Tribute to Tita Neneng of Anawim
When acts29 was starting out, we stumbled on a place situated in remote Montalban. Among the hills and rice fields was a 5 hectare plot of land. The plot of land is called Anawim. Anwawim means "the poor of the Lord". This place provides shelter for the elderly abandoned. Here the elderly live in nipa huts or in brick buildings.
When we first came here we fell in love with the place, the old people and with a strong wise silver-haired lady, Tita Neneng, the mother of the centre.
Anawim has always been our home in the mountains. At the end of our mission in Payatas, this is where we retreat as a community to live together and pray together before heading back to Singapore. Else we come here at the end of our 1st week in Payatas to reflect on the continuing mission back in Payatas. Often we find so much peace and joy that we struggle to return to Payatas or even home.
We stay in one of the nipa huts. Every morning we wake up before 6 and a panaromic view of hills and rice fields greets us. Birds busy building nests fly around in song. We have so many fond memories of this place. Like the 1st time ever Francis sang his heart out in front of St Francis of Assis, not knowing Jarvis was sitting behind. This was where we'd always take our long "walk with the Holy Spirit" and spend the day in silence. This is where we learnt to bathe using a water pump and fetched water everyday for our hut. This is where I started to eat liver and lady's fingers and pumpkin and egg plants. This is the place where Cha taught us to sing our 1st Tagalog song, Sa Araw Ng Pasko. This is the place where we encountered the elderly, the abandoned, the dying. Our hearts get broken each time we return. 1st Chris passed away, sweet Chris barely 30 years old who had lost his sight and wa slurring. Eventually he was bed-ridden. I remember us describing the sunset and sunrise to him. Our hearts broke when Lola Decay passed away. The lola whose hair I had cut ad who would always say "Love Me". Everyday she would just grab us and hug us! There was Lola Bibing an ex-school teacher who would always introduce herself as "only sixteen, never been kissed". Lola Bacion, who remembered my full name and address. Each time there were Singaporeans, she would ask if they knew me.
There was my "Mi Amore". Lolo Lito. and so many other lolas and lolos who loved us and welcomed us into their Anawim.
Next Saturday we will be visiting Anawim. I know Tita Naneng would love to have Good Morning Towels and Tiger Balm! I was going to buy it for her this evening.
I cannot imagine going back to Anawim and not see Tita Neneng there in her usual seat beside the door of the kitchen. Last time we went there because we missed her and Anawim so much. We saw Anawim from Erap City. And as crazy Singaporeans, we did not hesitate. we walked straight to Anawim. Never mind there was a three bamboo wide unsteady bridge to cross over the ravine. Never mind that we had to walk across the rice fields in our flip-flops or sandals, bitten by red ants, ankles covered in mud.
When we reached Anawim, dirty and muddy, she didnt ask us any questions. She just hugged us! Got hot Batangas coffee out (as if she knew we were coming!) and lots of warm pandesal, soft drinks! She got us to wash up! Gave me a new pair of slippers cos my disappeared somewhere in the mud! That was our lola, our friend!
I love going down in the mornings and afternoons and evenings to pray the Rosary with the lolos and lolas. Tita Neneng would always get us to lead. This was a great challenge for those who didnt know how to pray the Rosary. After an experience in Anawim, one will know how to lead the Rosary confidently. During merienda time or in the evenings, Tita Neneng would share with us how God provides for Anawim. Newcomers would sit close to her listening to her stories. And the older ones never get tired. Each year when we come, we'd always ask, "Tita tell the story of Anawim". And it was so uplifting to listen to stories of faith and providence... God's love alive in our world.
Thank you Tita for the Batangas coffee, for the ma sarap meals, for the stories and for your love!
With Tita Neneng at Anawim's 8th Anniversary
http://bosanchez.ph/heaven-has-delicious-tinola-today/
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