Memories from Grandchildren

From John Baguio, 19  -

     Lolo was a very genuine man. I thank him for my height, my good looks, and most important my manners.
Any one that even had the chance to talk to or interact with Lolo can say he was a man of strong faith, faith that rubbed off on his children and grandchildren. Faith is the one thing that he held on to since I can even remember.I won’t forget the nights we would eat canned pork and beans, the road trips he and Lola came on, and his warm comforting smile. I would not be half the man I am today if it wasn’t for him.
I am praying for all of the family and love you very much Lolo.

Hannah Suarez, 15 and Hans Suarez, 13 -

      One thing I'll never forget about Lolo is his favorite question - "Do you love me?" Of course, you would always respond with "Yes, Lolo!" or "Of course, Lolo!" Any grandchild would. But he always had one more question - "How much?" Well, Lolo, we'll never truly find the words to tell you how much we really love you.
There are no words that can even come close to quantifying how much each and every one of us loves you.
The most we can do is spread our arms wide, say "This much!" and hope you understand that we love you with all our hearts - we always have and always will.

From Kathryn Quijano, 20, in Kentucky:

     When we were smaller, having Lolo living at home meant a lot. It meant learning to enjoy the perfect cup of Lolo’s coffee in the morning, and singing “Sunrise, Sunset” alongside him while he rocked in his big green chair. For me, it also meant having a “safe haven” to run to when I was scared. When I couldn’t fall asleep and my parents were already snoring, I would sneak into my grandparents’ room downstairs and wedge myself between Lola and Lolo, falling asleep to Lolo singing “Goodnight Sweetheart” after they prayed their nightly rosary. Now, I can only smile knowing that my wise and ever-protective grandfather is on his way to his own “safe haven.”


From Emil-Jake Quijano, 18:
     I will always remember Lolo for being so determined. When he had a goal in his mind, whether it be carving a pumpkin, getting the mail at the bottom of our long hill, or watering the plants, he would always put his mind to it and do it. He has taught me to never give up especially when people tell you to quit. Even though he was stubborn, he showed me that if you put your mind to it you can do it.

     He also taught me a multitude of other things. He taught me to “bahug” on my rice, which if you ask me, is quite a useful life lesson. He also taught me to appreciate American Movie Classics, old music, and how to slurp my soup to make it cooler. If you ask me, Lolo was the best snack maker in the world. Every day after elementary school he would make me the best snacks. My personal favorite was his combo of maho and rice. Even his simple love for Chinese peanuts influenced me to snack on them whenever I can. Thank you Lolo for everything you have taught me. Even though I can’t be there with you, I'll be thinking of you, especially since we have the same name! I love you!

And last but not least …from Nikko Quijano, 12:

     I was still too young to remember a lot about Lolo growing up, but every time I leave the garage I see Lolo's apple tree and it will always remind me of him. I do remember that I always saw Lolo put Lola above anything else, no matter what.

I will always love and remember you Lolo.

Lolo's Legacy

My Dad through the eyes of  his oldest grandaughter, Lindsey Anne Baguio, 25 years old.

     I see old photos of him: Emilio Suarez - tall, slender with wide-rimmed glasses. I wonder what he was like as a young man. If he was anything like the Lolo I know. I’ll remember that my Lolo and Lola took good care of me as a child, not only me but my cousins too.

     I’m the oldest granddaughter so their first stop in the United States was our house. They lived in the  room downstairs and their TV was always on. I think that’s where my appreciation for old Hollywood movies began and why I count Audrey Hepburn and Clark Gable among my favorite actors. Lolo loved to watch old black and white movies and “Bonanza” – I can still hear the theme song in my head!

     I’ll remember as he watched TV he was always munching on something. He loved to eat peanuts. He went through jars and jars of Planter’s Peanuts. And as requested, my mom made sure he had a steady supply of Wheat Thins too.

     If he wasn’t watching TV he always had something to read. I’ll remember that he nurtured my love of books and helped me become the bibliophile that I am today. I have a storage cabinet full of books to prove it. I’ll always remember… one year when I was in grade school, for a Christmas or a birthday, I asked Lolo and Lola for a book. I mailed to them the order form in Kentucky. Not only did they buy me
the requested book, they bought me the whole set.  Throughout the years he continued without fail to send us books. We never understood why he picked the ones he did but we have them, in my book cabinet! I’m planning that my future house will have a wall full of shelves just for books – my own small library - in honor of Lolo.

     From  Lolo, I also learned the definition of what it means to be passionate. I’ll remember that he was infamously known for his emotions. He had such melodramatic expressions. He was also quite the actor: I remember lying next to him one afternoon as he told me a story. I wish I could remember the plot. I just remember his many voices - high pitched and low, and his contorted facial expressions… I’ll miss his storytelling.

     From Lolo, I learned how to clean a plate..I’ll remember at each meal how he ate every last grain of rice, soaked up the last of the sauce with a piece of bread…. Never letting anything go to waste.

     Like my other three grandparents… I learned by example from Lolo the definition of faith. If he couldn’t go to church, he would watch services on TV. He also maintained a strict prayer schedule with Lola in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening.

     One of the last memories I have of Lolo is his last night before he left the U.S. for the final time. It’s the image I’ll choose to remember him by. He was staying at our house in the downstairs room with Lola just like when I was little. I peeked in their room (like when I was little) to find them sleeping ... so peacefully… nothing unusual. But it was their position that struck me. They were lying next to each other face-to-face with their arms intertwined so lovingly.

     It is his love for Lola that will leave the most lasting impression with me. It’s because of them I have such an awesome mother - strong, responsible and faithful. It’s because of them I have six loving aunties and uncles who found just as equally loving spouses. And there’s also the numerous cousins who are always fun to visit.

Rest in peace Lolo…

Hida L. Go (THe Other Woman)

For Sylvia and Betsy and brothers two...


She comes from the plains of Spain in  the middle of rain
To comfort two brothers in the midst of their pain

One crosses the bridge just to be with her
The other waits in a room just to taste her

Skin of amber glistens as she listens 
To brothers two as they hasten
To make use of the short time
To tell her their woes over lemon and lime

She goes down smooth and warm

Always giving, never taking

Even as brothers two

End up stuporous in the morning at two

Assuaging their grief

Sharing their relief

From a brief encounter

Over the table as they banter

And when they part ways
She stays and waits
For another night of visit
From brothers two as they see fit.

The Gift (1917-2010)

You beckon in silence and I beg that you wait
Rearranging my life to fly to your side
On your last days here on earth
Before you take your final breath

You've said everything that needed to be said
In the lifetime you've spent with me
Why then do I still ask
When I know you speak no more?

Once you said you had nothing

And yet you have everything

Giving from your heart

Taking away our hurt

And when the moment comes

When you draw on that last breath

I wait until there is no more

I watch as you are no more

When did death become a beautiful thing?
When peace, tranquility and love sorrounds you
And I know that you are where you want to be
And I am where I was meant to be

I love you Daddy...