Last July 7, 2013 , my mother died because colon cancer with 9 months suffering. After her death we saw a hand written note containing her biography which she wrote last April - May 2013.
My mother used a mix of English and Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) in her biography.
I was born on October 18, 1955 at Feliza, Bacolod City with my parents Maximino Pama Jr. of Feliza, Bacolod City and Renita Bajada Pama of Pan-ay, Capiz. In 1961, I started my primary education at Feliza Elementary School. In 1963 we moved to Brgy. 6, Banga, South Cotabato. There, I quit my schooling, we stayed at Papang’s relatives, the Britania family. In 1964, we transferred again to Brgy. San Miguel, Norala, South Cotabato where I continued my Grade III up to Grade V. In 1967, because of unfavorable situation there in Brgy. San Miguel, we moved again to Lebak, North Cotabato, we stayed at the eldest sister of Manang Adelina Bajada Bueno, we stayed at Brgy. Kalamansig, Lebak, North Cotabato, where Papang engaged in carpentry. Brgy Kalamansig is 3kms away from the town of Lebak, North Cotabato, after few months we transfered to Lebak town proper, where Papang took a little sari-sari store aside of carpentry. We continued our studies together with my sisters (and brother) Nene Elenor, Noel and Honeylee at Salaman Elementary School. I graduated my elementary at Salaman Elementary School with honors. I started my High School at Notre Dame of Salaman. During my teenage years, I enjoyed the company of my cousins Inday Wilma and Neneng Matilde whom Inday Wilma is my favorite cousin and close companion wherever she may go. Neneng Matilde later married and died at young age.
In 1969- 70 there was a civilian war between Christians and Muslims in Northern Mindanao, we evacuated at the nearest relatives, then in 1971 we journeyed back to Brgy Feliza, Bacolod City and I continued my High School at Villamonte High School, (at) Bacolod City where I stayed working at Mamang’s aunt Tyay Elvira Baniel Solis, after my second year we transferred to Brgy Haba, Candoni, Negros Occidental, where Papang worked as the encargado of Jovito Sayson sugar farm land at Brgy Haba. There I continued my third year high school at Our Lady of Lourdes High School. I experienced very poor in living, I worked on the sugarcane farm Friday to Saturday just to have a sort of money for my schooling. Brgy Haba is 5kms away from Candoni and we walked it morning and afternoon together with my sisters and brother. In 1974 I graduated with honors at Our Lady of Lourdes High School. Because of financial constraints; I was not able to pursue my college. I engaged in dress making and at the same time I helped my parents at the farm.
In 1975 December 29, I got married to Rafael (Tikboy) Bautista Priolo of Brgy Ma-ao Bago City, who was working at Dacongcogon Sugar Mill, Tabugon, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.
On May 17, 1977 my first daughter was born named Flora May (Ging2x) at Brgy Feliza, Bacolod City (and) without the presence of her father because he was called to work, my Autie(s), Tyay Consing and Tyay Hermania assisted me.
On November 28, 1979, my second daughter was born named Bejie or Girlie at the Provincial Hospital or Corazon Locsin Memorial Hospital. (Later,) We stayed and permanently built our home at May-ang Haba, where Cheery or Avic my 3rd daughter was born there. Later the two children were already gone for school, so we decided to build again our house at the proper Haba, where the 3 other children were born in Brgy Haba through the help of midwife, (my children were) Nday Lovely, Toto Neil and Rhea Socorro or Bebe.
In 1989 we (were) converted in(to) Seventh Day Adventist, a Christian religion which bring me up to strengthen my children into a true faith, every sunset or before we sleep I encouraged them nga magpanimalay or we dedicate our spiritual lives to Jesus.
My daughters and son, are very respectful to each other even though there father visited us only every 15 days or a month (being a mother) I impose discipline (to) them so that they may a (be) good children in the future (with) my teachings, the values I taught them and the Christian foundation made them a very positive (individual).
Thanks (you) very much for my husband who sacrifices (with) me in my deepest moment.
