6 Filipino Journal
green onions, coriander, and
by Dr. Eusebio Koh
Eulogy for a Beloved Friend, Bro.
Mario Sison
T h e r e
comes a time when we have
to pack up and leave, a time when
we put an end to what we are
doing whether it’s a work of art or
a work of love. On December 15,
2009, our dearest friend Mario
Sison took leave of us. When I
heard the news, I was filled with
sadness but also with calmness
and acceptance—sadness,
because I’ll be losing a friend
whose company I enjoyed so
much and with whom I enjoyed
joking around; calmness, because
I know he is going to a much,
much better place.
I have known Mario and
Leonor Sison for almost three
decades. They immigrated to
Canada in October 1980 to join
their sons Mark and Boni, who
came earlier. Mario was 60
years old at the time and had a
carinderia (‘small restaurant’)
back home, in Agoo, La Union. In
Regina, Saskatchewan, he worked
for a while as a commissionaire.
Devout Catholics and had bought
a house on Sinton Avenue, the
Sisons had been parishioners of
the Christ the King Church. I am
glad to renew friendships with
their daughter Ging Cardona
and her family from Winnipeg
The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987
other side. It was dark anyway.
and daughter Violeta Panis and
her family from Houston, Texas.
The Sisons have two other grown
daughters—Erlinda Dean and
Cecilia Isla—17 grandchildren,
and six great-grandchildren.
We got to know the Sisons
better when the Regina Rosary
Group was formed in the late
1980s and when we started the
novena to Our Lady of Perpetual
Help. They came to the novena
regularly and participated in the
rosary. We also had block rosaries,
and coming to their home for
prayers was something we looked
forward to.
Mang Mario was a very
talented person. He knew the
Catholic catechism and liturgy
well. He played the piano and
the guitar and had a good voice.
He and Aling Leonor were also
excellent cooks. One dish that my
wife really liked was their inihaw
na tilapia (‘roasted tilapia’) with
a special sauce of fresh tomatoes,
Ding’s celebrates her 60th
On December 12, Melquides (Ding) Baldonado celebrated her 60th birthday with family
and friends; on the pictures are Marco Avila-Anthony and Wrien Anthony-del Rosario
Visit our Web site - www.FilipinoJournal.com - all photos & articles available online!
of our many activities, especially
bagoong (‘shrimp paste’). After
the rosary at their home, we usually
had a good meal and group singing
with Mang Mario at the piano.
Papang, or Pang as he was
dearly called, had a deep love and
devotion for the Blessed Mother
Mary. His knowledge of her was
quite extensive, I would say. In
his living room, Pang had an altar
or shrine honoring the Blessed
Mother. He and Aling Leonor
made thousands of rosaries
which they donated to needy
countries requesting these through
the Rosary Makers located in
Kentucky, USA. He even had a
class of members of the Rosary
Group teaching them how to make
wire and cord rosaries which in
turn propagated the prayers of the
rosary.
He told me once that when
he was courting Aling Leonor,
he and his buddy had to cross
a shallow river to visit her in
the next barangay. To serenade
Aling Leonor, they carried their
guitars above their heads while
they waded waist-deep through
the river. Aling Leonor would be
giggling because she knew that
the poor guys, despite being wet
from the waist down, would still
be seriously singing and playing
the guitar. If I remember correctly,
they would take their pants off,
wade through the river, and put the
pants back on when they got to the
January 5 - 20, 2010
Ten years ago, when we were church activities. Aling Leonor
organizing the Filipino Knights even joined us Christmas caroling
of Columbus Council in Regina, during the first few years.
we had our first meeting at the Mang Mario was kind-
Christ the King Parish Hall. Mang hearted; a truly devoted Christian;
Mario was one of the twelve men a loving husband, father, and lolo;
who came to that first meeting on generous to a fault; and had a keen
January 17, 1999. In a subsequent sense of humor.
meeting, he brought along his
youngest son, Bonifacio. When
Mario, we miss you very
dearly; but we no longer worry
the Santo Niño Council was much, for we know that you are
formed on March 29, he and Boni now in a much better place, where
became charter members. Father you rightfully belong.
and son had been very supportive
Appeal For Compassion
Emilia Valdez, a 73-year old tourist from Lupao Nueva,
Ecija, Philippines, is now confined at the Intensive Care
Unit of St. Boniface General Hospital.
She underwent a triple bypass operation. Her predicament
is compounded by the fact that she has no insurance
to cover the expenses incurred for her operation and
hospitalization. Also her daughter, Rowena Valdez Memita,
and son-in-law are new immigrants and as such they
do not have the means or capacity to shoulder all the
financial requirements for
this unfortunate event.
In view of this, the Lupao Nueva Ecija Association of
Winnipeg (LUNEAW) headed by its President, Mr. Allan
dela Cruz, is appealing to all loving and kindhearted
Filipinos and Canadians for voluntary donations to help
defray the cost of the operation and hospitalization.
Donations can be coursed through
Mr. Allan dela Cruz @ 204-291-2066 or
Rowena Valdez Memita @ 204-221-2829
The LUNEAW will organize a social and all the proceeds
will be used to help pay for the hospitalization expenses.
The social will be held on
January 16, 2010 at Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Hall at
932 College Avenue.
Tickets are now on sale.
Let us support this noble endeavor.
Lupao Nueva Ecija Association of Winnipeg