18 responses to Oscar N. Salunga

1. 

   Nette DeLeon says:

   July 24, 2014

   Like I’ve said before, “Lolo was not just a great man…He was the BEST man.” Those who have crossed his path couldn’t help but adore him. What’s there not to adore? He showed me what unconditional love was all about. I felt that, in his eyes, we could do no wrong. He never judged. He just loved. Through everything, he kept his wit and sense of humor. Like Mick said, it was always the “Lolo versus Lola” show, and it was far more entertaining than anything you’ll find on television. Rather than arguing back, he’d call Lola “beautiful”. Sarcastic, you think? No, he meant it. Love just radiated off him.

   I think the joy that most grandparents have is that they can love and spoil their grandkids, and then give them back to their parents at the end of the day. I spent a great chunk of my life living with Lolo. Haha..he couldn’t give me back! He couldn’t give US back…my cousins and I were always there. When we were in elementary school, he prepared our lunches, took us to school, and picked us up. If we forgot our homework at home, he would bring it to school for us. If I decided I wasn’t feeling good that day (yes, I was one of those), Lolo would pick me up. Lolo played a big part in raising us. And he did it willingly, with no complaint. Instead, with a smile. That’s how he lived: no complaint, just a smile.

   Thank you, Lolo, for everything. For being you. For loving me unconditionally. For taking care of our family. You are everything that that I want to be. I’m so glad that you were able to meet my youngest, Nathan aka your “atan atan”. You made him smile just as much as he made YOU smile. I can’t fathom you not being here in physical presence; to console me as you used to, when no one else would attempt it. Your voice always made everything better, and I will miss it.

   I’m sure you’re happy where you’re at, with your buddy St. Peter. You can eat what you want now Lolo…no one will tell you otherwise. I hope there’s a heavenly casino up there for you, too. And, I know you’re watching over all of us. Please visit me in my dreams sometime. I’d love to see you. This will not be the end of my conversations with you…I’ll make sure to chat with you all the time because I know you’re listening. Put in a good word for me with “the big guy”, so that when my time comes I’ll be able to run into your arms. I love you more than you know.

   Love your oldest granddaughter,
   Nette

   PS- Say HI to Apu for me…and to all my loved ones in Heaven.

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2. 

   Bryan Ramos says:

   July 25, 2014

   Well said, cousin!

   Reply
3. 

   Joy P. Salunga says:

   July 25, 2014

   If I had to do my life over, I’d still choose you to be my father-in-law, my dad & my friend! I’m happy to call youTang!!

   Dear Tang,

   Farewell & I love you Tang!

   I’m sorry I can’t be there for your wake, viewing, interment and stand at your grave and weep. You know what’s in my heart…

   I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for us and for all the times you were by our sides to help & support us, to celebrate our success and understand our problems.
   I’m so happy to call you TANG and proud to be your daughter-in-law. Your love for us has always been pure & you always treated me as your own daughter. Losing you now is sad but, we all know that you’re now in God’s hands.

   Thank you for giving me a chance to take care of you during your brief stay here in Manila & Dau. I wish I could have a magic wand to take your cancer pain away. An angel whispered to me that I have to send you back to U.S. to be with the rest of our family. There isn’t much that I can do but send you back. I asked the help of Ate Pre to convince Ma to fly you back to U.S. earlier than planned. I’m glad I did!! You were surrounded by more love & prayers by our family and friends during your last few weeks here on earth.

   I know your body is gone but you’re still here in our hearts. You’re now in the hands of the Lord, no pain nor sorrows. Please say hi to my mom & dad when you meet them in heaven. Please tell them I miss & love them.

   Farewell Tang….Till we meet again….I love you & will sorely miss you!!

   Love,

   JOY

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4. 

   Mica Salunga says:

   July 25, 2014

   Lolo I am greatly privileged to have been able to share my life with a great man like you. Thank you for teaching us that, even through the toughest time, one shouldn’t simply just complain and give up, rather, be positive and go through it with a smile.

   Even when he was already feeling ill with all that was thrown at him from diabetes, alzheimer’s, to cancer, he was still able to smile and make us laugh with his great sense of humor. Even up to the last moments talking to him through video chat before he passed, lolo was still able to give us his heartwarming smile and also wave us goodbye. Lolo was always so loving and so gentle. Every time we would come over to visit, he would always say that all his grand kids are so beautiful and so handsome, and of course, we all got it from you lolo. Thank you for being such an inspiration to us, thank you for being wonderful, and thank you for being you. I willl always admire your strengths, and the way you smiled your way through all the difficulties. We all love you lolo, you will be forever in my heart.

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5. 

   Precy Kersten says:

   July 25, 2014

   I am grateful to God that he restored my father’s mind right after his endoscopy. Prior to that, he did not even remember the names of some of his children, grandchildren, and relatives. If somebody asked him, “Who am I?” If you are a female his answer was, “You are Maria” and if you are a male, he’ll say you’re Pedro.

   Even in the sorrow and the difficulty of watching my father’s health deteriorate, even in the pain and heartache of knowing what was to lie ahead, I could not help but reflect on the Grace and Mercy that the Lord already had shown by the restoration of his memory and mind. My dad’s humor, his light, his memory was a gift in the last days, and I thank Christ Jesus for the gift of this time with my dad for it certainly would be a much harder and difficult time without the miracle of the healing of his Alzheimer’s.

   Upon learning his condition, the house was continuously crowded with visiting friends and relatives. I was there when Auntie Benen and family visited. He recognized my cousin Mel and asked her if she has gotten rich and addressed my Auntie as Madonna, a nickname given to her a while back. Bruce was Bruce Lee to him, my Aunt Lolita was Lolita Rodriguez, and Uncle Art was Rogel De La Rosa. He always kept his sense of humor.

   I spent a lot of quality time with him and we had many conversations. It was almost like the good old days. He never ever complained about pain relating to his condition. He always said he was alright and not to worry about him, that he was fighting for my mother and his family. He frequently asked me if I was okay, knowing that I have esophagus problems.

   The following day, I contacted the church and arranged for my father to receive his Last Rights. Father Greg annointed him and the following Sunday, Father Thomas visited him, and he was annointed again. He also participated in our nightly rosary vigils.

   On July 15, the hospice doctor told me that my father did not have much time left that we can say our goodbyes, that although his eyes were closed, he could still hear us. On the morning of July 17, I called my friend, Sylvia, to pray over my father. My two sisters, Lou and Teresa, and my three sisters-in-law, Oly, Gigi, and Cates, participated. We prayed and took turns reading Bible verses both in Kapampangan and English. As I was reading, one hand was holding the Bible and my other hand was holding my father’s hand. He squeezed my hand once in a while so I knew he was listening. When we finished, I stayed with him and whispered in his ears, asking him if he heard us praying, reading, and singing. In reply, he nodded. I felt satisfied that he now seemed to be ready.

   Later that afternoon, my father passed, surround by his family, relatives, and some friends. Feeling vacant and empty as I sat on the couch by my cousin, Yola, I saw a very bright, white light descending upon my father’s body. I could not see the source of the light. Then, it was followed by another light which apparently my cousin noticed because she turned to me and asked, “What was that, Pre?” I replied, “I don’t know.” The lights then disappeared. In Isaiah 60:1, “Arise, Shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you.”

   The number of people that visited my father when he was sick and the people that prayed for him the number of people that joined the vigil with the family and your presence here today is a testimony on how he lived his life. We saw what kind of man my father was through the love and support of other people. Love dominated his life. I love you, Tang. You will always be remembered. Go in peace.

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