Avelina Sarmiento Medina

Avelina Sarmiento Medina

Many things can be said about my mother Avelina “Belen” Medina. To some, she was called “Nanay,” Ate Belen, Inso, Auntie and Grandma. No matter what title my mother attained, she loved all she encountered. She never complained; she spoke loudly only through her actions and kindness and made beautiful every moment she shared with the world. She was gentle, generous and sincere. She is an energetic, emphatic and decisive woman who spreads joy and encouragement to her friends and family. As the oldest sister, she was a provider and helper to her parents. She helped maintain peace and harmony in the family after her parents passed away. To her husband, she was the wife who endured every struggle and tribulation, sacrificing everything she could to honor and love my father until the end. To a grandmother of 13, she was warmhearted and extremely nurturing to all her grandchildren’s needs. She was the pillar role model to her six children: Ellen, Elmer, Rosalie, Layne, Mialyn and Nellie. She was a mother who never failed to give all and always remained brave and strong for her children. She was a genuine mentor who gave sound, practical, and sensible advice accompanied by her gentle words that assured us everything will be okay.

Avelina “Belen” Sarmiento Medina was born on August 05, 1932 in Singalong Subdivision, Metro Manila. She was the oldest female daughter of Thomas Sarmiento and Felisa Sarmiento. They were a total of 12 children but since she was the oldest daughter, she was tasked to help her parents raise their family. My mother was known to be the best dress maker in her town and in Malagasang as well. When my grandfather lost his job my mom started to help the family to supplement lost income. At the age of 12, a 6th grader, she learned how to make dresses. She impressed her 6th grade teacher and friends of my grandparents from Spain by sewing their dresses. They became her number one customers.

At the age of ten, the war in the Pacific broke out (this was the Japanese war or the World War 2). During the Japanese war, despite hearing gun battles, threats and always on the move, for safe refuge my mom had fear, but did not lose hope. Instead, she set her mind to be strong so she can help her parents and siblings find safety.

After the war, as things went back to normal, the family stayed in Manila. My grandfather built a stall at the market place in Paco, Manila. My grandfather sold fruits, vegetables and coconuts. My mom continued her education. She finished high school, despite working as a dress maker to supplement the family income. In college, she attended the University of the Philippines (UP), for a nursing degree, but due to expensive school tuition fee and other sibling in school expenses, she was told to delay her studies.

Out of school, mom kept busy helping my grandfather at the market place selling while her clientele in dress-making grew due to the regular customers at the market seeing her make dresses.

At the age of 25, my mother met my father, Policarpo Medina in Malagasang 2nd Imus Cavite. They fell in love and got married on June 01, 1958. They stayed in Malagasang 2nd, built a house and started their married life there. By God’s grace they were blessed with 6 beautiful children, 5 girls and a boy.

For them, life was simple but they made sure their children’s primary goal was to receive a complete education. Although my parents originated from humble beginnings, they remained determined and faithful that all their children would be educated, moral, honorable and devoted to family.

My father’s devotion for family was demonstrated by his diligence as a farmer during the rainy season and a jeepney driver when farming was not in season. Much like my father, my mother worked just as hard, dedicating her life as a stay at home mom. She even continued her trade of making dresses for additional income. She was a well-known dress maker in Malagasang and her customers knew that if the dress was made by her, it will be beautiful and of good quality.

She was loved by her customers dearly and despite her pregnancy they still requested my mom to make their dresses. One experience she had was when she was pregnant with my sister Mhay. Knowing she will give birth anytime, this particular customer begged my mom to make her gown. My mom accepted the job, worked all night and finished the gown in time for the next day. When this customer went back to pick up the gown, not only did she see the beautiful gown my mom had made, but also saw a beautiful newborn baby beside her.

All her children knew mom as hard worker. She was always on the move, not seeing her sitting down or relaxing for herself, but always keeping herself busy. I remember when we were little, she was an all-around mother, jack of all trades, helping us with our homework and projects. She would burn the midnight oil for our projects to be finished. She also made sure we did not neglect reading. She made time to sit next to us while we read books in the dim candle light when electricity was cut off at nights. As a kid, I remember how tired she was from all day house work and taking care of us; falling asleep while helping us with our homework. She forced herself to stay awake. Growing up together with my sisters and brother, my mom together with dad, did everything they could to keep us in school. Never did they think of putting us in a situation where we should stop our education in order to earn money by collecting recycling paper and bottles, as is the norm with any low income family in Philippines. She set her sight higher for us to ensure a better future. She knew that completing an education will bring us better opportunities.

My mother came to the US on January 21 1986, with my dad, my sisters Layne and Mhay and me. She knew her home was where her children would be. She only visited the Philippines twice in the 28 years. She helped us raise all our children, if not most of their life, or at least the first 2 years of their life.

Mom not only took care of her grandchildren’s nourishment but also their academics. Instead of their eyes glued on the TV watching mindless cartoons, she used a piece of cardboard about 5 feet long and 3 feet high to write the alphabet and some key words for them to memorize. On the backside was an introduction to math, addition and subtraction. She did this before they stepped into kindergarten.

At the end of the day, I remembered when my sister and I would pick up the kids, I would see my mom in all smiles, not a trace of tiredness from being with the grandkids all day.

When her grandkids are not around, she keeps herself busy in her garden, I can see her joy looking at all the plants when they start to bloom and make pretty flowers.

Of course, her day is not complete unless she reads verses in the Bible and meditates on them. I believed that the Words of God, kept her hopes high, making her strong in body, soul and spirit.

Mom was a very strong woman up to the last moment of her breath, never relinquishing her independence. She insisted of doing everything by herself with minimal assistance from her daughters. Despite her pain she forced herself to be active and endured brisk walking around the courtyard accompanied by her son in law or her children, always determined to heal. On her last few days of her life, while my sister Layne aided her up from bed, she asked “ Mom, I know your body is very weak, where are you getting your strength?” my courageous mother responded wholeheartedly, steadfast and content, “ I am getting my strength from YOU, my children”.

By: Nellie Medina Reyes

(Youngest Daughter)