When I was around 6 or 7 years old, I remember the slow, blissful days with my family when we were all still living back in Irisan. I especially remember the times when Lola cooked us breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She had always made sure that we ate healthy just like how she ate healthy back then. Everyday, she would always have my siblings and I drink plenty of milk and eat plenty of vegetables. If we wanted burgers, for example, she would add in minced carrots or malunggay to the burger patties. If we asked for bulalo or nilaga, she would add plenty of pechay. Basically for every single recipe, she always had something healthy to add. And being the picky kids my siblings and I were, she would always say the angels would cry if we didn’t finish everything on our plate. We believed her, of course, and so we tried to eat every vegetable and every grain of rice in the end.

There were also times when I asked to help her prep the food, and she would then patiently explain to my very young self what each of the vegetables are healthy for while our hands were moving. Like how paminta and luya are good for the throat and our voice, or like how ampalaya is good for the heart and is a great antioxidant. It was during those days that she demonstrated confidence and great knowledge about many things, and I remember admiring her as a kid and secretly strived to become as knowledgeable as her one day. 

Looking back at it now, she had made cooking seem magical. She had taught me to enjoy the little things in life, and she was one of the main reasons why I became the way I am now. 

To my lola in heaven, I am very grateful for the patience, kindness, and wholeheartedness you had when you took care of us. I am also very grateful for all the knowledge you imparted with us, and we’ll certainly try not to make the angels cry. We will miss you. And we love you very much. 

Mrs. Charito Etulle was one of the founding members of PARP-Baguio City (Professors Association for the Research of Principles) during the mid-1980s. Together with the late Dr. Tim Tellez (Dean of College of Education/Univ. of Baguio) and the other core PARP members, they actively supported CARP student activities in Baguio City, as well as regular church activities.

In May 1992, when my daughter, Janelle was born, she voluntarily helped our young couple, take care of Janelle, as we were not yet familiar with taking care of a new born baby. In between her classes at the university, she will come to the Center bringing food and other baby items. She will help bathe and clean the baby, as well as, guide my wife on how to care for the child. It is this simple and motherly act of hers, that made her and the entire Etulle family close to our hearts.

Throughout the years that followed, although we were already in Malaysia, we continue to get in touch with one another from time to time, via long-distance call, email or messenger.

My wife Hana and I have always dreamed of coming back to Baguio City and reuniting with her and family, which we hope will happen next year. But then God has other plans for her ….

We will always cherish the past memories with her. And the Etulle family will always be a part of our extended family.

We pray she will have a happy journey back to Heavenly Father’s bosom.