26 April 1931 – 2 August 2015
Mother Celine was born in Taytay Rizal, Philippines in 1931 and the eldest of five children. All passed away except her youngest brother who is currently in the Philippines.
She was married at the age of 19 to Tirso and they had two daughters Rocel and I being the eldest. Our father Tirso served in the United States Navy until my mother believed he was lost and died in action for about 40 years. Our mother then lived with our stepfather and they had a son and daughter who are both in the Philippines. Our stepfather is now in the USA with his own family.
My mother and stepfather separated when she came to Australia to live permanently and became a naturalised citizen in the ‘80s. She was then pursued by many men because she had it all – beauty, brains and a kind heart. They promised her a good life but despite their attempts, she turned them down to focus on her children.
In 2000, my mother and father were reunited when the US Veterans advised us that he was still alive and in a nursing home in the Philippines. Sadly he was diagnosed with dementia and unable to recognise my mother or his children. Nevertheless, my mother’s love for her husband remained strong as she still decided to be with him in the Philippines. We decided it was a better opportunity for them to live in Australia with us so we could take care of them. They have been here together for three years now. Although it’s short, at least they found each other again even at the last moment. What a love story!
Mother Celine was often mistaken as an Italian or something else aside from being a Filipina because of her mestiza looks. It was only until she started speaking Tagalog that brought out the truth. Her beauty was undeniable which attracted many suitors during her younger years. However, her mother was so strict that she had to stay in between her and the suitor during courtship. She had suitors even from an early age in her early teens resorting her to hide under the table. We were laughing when she mentioned one of them farted, then took off.
Obviously, she just couldn’t resist falling for our father Tirso who was good looking, studied Aeronautical Engineering and flew airplanes. They even secretly married to seal their relationship so my father could complete his studies. Ultimately, their parents found out and immediately organised a church wedding.
Here in Australia, my mother cared for my father unconditionally. Although at times, she felt irritated because he would eat small amounts almost every two hours, even getting up in the early hours of the night. She was able to eventually teach him to share the same meal times.
Mother Celine was a movie starlet in the Philippines in the 50s. She was in Sampaguita Pictures’ Miss Number One where Amalia Fuentes won the title. She also starred with Gloria Romero, Rogelio de la Rosa, Ric Rodrigo, etc. in other films like Prince Charming. Her career was only short-lived because her family was strict and very conservative.
She was the “Reyna ng Vics” in the ‘50s in a radio program. Also “Reyna ng Bagong Bayan” in Taytay Rizal, Muse of Barangay San Roque in Murphy Quezon City with Lorna Tolentino and Leroy Salvador as guests, among others.
In Australia, she enjoyed going to “Damayan” and Spectrum (Senior Support Groups) activities with our father and my sister once a week. Actually, she was looking forward to attend Christmas in July to dress up as a queen again but didn’t make it due to surgery on her fractured arm from her recent fall.
Mother Celine was a beautician and dressmaker by trade. She was the official dressmaker creating gowns and costumes for the Philippine Fiesta of Victoria Inc’s Beauty Quest, Filipiniana Models of Victoria, and HIYAS Dance Troupe in the ‘90s. She was very good in alterations and I relied on her for my outfits until her eyes failed.
Most importantly, she had so many challenges in life. Firstly, she experienced and saw the brutality of World War II when she was only 10 years old. Ladies painted their faces with mud to look ugly and avoid being raped. She saw babies thrown in the air and caught by the Japanese soldiers’ bayonets. She remembered most especially her father being in the Death March who fortunately escaped by throwing himself in a muddy canal to hide. Due to the Japanese soldiers’ confiscating food and water, most people resorted to drinking water collected from puddles created by carabaos’ footprints. I guess, this is one of the reasons why she’s so thrifty. She’s a tough lady!
Mother Celine was a caring and generous person to her family members. She loved her family so much to the extent of scraping most of her savings to provide a home for her only son in the Philippines.
Sunday, 26th of July changed my life when I received a devastating phone call to learn of my mother’s massive stroke. We rushed to the Austin Hospital where she was already comatose. The medical staff advised us of her terminal condition so all we could do was hope and pray for a miracle. We spoke to her as we believed she could still hear us and reminisced of the good times we shared. We were able to contact her relatives in the Philippines so they could also say their final words. I was privileged to be at her bedside most of the nights for a week especially during her last moment on Sunday, 2nd August.
Mother Celine, my heart is broken but I’ll try to be strong and endure the pain for the sake of other family members especially Tay Tirso who needs care just like how you had cared for him.
Hope you’re in heaven now resting in peace with God and family members who had passed before you.
We love you very much! We’ll miss you!
Your loving daughter,
Zen Bautista-Lapena