Thanks God for all the blessings You gave us, through our strengths, ambitions, hardships and determination we all able to send them (children) into school, the Our lady of Lourdes High school then to Colegio San Agustin- Bacolod where the six of them attain the profession they dreamed of.
My dreams come true with God beside me. I was able to bring my children into a life full of remembrance and encouragement and a fruitful life.
To my beloved children, today and I face between life and death, I struggle of my sickness, the pain I’ve encountered day and night, I don’t know it might be today, tomorrow (that) God will took away your “Nanay”. I struggle just to see my grown up Apo’s, my prayer is to extend my life (for) my son and daughters whom I loved the most. “Lord Jesus, increase my faith everyday that in the face of persecution and even death I will continue to remain on your side.”
The gift of perseverance which You give me o Lord, the profession of my loving daughters and son is just to remind me the bounty and abundance of Your goodness in life. Salamat sa imo Gino-o sa pihak sa tanan nga pagtilaw sa akon kabuhi, kun ini kabubut-on mo ibilin ko sila sa imo nga mangin mayo nga anak sang Gino-o, mayo nga produkto sang mag-asawa nga Belen kag Tikboy. Palangga ko ang akon bana kag kabataan.
Kay Tikboy akon bana ang bilin ko lamang palangga-a ang imo mga kabataan kag apo, kag magpormal sa imo kabuhi, dula-a ang sigarilyo, inom kun wala na ako.
Kay Ging-ging, Bejie, Avic, Nday, Toto, kag Bebe, palangga kamo tanan ni Nanay, bisan ato na ako sa pihak nga kabuhi labi na sa akon mga kaapohan, Axyl, Micoy, Jpoy, Jloy, Bibo, Kaye, Beboy kag Issay sa inyo pagdalagko indi ko na kamo makita. Palangga ko kamo tanan.
Sa akon mga kauturan, salamat gid sang inyo pagbulig sa akon, ilabi na kay Nene Elenor, kay Neneng Elsie kay Bobo kag kay Meme kag Dodoy, Miranda nga naga-supporta gd moral kag financial sang tion nga yara ako sa ital-ital nga sitwasyon. Kay Mamang bisan tigulang na apang wala nagakapoy sa pagserbisyo sa iya anak kay Boy, Bbing ,Leling salamat man sa inyo. Gina pasalamatan kag naga duyaw gd ako sa kaayo ni Miranda kag ni Dodoy nga nagabulig guid sa akon, kay Hermie kag Neneng man indi ko gd malipatan ang inyo kayo kag sa pagbulig man sa akon kag sa mga kabataan. Si Narciso kag Meme and kaayo sang inyo spiritual advice kag Christian teachings nga naga pahagan-hagan sang akon masakit nga balatyagon. Sang tion nga gnadulaan ako paglaum yara kamo nga mag-asawas si Meme kag Narciso nga ga-support gd prayers sa pagpabaskog sa akon.
Bisan yara na ako sa pihak nga kinabuhi, indi ko gd malipatan ang inyo kaayo, ilabi nag gd si Nene Elenor, nga isa man sang utod ko nga nangin foundation sa pag-eskwela sadto sang akon mga kabataan indi mabayaran ang inyo kaayo kag wala gd ako makabati sa iya masakit nga sugilanon, bisan madamo na siya kwarta ka very understanding gd kay Nene. Ang pag-estar ni Avic kag Nday sa inyo, libre nga pagkaon kag bhaus daku nga kabalaslan na nakatapos sila.
Mga anak ko, utod ko, kag iloy ko, mga apo ko kag bana, palangga ko kamo tanan bisan yara na ako sa pihak nga kinabuhi.
Ginapatawad ko na ang tanan nga nakasala sa akon kay bisan ako napun-an man sang sala, gane kabay ang Diyos magpatawad man sa akon, hugot ang akon pagtugyan sa imo Gino-o.
