In Memory of my Mother Anna on her 90th birthday

Mrs Anna C. Comia

Public School Teacher

Dec 21, 1928 -  January 29, 2001

Biographical Sketch

Early Life

Anna C. Comia was born on December  21, 1928  year of the Dragon month of Sagittarius to Anastacio Gutierrez Del Carmen and Marcela Castillo in the bo. of Pinagcurusan, Alitagtag, Batangas. As the youngest child in the family, she had  2 brothers, Domini, Guden; and 4 sisters, Tina, Conching, Lita, and Siang. Her families on both sides lived for many generations in the community as landowners tending sugar farmlands, betel leaves and areca nut plantation, coffee, cacao,  and fruit orchards. - { Genealogy on my mother side to follow soon as I have to trace back the origin of the family, I still recalled the memory of my grandparents during my younger days before they died}.

Education

She first studied and completed her Elementary Education in Alitagtag High School until war broke out.  As a precocious learner, she can speak fluent Japanese which she proudly told her story to us that one instance during the occupation, they encountered a Japanese soldier at the checkpoint where she communicated very well and to the amazement of the family, they were not bothered and let them past without further questioning.

She took her 1st Year High School in Fabella High School in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro after the war when her father brought some members of the family to their new homestead property. Subsequently completed her secondary education in Batangas High School on the following years.

She was about to graduate in her Elementary Teachers Degree at Western Philippine College{ University of Batangas} in 1952 when my father Gabriel eloped with her to the furious of my grandfather. My grandfather proposed and built a school and the supposed teacher was my mother Anna. {Ganyan kahusay si tatay Gabriel dahil beterano sa WW2 kaya sanay sa gyera at walang takot  na baka tamaan ng bala- kahit nakasukbit lagi ang mga  .45cal ng mga kapatid ng inay ko..} He is a strong Tiger year born and besides I was already 2 or 3months inside my mother.

Love Story

My mother being a bunso and colegiala, her family was so overprotective of her not even letting wash the dishes and just concentrate on her studies. My father noticed her and they both fall in love at first sight when their stars crossed path on one occasion hosted by my father's relative. My mother's family having big expectations for their young lady, does not approve the love of my father not even allowing him to visit the house for they prefer a highly educated guy.  But true love nothing else matters, no matter what status in life.

My father Gabriel was an ambitious man. Being the eldest in the brood of 5 was orphaned from the father at an early age and became the breadwinner of the family. Higher education was set aside to support the family. He joined the Army during WW2 and became a war veteran which the pension benefited my mother during her last days. He was supposed to go to Guam for the Korean war but dropped the list because of his family.

It took three years before my parents were able to reconcile with the old man through the assistance, help, and persuasions of my mother's siblings, Soon my parents were able to get love and reconciliation, and as a compromise, our family transferred to Oriental Mindoro where my parents built our first house adjacent the school. 

Since undergraduate of college and raising children, my mother was not able to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher not until the 5th child, the youngest was born, that she decided to complete the unfinished unit requirements of the degree. I was already 2nd-year high school when she passed the board and became a registered teacher. This served our inspiration to endeavor hardship in fulfilling dreams no matter how hard it is.

Career 

Mother loved her profession so much. We used to see her writing lesson plans every night.  Even though we have only kerosene lamp to light the house, she managed to do her chores conscientiously.  Typical quality for a Sagittarius much more for a dragon born - there were lots of stories to hear, some are of her original creation.  She loved to tell stories - novela type to be continued tale much to our delight as well as her students. She has lots of original poems shared, original songs and dance creations. She was known in the community for her talent in creative writings, organizer of church-based kapisanan ng "Alay sa Mayo Festival and Sagala" and ghostwriter of my Father 's job as Barangay Chairman for many years.

                    Picture of my father Gabriel, Inay, Roy, Boy, Me and my 3 Daughters Charis, Gabrielle and JO  ( photo was taken in 1984 }

It was 1985 when she lost her inspiration and love of her life - the loss of my father from a sudden heart attack at a very young age of 57 yrs old. As she was left alone in Mindoro, her only consolation was her students, co-teachers, and school.  After approximately 3Oyrs in government service, she retired.

US Immigrant

Inay in Las Vegas, Nevada with Boy's Daughter

Inay with Boy mother-in-law, in Las Vegas

The year 1995 or 1996  when she was petitioned by my brother Boy to live in the USA as Immigrant specifically Las Vegas, Nevada. She enjoyed living in the US very much, if not for the cancer affliction of my sister Delia, she would not have returned until obtained the citizenship status.

                              { L-R }   Roy, Esy, Inay, Boy and Me.. photo was taken in  1999 , Mindoro

She returned to the Philippines in 1999 and took care of my only sister Delia whose health was already deteriorating, and after which succumbed to death of breast and bone cancer after suffering for 1O months.

She wished to go back to Nevada but did not make it and died after Christmas on January 2OO1.

HAPPY 9OTH BIRTHDAY, INAY!