Lolita Reyes

Eighty-four years ago, on June 2, 1928, Lolita Navarro Reyes made proud parents out of Rufo Navarro and Joaquina Ferrer. She was the second to the youngest among 7 sisters and 1 brother. They lived in Quetegan, Mangatarem, in a modest little house that they called home. They were poor and did not have much, but nevertheless, they had a happy upbringing. Their house was near a river where Lolita learned how to swim, something that she did well. Growing up, she would walk 5 kilometers to and from school. After finishing high school, and knowing that her parents were not able to afford to continue her education, she begged her parents to allow her to go to college. She was determined—she begged and begged until finally, her mom took her to Baguio City where her older sisters and brother lived. Her parents convinced her siblings to finance her schooling. They put her through college and gave her money for allowance. Just like before, she had to walk to school during college as well, but this did not deter her. She had to live minimally because money was tight, but this did not deter her. A few years later, she graduated from Baguio Colleges Foundation with an Associate’s Degree in Education. After a few months, she found a teaching job in Mountain Province, a province northeast of Baguio City. Unfortunately, while she was away teaching, her mother passed away. Because of this, she returned to Baguio City to attend her mother’s funeral. During the funeral, Lolita fainted. And, as fate would have it, she fainted into the arms of Segundino Reyes, who was a family acquaintance and was also attending the funeral. They fell in love and were married on June 25, 1952. Lolita continued to teach in Mountain Province. A year after they were married, their oldest daughter, Christine, was born. After Christine turned 1, they moved back to Quetegan to live with Segundino’s family. They built a house where they raised all five of their children—Christine, Humbelina, Florence, Catherine, and Edison. They also have one adopted son, Henry. To this day, the house still stands.

They were very happy in marriage. They exemplified hard work, excelling at their careers and providing a life more comfortable than theirs for their children. They supported them in every aspect of their lives—emotionally, spiritually, and financially. They loved their children unconditionally. They always provided guidance and gave their children good advice regarding life and relationships and heavily emphasized the importance of a good education. They were able to send their children to college through hard work and they were both very proud of their children’s accomplishments.

After 40 years of teaching 1st grade, Lolita retired. Even decades after her retirement, when she would run into her former students, they would still call her Madam. She and Segundino immigrated to the USA shortly after retirement. Lolita wanted to find employment while she was in the USA but instead, she and Segundino decided to help rear their grandchildren. This is what they did for over a decade. They became second parents to their grandchildren. They were very involved in their grandchildren’s lives and provided unlimited support to them, just like they did with their children.

Every year, Lolita and Segundino would visit the Philippines. They were very active in their church and had many friends. They loved to dance and it was always a treat to see them dancing, Segundino leading and Lolita following. Every step, every move they made was the perfect complement to the other, just like they were in their lives. They were a constant fixture, every January, on the Mangatarem town plaza dance floor. This is when the annual town fiesta is held and they made it a point to go every year. Every night they would partake in the fiesta festivities and outlast even the most vigorous of dancers. Everybody was quite impressed.

Eight years ago, in 2004, they decided to go back home to the Philippines. They continued to be active in church activities and also were still very involved with their family overseas. Four years later, in 2008, Segundino passed away. This was a big adjustment for Lolita. She had lost her love, her partner though everything, truly her other half and her soul mate of nearly 56 years. She returned to the USA to be with her daughters. She went back to the Philippines yearly for the town fiesta and to visit Segundino’s grave every morning after she attended church services. She still attended the festivities at the fiesta but didn’t find a dancer quite as good as Segundino.

Lolita lived a long, happy life. She did not have much, but if one were to thumb through the pages of her life, one will find an abundance of love and happiness. She and Segundino made sure these things were infused in all aspects of their lives, especially in their family.

Lolita entered the gates of Heaven on July 21, 2012. She is survived by her children Christine, Florence, Catherine, Edison, and Henry, her grandchildren Christian, Reinstein, Jason, Jessica, Katrina, Vida, Renee, Jean, Genico, Abigail, Franklin, Francis, and Dessa, and her great grandchildren Gwenyth, Rozena, Chloe, Illanah, Emmalyn, Natalie, Jayvaughn, and Logan. She will be missed, but her legacy lives on in her family.