May perpetual light continue to shine upon Mercy Tamondong.

Many thanks to all who have visited Mom's guestbook, especially, years after her death.  I am also extremely thankful to Ate Tess for keeping the guestbook permanently open.

condolence marlevic our sadness in the demise of ate mercy....always include her in our prayers and kuya manny...many thanks for everything..

jun, telly madlangbayan
iligan citym angeles city, philippines

Manny, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  Having known you for many years through work, I came to know Merci as my dentist's assistant.  She was such a caring individual and I enjoyed catching up on things with her family.  She was so proud of your daughter.  I'm sorry for your loss.

Willena

I was blessed to meet Merlevic and her family during my years as a student at ASU. In Los Angeles, I grew up with some Filipino friends so I instantly felt at home when I met them.

I remember Merlevic's mother, Mercedes, as a gracious host and a wonderful cook. I was invited a few times to their great house parties. While Merlevic's father and some of the guests were singing karaoke in one room, her mother would be in another laughing, conversing and kvetching with the other ladies. She was always offering me food and patiently answered my questions about the preparations of each delicious dish.

It was during one of those parties that she taught me how to play Mahjong and to gamble! She was a delightful and shrewd player and had the most sublime poker face.

Mercedes was also deeply religious and I remember going with the family to a rather long Christmas Mass.

Merlevic's mother often reminded me of my own. She was loving, caring, yet a strict and exacting parent who chided, worried and fussed over her only daughter, much to Merlevic's chagrin.

Mercedes, thank you for your generous hospitality. You are a light that went out too soon. Your legacy lives on in an equally smart, independent, and kind daughter, whom I have a pleasure to call a friend.

My sympathies and prayers goes out to Merlevic, her father and the rest of the family during this sad and difficult time.

Distance had always set me and Auntie Mercy apart.  We all grew up at different times in Kalinga Province. I dont know when she left the town of Salegseg where she grew up for  the City of Manila. She  must have  seen me as a little boy  there but I dont  remember seeing her in Kalinga ever since I started to be able to recognize people.  And when I finally moved to Manila for my college in 1976, auntie Mercy had already left for the US.   I only get to know her more  when her good deeds were shared by older relatives.  But sometime in 1986, ( that was 6 years after my college graduation)I received a letter from Auntie Mercy. That to me was like the first major communication I had with her which set our connection and to me personally was big deal as i thought that she would be just too busy to write a letter, and here I received one from her.  It only meant she cares and I was looking forward to meet her personally, this time as an adult. But it took more than a decade since that letter when finally we met at the Phoenix Airport in February of 1997. It took me a while to blurt my first word when I saw auntie Mercy. You only get to see that in a typical Filipino telenovela like some loved ones lost so long ago and here you are meeting for the first time as adults and aging I may add. But auntie's warmth immediately made me comfortable and at home.  I was also happy to meet for the first time Uncle Emy and Cousin Merlevic . We had a very short but memorable bonding moment, dining and going around phoenix, as I was on short business trip and had to go back home.  But before I left, I encouraged auntie to visit us in the Philippines. And indeed Auntie and her family visited us in December that  same year, 1997.It was Christmas time
and we had a very happy reunion with other relatives at our home in Muntinlupa. Our house was quite small for everyone but no one cared. We all slept side by side as in when one turns to the other side we all had to turn together so we can still fit,  that's a joke but really it was fun and I think Auntie Mercy was so happy seeing everyone. Me and my family felt so blessed having them around with the other relatives who came over .

But one thing i will never forget was Auntie Mercy's pasalubong for our noche Buena. It was a huge frozen turkey, i think the biggest she can find in Phoenix it almost took the whole balikbayan box!. I must have mentioned to her that we have an oven back home but little did i know she would bring this giant animal that only half of its body would get inside the oven.  My wife and  i looked at each other in panic and wondered where we could borrow a large vat to fry this thing on just several hours before noche Buena!! Then  we thought of bringing this to a shop doing lechon baboy (roasted pig) along the highway . I asked the shop owner if they can roast this thing for us and he said  "Saan niyo nakuha yang kalaki namang  manok yan!" translation 
(" freaky chicken! Where did you get that!")  I said "dont worry it doesnt bite  just please roast it we will pay the service, it's Christmas you know" .  He was hesitant as there was a huge order for lechon and they only have limited space and time to finish them all. But luck was on us and he accommodated the turkey.  Passersby would stop and look at the unusual thing being roasted side by side the pigs and this time the shop owner  proudly did the talking .  It took several hours before we finally brought it home in time for our Noche Buena! That reunion with auntie Mercy and family and with our relatives i think was the first and last we had with her here.

We have repeatedly encouraged her to travel to the Philippines again but for some reasons she never made it.  My wife Tess and I went to visit them at phoenix in 2004 .  Again we felt how loving auntie was.  I knew she was not as strong as the last time I saw her and yet she still managed to show us her concern, her loving care.  

I was always hoping to see you again auntie in spite of the distance, but now you went to a place so far.  This time distance had it. 

We will miss you Auntie Mercy. from all of us, Rey, Tess, Sarah, Arnold & Genevieve

Dear Lolo Emy & Tita Merlivic,

I will always remember the trip I took to Arizona when I was young. I watched Dora the Explorer with Lolo Emy and we'd talk to the TV as if Dora could actually hear us. I remember the time Lola Mercy taught me to use liquid soap, instead of bar soap, because of bar soap's tendency to spread germs. 

