Eulogy for Desideria Belandres Tolentino

(from the voices of her brothers and sisters)
07.29.2007

We all go through life learning lessons. Small lessons we learn everyday, or those great ones we sometimes have to learn the hard way. But the Belandres family, our family, was blessed to have a great teacher in our midst. We were truly blessed to have Desideria or Desing – our teacher, not only of school lessons, but our mentor as we went through life’s great lessons.

She was our motivator, pushing us to excel in academics, who taught us the value of good education.

She was our surrogate mother in our early years, always having a special place in her home for her sisters, always caring, concerned, and attending to our daily needs.

She was a dutiful and selfless daughter and sister, who inspires us with the sacrifices she made to care for her parents and siblings. With her earnings as a teacher in elementary school, she selflessly provided for the educational needs, not only of her brothers and sisters, but also of others who needed her help as well.

She was a beautiful and good-hearted person, who gives and loves without expecting anything in return.

She was a wonderful soul, whose life is an inspiration to all of us. She lived life fully, lovingly, and in a way which taught us the greatest lessons in life.

I can picture Desing in her early teaching years, walking along the unpaved, rough roads of Barotac to school. Now, she walks with angels, in a path laden with the most beautiful roses and orchids, and illuminated with the most brilliant of lights.

Thank you, Desing, for passing through our lives, from your brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces. Your memories and lessons will always remain in our hearts.