Love
Nanay/ Inday Belen
"Nanay I miss you, you know how much I love you. You are the one who always believe that I can fly and soar higher. The awards that I received are always for you and for God. And I thank you for always guiding us and bringing us closer to God."
A Mother Story
I was born on October 18, 1955 at Feliza, Bacolod City with my parents Maximino Pama Jr. of Feliza, Bacolod City and Renita Bajada Pama of Pan-ay, Capiz. In 1961, I started my primary education at Feliza Elementary School. In 1963 we moved to Brgy. 6, Banga, South Cotabato. There, I quit my schooling, we stayed at Papang’s relatives, the Britania family. In 1964, we transferred again to Brgy. San Miguel, Norala, South Cotabato where I continued my Grade III up to Grade V. In 1967, because of unfavorable situation there in Brgy. San Miguel, we moved again to Lebak, North Cotabato, we stayed at the eldest sister of Manang Adelina Bajada Bueno, we stayed at Brgy. Kalamansig, Lebak, North Cotabato, where Papang engaged in carpentry. Brgy Kalamansig is 3kms away from the town of Lebak, North Cotabato, after few months we transfered to Lebak town proper, where Papang took a little sari-sari store aside of carpentry. We continued our studies together with my sisters (and brother) Nene Elenor, Noel and Honeylee at Salaman Elementary School. I graduated my elementary at Salaman Elementary School with honors. I started my High School at Notre Dame of Salaman. During my teenage years, I enjoyed the company of my cousins Inday Wilma and Neneng Matilde whom Inday Wilma is my favorite cousin and close companion wherever she may go. Neneng Matilde later married and died at young age.
In 1969- 70 there was a civilian war between Christians and Muslims in Northern Mindanao, we evacuated at the nearest relatives, then in 1971 we journeyed back to Brgy Feliza, Bacolod City and I continued my High School at Villamonte High School, (at) Bacolod City where I stayed working at Mamang’s aunt Tyay Elvira Baniel Solis, after my second year we transferred to Brgy Haba, Candoni, Negros Occidental, where Papang worked as the encargado of Jovito Sayson sugar farm land at Brgy Haba. There I continued my third year high school at Our Lady of Lourdes High School. I experienced very poor in living, I worked on the sugarcane farm Friday to Saturday just to have a sort of money for my schooling. Brgy Haba is 5kms away from Candoni and we walked it morning and afternoon together with my sisters and brother. In 1974 I graduated with honors at Our Lady of Lourdes High School. Because of financial constraints; I was not able to pursue my college. I engaged in dress making and at the same time I helped my parents at the farm.
In 1975 December 29, I got married to Rafael (Tikboy) Bautista Priolo of Brgy Ma-ao Bago City, who was working at Dacongcogon Sugar Mill, Tabugon, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.
On May 17, 1977 my first daughter was born named Flora May (Ging2x) at Brgy Feliza, Bacolod City (and) without the presence of her father because he was called to work, my Autie(s), Tyay Consing and Tyay Hermania assisted me.
On November 28, 1979, my second daughter was born named Bejie or Girlie at the Provincial Hospital or Corazon Locsin Memorial Hospital. (Later,) We stayed and permanently built our home at May-ang Haba, where Cheery or Avic my 3rd daughter was born there. Later the two children were already gone for school, so we decided to build again our house at the proper Haba, where the 3 other children were born in Brgy Haba through the help of midwife, (my children were) Nday Lovely, Toto Neil and Rhea Socorro or Bebe.
In 1989 we (were) converted in(to) Seventh Day Adventist, a Christian religion which bring me up to strengthen my children into a true faith, every sunset or before we sleep I encouraged them nga magpanimalay or we dedicate our spiritual lives to Jesus.
My daughters and son, are very respectful to each other even though there father visited us only every 15 days or a month (being a mother) I impose discipline (to) them so that they may a (be) good children in the future (with) my teachings, the values I taught them and the Christian foundation made them a very positive (individual).
Thanks (you) very much for my husband who sacrifices (with) me in my deepest moment.