I will always remember the hospitality and sense of family I felt during my visit to Arizona. It was always reassuring to know that, even thousands of miles away, I had family who genuinely cared. Lola Mercy, you will surely be missed. But your legacy will live through the countless lives you have blessed with your golden heart. God bless you and your family,
Letlet

My family and I are saddened by Auntie Mercy's passing.....she was always a generous and thoughtful person..... our condolences to Uncle Emmie and Cousin Merlevic.....

My family and I wish to convey our condomences to  Uncle Emmie and cousin Merlevic ....Auntie Mercy was always so helpful and thoughtful....I remember how nice and hospitable she was even as a single lady in Extramadura , Philippines to the wedding shower she selflessly organized for me and Ed....I thank God for having had a really good Aunt like you Auntie...Thank you and may God Bless You and your family

Uncle Emy & Merlivic,
Take comfort in knowing that you have a special angel to watch over you.
Auntie, we will cherish the memories forever. We love you and we'll surely miss you.

There are so many wonderful memories of Lola that I have but these two are my favorite. The first was during my leadership conference. Lola and Lolo picked me from the hotel and took me out to lunch. It was nice just being able to talk to them both and spending the day with them and dodging questions about potential boyfriends from Lola. My second memory is from my high school graduation. I didn't know they were going to fly down for it so it was a huge surprise to see them there for it. 

Christmases and summer vacations will never be the same as some of our best times were spent there in Arizona.

I'll miss you Lola Mercy.

We're sorry to learn of Mercy's passing. We pray that the happy memories of her will give you comfort, peace & strength to go on. Our deepest condolences & love,

I will always think of Aunty Mercy as my Arizona Filipino Mother... when I arrived in Arizona for college and made a great friend in Merlevic, I was then included in the family... for birthdays and holidays and just to hang out and eat the delicious food Aunty Mercy was always known for making. She even taught me how to make my favorite Filipino Dessert: Biko/Bibingka... it was so warm and comforting. I am sure whenever I make it, I will think fondly of her and her generosity. My heart goes out to Merlevic and Uncle Manny. I know that she is watching over the both of you and will always be.

Deepest condolences in your time of loss. May your happy memories and family help bring peace to you.

I remember coming over to your house when I was in Junior High.  Your parents were such sweet and kind folks, it was very obvious even then how they wanted to please you Merlevic. I really enjoyed your parents' cooking that day...I think it was to celebrate your 12th or 13th birthday.  Your parents came to frequent our restaurant on 43rd/Thomas every once in a while. We were always happy to see them and felt so special that they would drive so far just to eat Chinese food :).  Even though I haven't seen your mom in over 16 years, I am sorry that I didn't get to see her one last time in this lifetime.  My family and I will miss her.

Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Our deepest condolences to you and Tito Emmy; Sending our love and prayers from Manila and Sydney
Marneda Tamondong and Marlemagne Tamondong Reyes

im sorry about your lost,i`ll keep you in my prayers.

Merlz,  I met your mom the day we drove off to Saguaro Man together.  I am happy I did.  A prayer for the next temple to be written when the time comes.  For now, love and peaceful thoughts go out to you and your dad who I met that day as well.-J

Our deepest condolences and our warmest love to you and your family.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother, my heart aches for you and your family. You are in our thoughts and we send you love from our family to yours.

Merlevic, may the Angels dry your tears, comfort your heart, and bring you strength in this time of sadness. God has brought one of his most beautiful daughters home, Mercedes, what a lovely woman...

Merlz, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your mother will always be with you. May you be surrounded by the love and support that you need at this time.

Amy Pennock

Mercy and Emy were very good friends. We shared many fond years togeather while our children grew up. Mercy will be greatly missed.

Merlz, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  You are surrounded in love and support, I hope that can give you some peace in this time of such loss.

Richard & Butch

My condolences to you and your family, Merl on the recent passing of your mother. Being that my parents live miles away, you folks have become my second family in the past 14 years that we've known each other. I have a story to tell you about your mother. I hope that it will make you and your Dad smile. 

It was about the Summer of 1999, Auntie Mercy had invited me over to the house in North Phoenix for some of her delicious Filipino home cooking. Auntie also wanted me to show her how to cook cascaron, a Filipino desert comprised of rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. As soon as I arrived, immediately I was introduced to family that was visiting. Uncle Emmanuel then urged Ron Carranza, Merl, and I to play mahjong with him in the lower level of the home. Feeling bad that Uncle had to help me several times with the tiles, I decided to make my way upstairs to the kitchen to finally share my cascaron recipe with Auntie. I was honored when Auntie went into the living room area to make a the following formal announcement: "Everybody Loretta is going to show us how to cook cascaron so please come into the kitchen to watch." Prior to my arrival, at the home, I had given Auntie a list of ingredients that were needed for tasty treat so that she could have them ready for me.As people were gathering in the kitchen, I glanced at all the materials that I was going to work with and immediately noticed that instead of purchasing rice flour, Auntie had accidentally picked up potato starch.Ron murmured to me, "Everyone's watching you kid.You better not mess this up!" I whispered back to Ron,"Umm...you're going to have to help me, Auntie bought starch not rice flour." I carried on with making the cascaron as I normally would (but adding an extra amount of sugar to cover up the starchy taste) and with every move I made, Auntie gave a play-by-play commentary to our audience as to what I was doing; it was like Filipino Cooking 101. When it came time to deep fry the cascaron, the doughy fellas were so dense that they did not rise to the surface as they normally would. But you know what? Auntie loved my adapted version of cascaron! In fact at the conclusion of my "show" she told everyone "And that is how you cook cascaron.Thank-you Loretta for giving us a demonstration.You need to write down the directions for me so that I can cook this on my own."

OBITUARY

Mercedes Rubio Tamondong

26 July, 1935 – 25 October, 2012

Shadow Mountain Mortuary

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