amanda

My maternal lola has a beautiful name, Amanda.

She was the eldest of three children but was separated from her siblings at a young age. Before she was born, her mother had two miscarriages. To break what they believed was a bad omen, they decided to make the sacrifice of separating her from her parents at a tender age. She basically grew up in the care of her spinster aunt, the sister of her father, fondly called by my mother as Lolo Isidro.

Isidro and his sister, Juanita, is a member of the grand political clan, the Laurels of Batangas. The latter used to frequent that province when she was younger and actively worked as what may had been a profitable business back then, local gambling. Although illiterate, Juanita took pride in knowing how to count money efficiently and to tell time using the clock.

Lolo Isidro was a young don who owned houses and lots behind the Philippine Womens University in Manila. He worked in the court as a clerk. One of the infamous cases he got involved with was the trial of the national hero, Jose Rizal.

During the trial, he was so disgusted with the results that he turned to his friend, a rebellious priest who founded the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, or better known as the Aglipayan Church. He made Gregorio Aglipay his confessor and he would remorse, not in the church, but in his abode. It was like home service.

After excommunicating himself from the Catholic Church, Isidro shared long afternoons with Gregorio, discussing politics and church ministry.

He loved his wife, Felisa, all his life. When Felisa died because of complications due to diabetes, he never remarried and, as my grandmother remembered it, became depressed each day.

Felisa was a beautiful mestiza who belonged to the Gonzales clan, a family known for musical abilities. She had one of the beautiful voices heard in lavish parties in mansions. Her back up had to be an orchestra because an ordinary combo didn't bring justice to her talent.

It was a painful decision for Felisa and Isidro to let go of Amanda at the age of three. But that sacrifice resulted in two successful childbirths. Thus Teodora and Jesus were born.

Felisa died when Amanda was barely eight. When she got worse, her urine attracted ants. That time, diabetes was difficult to manage and treatment was left to God's will. Upon her death, Isidro rarely socialized.

The fraternal cousins of Amanda all grew up in Manila. One of them was Eligia who married a wealthy man. Later on in her life, she invested in apartments along J.P. Rizal St. in Makati and one door was rented out to my parents when they were newly wed. The apartment no longer stands. She ordered it demolished after 20 or so years. Today there is a condominium named after Amanda's mother, Doña Felisa.

Four days ago, Eligia passed away due to asthma complications. She was 83.

* * *

kids should know that...

In 1896, the Philippine Revolution broke out and his political and ideological loyalties were clear. Emilio Aguinaldo appointed him military priest in 1898; he was then officially excommunicated by the Vatican and Roman Catholic authorities. He called on Filipino clergy to unite against Spain, and in 1899, the Church indicted him of inciting rebellion. He was appointed bishop of the new Filipino Church, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, thereby permanently severing ties with the Vatican. (wikipedia)