Thanks God for all the blessings You gave us, through our strengths, ambitions, hardships and determination we all able to send them (children) into school, the Our lady of Lourdes High school then to Colegio San Agustin- Bacolod where the six of them attain the profession they dreamed of.
My dreams come true with God beside me. I was able to bring my children into a life full of remembrance and encouragement and a fruitful life.
To my beloved children, today and I face between life and death, I struggle of my sickness, the pain I’ve encountered day and night, I don’t know it might be today, tomorrow (that) God will took away your “Nanay”. I struggle just to see my grown up Apo’s, my prayer is to extend my life (for) my son and daughters whom I loved the most. “Lord Jesus, increase my faith everyday that in the face of persecution and even death I will continue to remain on your side.”
The gift of perseverance which You give me o Lord, the profession of my loving daughters and son is just to remind me the bounty and abundance of Your goodness in life. Salamat sa imo Gino-o sa pihak sa tanan nga pagtilaw sa akon kabuhi, kun ini kabubut-on mo ibilin ko sila sa imo nga mangin mayo nga anak sang Gino-o, mayo nga produkto sang mag-asawa nga Belen kag Tikboy. Palangga ko ang akon bana kag kabataan.
Kay Tikboy akon bana ang bilin ko lamang palangga-a ang imo mga kabataan kag apo, kag magpormal sa imo kabuhi, dula-a ang sigarilyo, inom kun wala na ako.
Kay Ging-ging, Bejie, Avic, Nday, Toto, kag Bebe, palangga kamo tanan ni Nanay, bisan ato na ako sa pihak nga kabuhi labi na sa akon mga kaapohan, Axyl, Micoy, Jpoy, Jloy, Bibo, Kaye, Beboy kag Issay sa inyo pagdalagko indi ko na kamo makita. Palangga ko kamo tanan.
Sa akon mga kauturan, salamat gid sang inyo pagbulig sa akon, ilabi na kay Nene Elenor, kay Neneng Elsie kay Bobo kag kay Meme kag Dodoy, Miranda nga naga-supporta gd moral kag financial sang tion nga yara ako sa ital-ital nga sitwasyon. Kay Mamang bisan tigulang na apang wala nagakapoy sa pagserbisyo sa iya anak kay Boy, Bbing ,Leling salamat man sa inyo. Gina pasalamatan kag naga duyaw gd ako sa kaayo ni Miranda kag ni Dodoy nga nagabulig guid sa akon, kay Hermie kag Neneng man indi ko gd malipatan ang inyo kayo kag sa pagbulig man sa akon kag sa mga kabataan. Si Narciso kag Meme and kaayo sang inyo spiritual advice kag Christian teachings nga naga pahagan-hagan sang akon masakit nga balatyagon. Sang tion nga gnadulaan ako paglaum yara kamo nga mag-asawas si Meme kag Narciso nga ga-support gd prayers sa pagpabaskog sa akon.
Bisan yara na ako sa pihak nga kinabuhi, indi ko gd malipatan ang inyo kaayo, ilabi nag gd si Nene Elenor, nga isa man sang utod ko nga nangin foundation sa pag-eskwela sadto sang akon mga kabataan indi mabayaran ang inyo kaayo kag wala gd ako makabati sa iya masakit nga sugilanon, bisan madamo na siya kwarta ka very understanding gd kay Nene. Ang pag-estar ni Avic kag Nday sa inyo, libre nga pagkaon kag bhaus daku nga kabalaslan na nakatapos sila.
Mga anak ko, utod ko, kag iloy ko, mga apo ko kag bana, palangga ko kamo tanan bisan yara na ako sa pihak nga kinabuhi.
Ginapatawad ko na ang tanan nga nakasala sa akon kay bisan ako napun-an man sang sala, gane kabay ang Diyos magpatawad man sa akon, hugot ang akon pagtugyan sa imo Gino-o.
“God help me to trust You more than with my daily struggles. Help me fight my battles, for nothing is too difficult for you.”
Love
Nanay/ Inday Belen