A poem excerpt quote for my favourite Filipino teacher:

Sa dilim ng kamangmangan, ang isip ko nang mamulat,
ang kuko ng kamalia’y nakita kong umiilag…
… Nguni, bakit kaya baga sa ganyan nang bisa’t lakas
ng kaya ko’y tila pa rin hangal akong lumalabas?
… Kaya, Tao: dumunong man, magpalalo’y di ka dapat,
Pagka’t walang karunungang di may hangga at kasukat.

Mula sa Ako si Dunong (Sino ka? Ako’y si… 60 Sagot ng mga Tula) ni Lope K Santos, 1946.

Rest in peace po, thank you for sharing the beauty of our language, and God bless your family.

Anna S Torres
Maryknoll Class 84

Growing up people always made the comment that I don't look like my parents, but most like my Lola Lyn. It didn't bother me; my Lola was a teacher and a writer - who knew I would begin to follow in her footsteps. I was not only her granddaughter, but secretary at times who typed out her emails to all of her students. Not only did I learn Tagalog from this, but I learned how to decode her hard-to-read cursive. She cared a lot for her students and every email and letter was written with love. She was strict at times...but a strong figure in raising my siblings and cousins and I, even from another country. We love and miss her, but I am happy she is with Lolo Ding now...and neighbors with Lola Vhie again :)

I have known Tita Lynn for almost as long as I have known Celine. I remember her most as a strong, caring, fun loving mom. I feel a hole knowing that she is gone, yet also feeling a sense of peace knowing that she is on her joyful journey back to the Lord and her beloved husband. I pray for your Tita Lynn and Tito Ding and for all her family. You shall be missed. Rest now Tita Lynn.

It rained hail yesterday in California. This brought a smile on our otherwise grieving period. I felt that you were with Him and said they needed that. Thank you!- Cristina

Mahal naming Ms. Erlinda Restituto,

Marami pong salamat sa lahat ng panahon na ginugol ninyo sa pagturo sa amin ng Filipino Naaalala ko kayo bilang isang masipag, mahusay, responsable, at "gentle" na guro sa Maryknoll High School. Kabilang po ako sa mga estudyante ninyo sa Maryknoll High School Batch 1972. Dahil tinitingalaan ko kayo bilang guro noon, naaalala ko po na inanyayahan ko pa kayong sumama sa isang talakayan kung saan pinag-usapan ang pinangangambahang pagdedeklara ng batas militar. At naging totoo nga po ang pagdedeklara noong Setyembre 1972.

Ayon sa isa kong kaklase, kayo ay isang istrikto subali't "gentle" na guro. Ayon sa isa ko pang kaklase, naaalala niya kayo sa mga kuwento tungkol sa mga "dwendeng nagsasayaw habang nakapaligid sa apoy" sa inyong bahay (nang kayo ay maliit pa). Bagama't 'di ko ito tuwirang narinig mula sa inyo, lubos kong nauunawaan ang ganitong uri ng mga kuwento. Sa loob ng isang linggo, ang aming pamilya ay nakaranas din ng mga karanasang paranormal, na nabigyan ng kalutasan ng mga Spirit Questors dalawang dekada na ang nakaraan.

Nawa'y masaya na kayong magkapiling ni Ginoong Restituto sa araw ng inyong anibersaryo. Maligayang Anibersaryo po sa inyo!

Nagmamahal,

Maria Cristina (Tina) Pargas-Bawagan
MCHS, Batch 1972

Today is a day that people don't want to see their loved ones leave this earth. Hi! My name is Kirby Ngo. I'm the husband of Cristina Restituto, Erlinda’s youngest daughter. I would like to share my personal and family relationship within my mother-in-law. Before I start my testimonial, I would like to say thank to everyone who are participating or reading everyone’s messages to her. I met my mother in law only a few days before the wedding day. She resided in the Philippines while my fiancée, her daughter and I at that time lived here in the US. I already knew that my mother-in-law was a Filipino teacher. I thought that that it would be easy to get to know her since I speak the language. When I started having a conversation with her, I didn’t think that I should be watching my grammar. Back then I didn’t realize that her mastery of the language was profound and that I wasn’t even close to speaking it correctly. I never felt that she looked down on me because I speak “baluktot” or what we call lousy Tagalog. She never corrected me. When I talked to her she appeared relaxed and listened to everything I said. She was open to any kinds of stories and doesn’t pass judgement on her crazy son in law. I guess, I can say now that I did pass her standards. As proof I am now the husband of Cristina. As time went on, I had to remind myself that I shouldn’t be joking around with her all the time since she may think it’s disrespectful. But after a few years, I started feeling more comfortable and accepted by her and the rest of the family. When we’d call her, we would tell jokes and she would share a new word in Tagalog for me to learn. I loved laughing with her. And I can say we got along quite well. I do miss my mother in law especially the joke time and discussing serious matters in life. Two days ago, one of her former students called the siblings on FB and I heard her talk about my mother-in-law. She remembers how most of them hated learning Filipino but because she always had stories to tell, they learned to appreciate the subject and looked forward to every class. They’ve kept in touch and always included her in their class reunions. I was overwhelmed by how she described her fondly and realized how she touched a lot of her students. One thing I can say to all my mother-in-law’s students, Erlinda Restituto left us with an exceptional legacy as a teacher, mother and as a good human being. You guys are the best students. You all embody humility and kindness. And she was lucky to have you all in her lifetime. I’m sure she is looking down on us now from Heaven and saying, “Don’t worry, life continues on.” For sure, she is in Good Hands now. I love you Mother! RIP.

Dear Tita Lynn,
Daghang salamat sa inspirasyon na ibinigay niyo sa akin para pasukin ang larangan ng pagtuturo.
RIP!
Ella

with Heartfelt sympathy, Tita Lyn you will always be in our hearts ❤ (kayong 3 Tita Vilma and Tito also) From Zita Alvarez and Jennifer Miranda