How can the strength, loving heart, and resilience of the Filipino woman be best defined?

Admittedly, my opinion is biased —but, for us, this is by remembering Mama.

A line from the Holy Bible, from the Book of Proverbs says it all. “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies” (3:10).

Mama was a ruby beyond price. She won’t just sparkle, she will shine in our hearts —and our memories— forevermore.

I won’t ever say goodbye to her. She never left. She lives! God in His infinite mercy and love took her soul, wearied by caring, and many sorrows, and made it whole, vibrant —and young— again.

Papa, who came home from war and a Japanese prison camp, left us to Mama’s care —a brood of nine small children. On his dying day he reminded us: “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”

Mama taught us to pray, but beyond that to strive and to dare.

In the last years of the war and enemy occupation, she was in the underground in Ilocos Sur.

When Liberation came, the Americans provided “back pay” to Filipino guerillas and the fighters in the resistance.

Somebody had forged Mama’s signature on the “back pay” roster and collected what had been earmarked for her —literally robbing a widow and orphans, I’m tempted to say, but this sounds overdramatic.

Mama didn’t even shed a tear over this misfortune.

Sure, we could have used the “pay,” but she had never fought for money. She said to me: “Son, remember this —you never put a price tag on what you do for our country.”

A ruby beyond price.

This is why, in our family, we rejoice in remembering Mama. In doing so, our tears, if you glimpse them, are a manifestation of joy.

Thanks to the prodding of Mama’s first grandchild, now proudly a Jesuit priest as she had prayed for, Fr. Luis Soliven David, S.J., Mama wrote her story, dedicated to our Papa, Benito T. Soliven, and to us, her sometimes wayward kids.

My sister, Mercy, helped put together this little book.

We hope to share it with you.
———Max V. Soliven

NBS

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