Melaney Ha'o-Bergado
My deepest condolences to Manong Erning, Manang Feli and your Families for the loss of a Beautiful, Loving, Wise and Patient Mother, Grandmother and Matriarch. There are so many words that describe Auntie Ura or, as many of you know her, Inay. At least one word from each of the letters in the alphabet...A through Z!One memory of Auntie that I will not, and cannot forget, was of her taking out her dentures, in front of me and all those around, and giving us the biggest smile! Auntie’s smile was always from ear-to-ear and you could see her smile in her eyes. Trivia: Auntie Ura was the one who taught me how to properly wash oily-plastic containers: under hot running water with lots of soap! If Auntie asked you to do something for her, that meant that you dropped what you were doing and did as she asked...real quick! How could you not? Auntie’s personality and demeanor commanded RESPECT!Auntie was not one to hold back when she needed to tell you something. Auntie spoke her mind and if you really listened, not just “heardâ€, you realised that what she had to say or what she needed to tell you, was for the benefit of all involved.Yes, Auntie, may have yelled at you...but, she LOVED you! Yes, Auntie may have cursed at you...but, she LOVED you! Yes, Auntie may have thrown her sinelas at you to get your attention, but, she LOVED you!I last saw Auntie in 2015. We had not seen each other in years. I was way older, my hair was buzzed and bleached and yet, when I asked her who I was, she remembered me as “Miling’s daughter, Melaâ€! At that time, she was still sewing and stitching and SHE. DID. NOT. NEED. GLASSES! That really blew me away! Speaking of her sewing and her stitching, Auntie’s creations were beautiful and she was proud and generous with them.Auntie Ura was venerable and will forever live on in My Memory and My Heart!I Love You, Auntie! Mela