Birth date: Aug 1, 2020 Death date: Aug 9, 2020
Florito “Boy” De Vera, 82, entered fully into the presence of his Lord and Saviour Sunday, August 9, 2020, surrounded by his loving family in Arlington, TX. Florito was born to Rufino and Victoria on August 1, 1938, in Pozorrubio, Read Obituary
I am so sorry. I didn't know he had passed. I loved him.
Eulogy during the wake:
I've known Tatay for about 8 years, and to be honest we didn't really get to know each other. English wasn't Tatay's first language and unfortunately, English was basically my only language, so our conversations usually end up being short and awkward. Though when others are around, they're always laughing at his jokes in Ilocano; of course I won't be able to understand any it until someone translate for me.
Even though we didn't talk much, he treated me with kindness and I always had sense that he has accepted me as part of his family. He even scolded Jing for yelling at me (though I'm sure for something that's not my fault to begin with) so I know he's got my back.
And he's always been good to Ely. When she was a baby, Tatay bought her a doll even taller than her. I pictured of Tatay as a tough guy given that he had a hard life, and there he was giving a doll to a baby girl, so that surprised me a bit. Unfortunately it turned out that Ely was terrified of the doll and started screaming and crying when she got near it. Tatay brought a doll whose eyes opens and closes depending on the angle you hold it. One moment, the eyes would be closed, and the next it just open up... as if it came alive like in one of those scary movies. To this day, she doesn't want to play with dolls.
Over the years she was able to spend quite a bit of time with him, if not in person at least over video chat, just chatting away. Recently he got her to sing this song with small phrases in 2 languages plus Ilocano, and we all enjoyed hearing both of them sing it....
Anong sinabi mo
What did you say
Anya kunam
Sa an ka pu punta
Where are you going
Papanam
Mag balik ka giliw
You shall return
Ag subli ka
Ako'y umi iyak
I'm crying
Ag sang sangit ak
I didn't get to really know my grandparents since they passed away when I was still very young, so I'm glad Ely got to know her grandfather. And I'm very honored to be part of his family and to be his son-in-law.
EULOGY during the wake: Mama Boy or Tatay, as he is fondly called by his family, will be greatly missed. His sarcastic sense of humor and unending, repetitive jokes and stories always ignites laughter among his family and close friends. It's no wonder he loved listening to funny Filipino songs, to the likes of Yoyoy Villame and Fred Panopio. His favorite song was Pitong Gatang. His son, Ric, made sure to play these songs whenever he drove him to or picked him up from the clinic. Some of you may not know, but he actually has a good singing voice that none of his children acquired. In fact, good singing voice, aside from beauty, is what attracted him to Nanay Rosita. She relates of that time when she was singing onstage during a political campaign in Pangasinan, he was drawn to her voice, and he knew at once that she was the one he was going to marry. She was 19 and he was 26 when they got married, and they were blessed with 6 loving and kind children, all finishing and acquiring a college degree. This is attributed to both Tatay and Nanay's strong desire for their kids to finish college because both of them have not. Jong tells of that time when Tatay even punched him because he did not want to go to school. That's how his children also remember him, as a very strict disciplinarian. But no matter how strict he is, his kids also know and feel that he truly loves and deeply cares for each of them. Villma remembers that day when she almost drowned and when Tatay learned about it, he got furious and scolded Lolo Rufino, his dad, who was supposed to be looking out for them. That night, he sneaked in Villma's room and put his hand over her heart to make sure she was fine... And that's what he wanted for all his kids - to make sure they were FINE. He even sacrificed being away from them for 5 straight years, while working at Saudi Arabia, just so he can financially provide for their needs and education. Tatay is a hard worker with excellent work ethics, always on time, and very indigenous and industrious. He is very proud of his accomplishments, and rightfully so. Being the 3rd out of 8 children, he learned hard work at a very young age. At age 16, he started working at the gold mines. He worked at different mining companies in Philex, Boneng, Itogon and Semirara. When he came to the US in 1998 at an almost retirable age, he was still willing to work. But he didn't just work. He also knew how to have fun. Tatay's past time was going to the Casino with his favorite partner and lucky charm, Jing. He also loved food, so his kids, especially, Wilma, made sure his favorite papaitan and pakbet were served whenever he visited the Philippines. Tatay was also known to be adventurous who loved to go places. His kids remember him loving road trips. He enjoyed the ride he had with his daughter Thelma in the Philippines, reminiscing all the places he'd been, and the last long road trip he took with Villma and Jing to North Carolina and back to Texas. He lived a good 82-year life, along with Nanay Rosita who never left his side.
