LIZA PUYAT YAPTINCHAY on behalf of the children of Milagros Trinidad Puyat
Confident. Mom was self-assured. She made playing the role of mother to us nine (9) children look easy. She boldly spoke her mind and told you exactly what she was thinking. One of our fondest memories is shopping with Mom. Armed with impressive negotiation skills, she would haggle with the vendors. Embarrassed, we would scatter. Somehow, she would prevail and get her price and still manage to make friends with the sales person.
Resourceful. Using a Basketball analogy, Mom is the person you want holding the ball during the last 10 seconds. Once her creative juices flowed, she was unstoppable. Cheering competition outfits or costumes for a school play? Sure! Cramming your sewing project? Sleep. It would be beautifully packaged, ready for submission in the morning. Need an epic birthday party? Wonder Mom to the rescue! Back then, party planners were not yet a “thing”. Mom conceptualized the parties, made sure her ideas came to life, and still had energy to join and have fun! Mom ran the games and always made super giveaways for our friends.
Generous. Mom shared her blessings. Halloween was the perfect excuse. In true Mila fashion, she decorated the house with gusto and personally handed out goodies and bathing suits to the kids and chatted with their parents. She loved chatting with people of all ages and she was good at it. She always made it a point to mingle and get to know our friends through the years. Mom was present at important school activities / sports events. She gave of her time to many groups like School Parent Associations, to Antioch, Couples for Christ, and Rotary to name a few.
Fashionable. Mom taught us to dress the part. Whatever the dress code, do a little better. Through the years, Mom collaborated with her daughters on many outfits, like graduation dresses, debut dresses, and even wedding gowns. For the boys, she would make corsages for their dates using the fabulous orchids grown in her garden, during her Orchid Society days.
Entrepreneur. When asked what her profession was, Mom would claim this title. She had so much creative energy inside her. She never stopped developing new ideas.
In the 70’s, Mom had a dress shop. She later launched her own brand of swimwear/dancewear at SM Malls. This later became a full-fledged garment export business. Being a parent to nine children prepared her for entrepreneurship and she became a parent to a made-to-order dress shop, a dancewear/swimwear RTW business, a flower shop, a pre-school, a swimwear manufacturing company, and several ongoing livelihood projects.
Family-Oriented. From family board games, to garden water fights, to noisy meals, to cheering at sports events, Mom enjoyed family bonding time. Beach trips were a must and she managed to transport her large brood (plus friends) to Nasugbu every summer. In fact, she developed her businesses so she could be close to her family. She got her wish, and more than half of us ended up working together with Mom in the manufacturing business.
Mom was a devout Catholic. Being mother to nine, she made sure to take the entire family to Sunday Masses, attend Lenten recollections, Visita Iglesia, Way of the Cross, Easter Triduum, attend weekday masses, and stay for Wednesday devotions to St. Joseph to name a few. We were taught that Lent was a time for prayer and sacrifice, not a time to go on vacation. She loved Mama Mary. The Rosary was always on her nightstand, and she continued to pray the rosary daily with Dad for as long as they could.
Mom was a doer. Mom’s groups and Church involvement are too many to mention. Mom was active at Church, having joined CWL and the Apostleship of Prayer. She volunteered to decorate the Church with her beautiful plants during the Feast of St. Joseph. She had also decorated Manila Cathedral and the Luneta Grandstand for various Marian events. In Rotary, Marriage Encounter, Days with the Lord, CFC, Antioch, or ANY group she joined, Mom did not shy away from responsibility. She left her mark taking on roles like Charter President, Household Head, Chapter Leader, or even Parent Leader. Antioch in particular, allowed her to be a second Mom to many teenagers who needed a mother’s touch. Couples for Christ definitely helped Mom and Dad enrich their own spiritual life. We were all influenced by them. We have served during Mass, joined Church Choir or music ministry, joined Antioch, SFC, or CFC. We may no longer be active in these groups but the values remain. How could they not? Mom and Dad led by example and exposed us to service.
Mom had faith in abundance. When fertility issues dogged the first few years of their marriage, it strengthened her faith in God. Wanting children, she prayed ceaselessly, eventually doing the “lakad luhod” (walking on knees). She got what she prayed for nine times over! The blessings kept coming and Mom eventually had 24 grandchildren to love and spoil. Her faith in God was well placed and Mom was blessed further with 6 great-grandchildren.
When Dad passed away last July 2020 due to cancer, Mom clung to her faith once again. Armed with her Rosary and online Zoom masses, she carried herself with grace, going about her activities, keeping her chin up. While enduring lockdown, she would tell us about so many projects she was envisioning for her Rotary Club. She was still so optimistic and nothing seemed unattainable. Unfortunately, cancer was getting the better of her. Our Mom, this force of nature, was getting weaker by the day. She embraced her suffering and carried her cross without complaint. She was so brave in facing her death and this endeared her to her caregivers.
Mom believed in service. Mom chose Rotary as her avenue of service. When most are already retired, Mom was still active and even became Charter President of the Rotary Club of Greater Mandaluyong (RCGM). She was well thought of in the Rotary community and was even called “the epitome of Rotary and her humility, as well as dedication to be of service, made her endearing to many.”
Mom often talked about her projects. Health and Livelihood were always on Mom’s agenda. Mom passionately promoted the citronella soap and oil spray project, believing this RCGM anti-dengue project could help communities be safe. She talked often about the work Rotary was doing in the National Mental Hospital, to help with the psycho-social development and transitioning of patients. Mom was also a big advocate for recycling and upcycling. RCGM also collaborated with the Correctional Institute for Women and the United Women Artists Association of the Philippines. This project produced and sold one-of-a-kind hand painted fans. Click here https://bit.ly/3hDZ4AY for photos.
Mom promoted the D’Yario Bags. This livelihood program teaches women how to weave bags using recycled newspapers. Click here https://bit.ly/3hMFyC6 for the full PDI article. Mom’s creativity and marketing skills were assets to the project. She was instrumental in introducing various bag designs, allowing the products to evolve, keeping the project successful for many years. Whenever they would start the project in new communities, Mom would personally accompany the training team. Through her hard work, the project went global!
The project reached Evansville, Indiana, as a way to raise support for seniors and the disabled. https://bit.ly/3u4qjqI These “Blessed Bags” even made it all the way to the Vatican! Click here for the full Tatler story. https://ph.asiatatler.com/style/blessed-bags
Our Mom, Mila, was a butterfly, growing more beautiful over time. She’s truly a tough act to follow, but she inspires us to be the best versions of ourselves. We only hope that we can achieve a fraction of what Mom has done in her life. Her BIG ENERGY has transformed and flown away with Dad, the love of her life. We are strong today because of her. We are thankful and blessed to have had our Mom, our Milagros.
Mila was truly God’s gift to all of us. She maintained her effervescent spirit till her eighties in the service of her family and the communities she served. Godspeed to our beloved Mila. We love you.
I did not have the chance to know Mila upclose, but reading the article impressed on my mind a woman whose life was untiringly spent loving. Moving on now, God has seen it fit that she rest and receive her eternal reward!
What a beautiful tribute to your amazing mother. A gift from God, she clearly touched many lives. I offer you my deepest condolences and thank you for sharing your mother with us through this lovely eulogy.
May she Rest In Peace.
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