Trip to Bicol

Just got back from a trip to Bicol (Bulan in particular) to attend the funeral of Papay Etong Lopez, husband of Auntie Feling Ginete-Lopez. It was of course an instant reunion time with many of the Ginete family members in attendance. In the pic you'll see (from L-R, front row), Manoy Arthur, me, Manoy Dagoy, Auntie Feling, Bing Ginete Valdez and Manang Mildred, cousins from La Union, Manay Nola Ginete and husband Manoy Ben. At the back (L-R), Manoy Pancho, Michelle, Manay Salem, Bong Ginete's youngest son, Manay Eden, Manoy Bando, Marife, Bong Ginete and wife May, Bing's hubby, Aris, Manay Pin (wife of Manoy Dan), and Manay Titang (widow of Manoy Bimbong Ginete).

It's a big family all right. And we did not disappoint someone like Auntie Feling who would be very appreciative of relatives coming to her at this time. The last night of the wake started with an outdoor Mass by a priest-friend of the family's. They said that there have been a numebr of Masses held since the wake started. The crowd attending the Mass was huge. It seemed all of zone 4 in Bulan (Chito's bailiwick) was in that area. And the food...

Food was in great abundance, proof I guess that a lot of people cared for Papay Etong and showed appreciation for what he has done when he was alive. I heard from Chito Belmonte, Auntie Feling's son-in-law and Mary Ann's hubby, that many fishermen who were their customers sent in a lot of their catch. It was a heartwarming show of appreciation.

We, the Ginete side of the population, also showed up in droves. For the first time in 5 years, I saw again a lot of my relatives: Patching, Manay Daday, Manays Norma, Nacy, Papay Pepe, and a lot more.

The funeral mass on April 21st also was well attended up until the time whe the casket was lowered to the ground. This picture was taken right after the funeral where we had to pay our respects to Auntie Feling, Chito, Mary Ann and the family.