Tatay was never a religious person, but he always went to church with Nanay. He accepted the Lord in his life during one of his visits to the Philippines. So we are rest assured that he is now free of pain and physical discomforts. He has made his final journey and his destination is heaven.
Again, on behalf of the whole family, including those in the Philippines, we would like to thank you all for the love and support you have shown, and the prayers and comfort you have offered and continue to offer. We are grateful to all of you who join us today to celebrate the life of Mr. Florito Espejo De Vera.
Uncle Boy - ma mi miss namin kayo. Umiiyak akong sumusulat nito. Hindi ka na namin makakasama sa IHOP na paborito nating puntahan after the Subday Mass. Wala na akong katawanan when it comes to kalokohan. Sorry po, hindi na namin kayo nakita bago niyo kami iniwan. Akala ko makakauwi pa tayo uli ng Pilipinas. Uwi na lang po kayo sa Pinas in spirit. Baka nga nandoon na kayo ngayon at dinadalaw ang inyong hacienda sa Pangasinan.
Rest In Peace Uncle Boy. We will surely miss you. Salamat po sa pagmamahal niyo sa amin.
Love ❤️ - Tess
Uncle maraming salamat sa mga pinakita mo sa aming pamilya lalo na sa mga anak ko kaya mahal na mahal ka namin wala na ko hahandaan ng kambing pag umuwi kau dito alam ko masaya kana we love u uncle
Tatay salamat po sa lahat mamimiss ko po kau kht ilang beses ko lng po kau nkita at nkasma super da best po kau KC hnd nio kmi tinuring n iba sa lahat po...PG nkita nio po ung dlawa Kung kapatid kamustahn nio po kmi mamimiss po nmin kau tatay😘😘😘
One thing I loved about you tay is your kindness..It reminds me my tatay..first time we met you welcomed me into your house without hesitation and treat me and Jerico as you own kids..whenever we have problems money or advice you always open to help us which is We will treasure it for the rest of our lives..you accept my son as one of your grandbaby and I’m thankful for that..and everytime we came you always come out in your room wven though you just so tired just to accompany us..Admiring and praising you will never end...Thank you so much Tay for allowing me Jerico and 4J to be part of your life and journey...we will never forget you and you will always gonna be in our heart...rest in heaven til we meet each other again..
Tatay salamat sa lahat ng memories mo...akala ko magkikita pa tayo..wala na akong dadalhan ng lambanog..
Sobrang ma mimiss po kita tatay...
Mamimiss ko po yung mga joker mo..
Alam ko po happy kna kapiling mo na po God..
One thing I admire about you Tatay is
Your work ethics. I enjoyed listening to your work stories about the intern engineers you have to train and that one of them becoming your boss later on. And that engineer was always giving you praises because he learned from the master. Another incident is when you were working in the Middle East and you received a call and summoned to work because the engineer in charge can not troubleshoot an equipment which you figured out right away. You always made sure that your work is always above par. You wouldn’t even recommend me at your work because you weren’t sure how I would be at work. You don’t want your reputation get tarnished. Even when I worked at home and I assist you with your meds and taking you to your appointments, you always asked if you were taking my time away from work.
I will miss our travels and adventures. Dialysis did not stop you from traveling .
I will miss our coffee time at the patio watching the birds. I will miss listening to your stories and you singing your favorite songs. We don’t say I love you all the time but we expressed it through our actions.
I now rejoice because you are in the best hands - with our Lord until we meet again. I love you Tatay.
To Balae"s Family, We wish you God's peace in sympathy, our hearts and prayers are with you at his time
Fe and Rey Abutin
