It was January 3, 1956 when Mr. & Mrs. Antonio & Nena Masongsong's first daughter was born in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. She was named Emma Hernandez Masongsong, the fourth child in the brood of nine. As a little girl, she would excel in school, plays the bandurya and takes good care of her siblings.
At age 17 she fell in love with Brigido Lopez and eventually got married on April 16, 1973. She was blessed with five kids: Jean, Jannet, Herminigildo, Jovit and Guiller. Her husband has a congenital heart disease then, she never experienced being a plain housewife for she has to help her partner in making sure the family would be well provided for.
Emma has very few friends because she does not have the luxury of time to mingle. Every single minute counts for her because she has five children to raise. While some mothers were busy shopping and going to the parlors on weekends, she was busy working and doing her side line by selling shoes to her co-workers.
Every night she would pray for longer life because she wanted to make sure her kids will never ran out of clean clothes to wear and food on the table. Life was not easy but his lady has a burning desire to go on with life and continuously believe that one day life would be perfect for her family.
She was busy as a bee, she missed a lot of parent-teachers association meetings because she has to fulfill the roles of a mother and a father. She never entertained any man after her husband's death because she devoted her life to her offspring.
You are lucky enough if she talks to you that means she really likes you for her to spare few minutes chatting.
She had a fast life........a wife at 17, a mother at 20, a widow at 25, lost her third child Herminigildo at 28, fatherless at 40, lost her mom when she turned 41, lost her favorite brother Pangking eight years after.
At 43, she had the first marriage in the family: Jean got married to Allan Gonzaga Lorenzo with whom she was blessed with 3 grandkids, Prinze Jan, Ralph Miguel, and Angelica Dawn.
At 48, she gave her son Guiller the blessings to marry Janette Cardillo, who gifted her with two grand daughters; Guian Jasmin and Geanne Astria.
At 51, she gave her daughter's hand Jovit to marry Edmundo Reyes.
She has experienced the ups and downs of life but she never gives up on anything. You would see her weep but you'll hear no complain. She remains strong inspite of many trials. It is her joy to see her kids pursuing their goals and finishing college.
With God's help she was able to fulfill her dreams; Jean graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Jannet has a degree in Mass Communications, Jovit with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Guiller finished a degree in Criminology.
A disciplinarian, a tough mom, a heroine for her kids, a superwoman who will do everything within her powers for the people she loves. The pain of her kids are her own pain, their battles are her own battles, fears are her own fears, prayers are her own prayers too, and their happiness is an accomplishment for her.
She was a mother willing to sacrifice her life and her own happiness just so her kids would be okay. She was selfless. She may not be vocal but like an eagle she would do her best for her family to soar high.
A grandmother who would never get tired of singing sweet lullaby, a playmate for Prinze, Miguel, and Angelica. A lola who would savor every minute with her grand children because she was not able to spend more time with her own kids when she became a widow.
Emma has taken good care of so many people, her husband, her kids, siblings and her grandchildren yet she never wanted to be taken care of.
Even to the last minute she is a pillar of strength always praying and hoping for her speedy recovery because she still wanted to be of service to her family.
She has experienced different chapters of life; its hills and valleys yet she has no idea of what retirement and rest are all about till the last chapter has ended.
As always and forever she dedicates her life for her FAMILY.
May her soul find the kind of peace that a loving mom and grandmother truly deserves.
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