The Girl We Fondly Called Ipil
Posted by Belle on 16 Mar 2009 at 12:24 pm | Tagged as: family, Uncategorized
Pictures taken by teacherjulie. Thank you so much!
Last year when I visited the province, Ipil surprisingly showed up in my hut. As usual, she was full of smiles, full of life, and full of plans in the future.
She came from a brood of a dozen children – the kindest among her siblings, I must say. Coming from a huge family, she learned to do odd jobs at a young age, aside from cleaning, cooking, laundry, and taking care of her younger siblings. She was pretty smart, with a degree in Civil Engineering. She also possessed incredible talents in arts and crafts, which she cultivated and developed, and paved the way to a successful little business in the province.
Though there was a twist to this story, she was actually sicker than the exterior appearance she was showing. When I got to talking with her in my hut, I found out that she had lumps all over her body. She actually had me touch some of them. I never thought it was something serious as she seemed fine and full of spirit. She mentioned though that she had been seeing a doctor in Manila, and he recommended a chemo, but she chose against it . I didn’t know exactly what went on in her mind, but I am guessing that she was probably hoping she would get better with the quackery options in the province.
I left the province and I haven’t heard anything about her until December 2008. She was miserable then per my cousin. I suggested to my cousin that it is best if she quit her business of paper making as it might have something to do with her illness. The paper making uses harsh chemicals to dissolve the abaca bark into liquid, and without proper precaution, it could be harmful to anyone. Quitting her business was the last thing in her mind because that was her only source of livelihood and besides, her business was flourishing, and was getting bulk orders from popular malls in Manila. Actually, last November, she still managed to hold a booth in Virac to showcase and sell her products, although she was feeling sicker and sicker then.
Just recently, I received a text from my brother that Ipil had passed away at 34. She left behind a 3 year-old boy and a young husband. What a terrible loss! Rest in peace Ipil.
And all I have to remember her of is this hand-made bag below that she gave me last June.
Ipil: Tita B, this is for you.
Me: (surprise) Oh, this is beautiful, thank you. How much do I owe you?
Ipil: Nothing, it is my gift for you.
Me: Let me see if I can find something for you in my suitcase.
Ipil: No need.
Me: (came back with a white blouse) Here, this is for you.
Ipil: Thank you
I am sorry to hear about this. She’s so young. I do hope she lived a full life in her standards.
ohh ohh this is one sad news.. i remember her, so vivid in my thoughts.. she was so active in some church activities. they used to decorate the small kapilya, santacruzan, in front of our house then, coz its santacruzan day, with all the tulundugan hehehe. we call her nene ipil actually.. ohh yeah the first time i heard about the cancer thing was from manay cit, and i was actually very surprised and couldnt believe it. i just heard about it a few months ago.
I’m very sorry to hear this news. I don’t know Ipil but it is so sad to hear someone close to my age with a child passing away.
The bag is so pretty.
Hi Kabayan,
Hard to believe that someone full of life would pass away so young.
My brother-in-law from Pandan has a sister who is presently battling the big C too. She is only 24.
The bag is beautiful and the artist’s picture shows what a beautiful, dignified, and intelligent person she was. What a loss!
The good guys go first. Kawawa naman ang mga naiwan nya. I hope her husband will be able to continue her business. It’s something their kid will be proud of.
how sad. Sorry to hear about this.
I wonder why she chose not to get chemo.
OMG so sad to hear this, sorry for the loss of a friend Belle. Sayang ang gaganda pa naman nung paper-project nya.
I actually like those lampshades. If the store is still up in Virac, I’ll ask my sister to check and buy me one of those.
this is so sad to hear. she’s so young. she’s almost my age. more people are having cancer in our times. i guess it’s in our food and out lifestyle. i hoped she lived a full life too.
This is so sad. We are the same age… It seems like with the few years she lived, she touched many lives with her lively spirit and creativity. I hope the business she left behind will continue to grow.
Haay, belle. Life is so short indeed.
Hi Tita. Thank you for posting this tribute page for Jennifer. Mama forwarded me the text of Tin-tin about Ipil’s passing. It was about an hour before I do Miss Saigon show with Rockdale Musical Society. It just been unbearable and disheartening. I had to pause for a while and reflect and pray for her. I dedicated my performance to her.
Yes, she has an aura that gives cheers and inspires.
I researched about lymphoma and it was so sad to learn what might have caused it – Exposure to chemicals such as certain solvents, pesticides, herbicides, and water contaminated with nitrate. Now that I moved to community health care – dentistry and nursing – indeed, health is wealth. May Ipil rest in peace. I wish to visit Bagumbayan. But not certain of when it would be at his stage. I certainly wish to visit her resting place and Lola’s too.