Mama, my hero…Good evening and Aloha! In behalf of the Herrera family, my family, please accept my heartfelt Mahalo to everyone who are assembled here tonight to join us and offer our thoughts and prayers in the memory of our mother, Josefa Ceres Herrera. We take comfort knowing that she is in heaven right now, watching over us. I would like to make special mention and recognize Pastor Jim Todd and his daughter, Michelle, who graciously came from the mainland to attend my mother’s funeral service. I can tell that Papa Apolinar is very happy and greatly honored to see you here with us tonight. Let me share with you the reality of what life was like for Mama and the family since she suffered a life sustaining stroke that made her bedridden for 15 years - from early January 2003 until her death on February 12, 2018. Of course, nobody suffered more than Mama through those years, but our Papa, was definitely second. We all shared my mother’s pain. It was like we were all on trial. At any one point, as a family, we were in denial, or we were depressed. And there were conflicts. We didn’t always agree with each other on a course of action. It was a confusing time. However, in the end, we felt that we all put up a good fight. We did what we could do. Her life on earth left us with countless happy memories and some of which I’d like to share with you. Mama was born on January 18, 1926. She was raised by her maternal grandmother, Lola Simeona, who was overly protective and spoiled her a lot. She and Papa grew up from the same neighborhood in the town of Camalig, Province of Albay, in the Bicol Region located at the southern area of the island of Luzon, the biggest of more than seven-thousand islands in the Philippines. It is home of the famous, almost perfectly cone shaped volcano named Mayon. Before Mama came to Hawaii when she was 48 years old, in late October 1973, she was dearly called Manay Epang by our younger relatives, Aling Epang by her friends, and then Josefa by her friends here in America. And to her children, she has always been lovingly called Mama.One month after she arrived in Hawaii, she found her first ever paid employment as a seamstress at Wong’s Drapery Store in Beretania Street. In such a short time, she diligently became an expert seamstress. She was well liked by her employer and co-workers. She dutifully and skillfully performed the same job at Wong’s Drapery until she retired in December 1990.Papa and Mama would never admit who pursued whom during their courtship. When asked, one would point to the other as the pursuer. But of course, I have learned over the years that each one had pursued the other as evidenced by their love for each other. And the evidence shows - over seventy-two years of wedded bliss! Their union produced two sons, nine daughters, and sadly, a miscarriage. It was just as sad when Arceli, the first born among the daughters, passed away at a very young age. Arceli caught pneumonia when she was 8 months old and had never recovered from the illness. Growing up a spoiled child, Mama did not know anything about her job as homemaker, mother, and wife. However, she learned quickly and excelled in all these jobs. Her main hobbies were to keep our house always tidy, and to cook delicious meals for us. She also enjoyed collecting food coupons to supplement the family income. And she was exceptionally an expert with the family budget. Mama held the family together and made a very loving home for us. She raised each of us devotedly to the best that each of us can be. Mama had given so much love to each of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and of course to Papa.Mama, your children honor you so dearly, for bringing us into this world, and for all the sacrifices and all the good things that you did for each of us. You and Papa are the only reason why we are what we are now. We have been good, we have attained modest successes, and above all, we have truly learned from you ab
