We Love You, Inso!

By Pietro S. Albano

I used to see her in church and in our neighbourhood; her home was just a few steps and a turn from ours. People fondly call her as “Mrs Viloria” or “Inso” (The old Tagalog version of “sister-in-law”). She was the grandmother of Michelle Viloria who was a classmate of my younger sister Gisela. When I was editor-in-chief of Ang Pahayagang Anluwage in St Joseph parish in 1993-94, I invited her to write for a column titled “Sinulid at Karayom” on her experiences in the family. She was the last to write an article for that inspiring column.

However it was only in 1995 when I fully realized who she was. She and other neighbours scheduled the weekly block rosary in our home. Mama was not around so they asked me to lead the prayers, read the Gospel, and – extemporaneously – give a reflection on what I read. She asked questions which I wasn’t really prepared to answer. Thank God, I survived her quiz.

Through her encouragement and warmth, I started to participate in that activity – until I migrated to the UK. I found in her and in the rest of our colleagues the strength I needed at the time when I was maligned and maltreated in the parish. Her support never waned through thick and thin.

She was an indomitable force in the community. In spite of her old age and commitments in the Legion of Mary and the Sisters of Charity, she built up a small band of neighbours who helped each other. When she was still living in Callejon I, fiesta and New Year’s Eve were celebrations that other callejons in the barangay could hardly match. The residents decorated their alley for their party. A variety of fireworks were lighted in succession in T Earnshaw Street or elsewhere when the high tide of the 80s and early 90s would dramatically change the map of Gagalangin. Inso was the “promotora”.

When I ran for and won as barangay kagawad in 1997 she was one of my staunch supporters. She contributed immensely in the shaping up of the October and Lenten devotions I initiated in the barangay. She and most of Callejon I’s Catholic residents - adults and children alike - were among the regular participants. It was sad though that when she moved to Callejon L, the participation of her ex-neighbours dropped. So disappointed was she that whenever these religious practices were held in that callejon she would knock at their doors to invite each one of them to join. She continued her task of evangelizing in her new neighbourhood till she became ill.

When I ran again in 2002, she was up and about in the campaign. She was even frank to tell another candidate from another party: “Hindi ko kayo iboboto!” I was not successful in the elections marred with intrigues and backbiting. Inso was one of those who offered me words of comfort.

Inso succeeded me in manning the religious practices in the barangay. These activities have fully blossomed that she once remarked to a priest friend, “Tingnan mo, Father, kung paano kami nagkakamahalan sa aming samahan.” She later resigned due to poor health, but was constantly in touch with each one of us and, if her health allowed her, would attend the activities. Her popularity in the Barangay grew in such a way that she was called “Lola Inso” or “Nanay Inso” or “Ka Inso” (The same manner that some former colleagues call me “Manong” or, strangely, “Kuya Manong”.).

She was one of our wedding guests who were more than happy to see Nidz and I exchanged our vows and enter into a new life as a couple. In June 2003 I paid her a visit when I was about to leave for the UK. In spite of her ailment, she was full of energy and life. She was holding my hand all throughout our meeting. We both looked forward to see each other soon. It never occurred to me that it would be the last.

Inso was a caring woman whose presence will be truly longed for by the people whose lives she has touched. I am very thankful to have been one of those and now ask the good Lord to welcome her into her true home in heaven.

Happy Birthday, Inso! God bless you! We love you! We miss you!