better, she decided to return to Hawaii. She called Bob Burk, her adopted son, to bring her back home. Bob, a young American, took care of her several years before but was left in Hawaii to continue with his studies.

In Honolulu once again, she went to live at Kulana Hale. There she lived peacefully and happily, making friends with her elderly housemates and involvement in church activities. One of her greatest joys was to be at the graduation of Bob at the University of Hawaii.

Julie passed away in October 2004. She had prepared the details of her funeral which was attended by close relatives and friends. Finally, she was buried beside Manong Honorio in the Mililani cemetery.