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DIANE KRISTINA ("DIKKI")
(June
29, 1985 - December 25, 1987)
On June 29, 1985, a day before Tacloban's fiesta, a baby girl
was born to Nathan and Vilma at Bethany Hospital in Tacloban City. They named her "Diane Katrina." From the initials
of her name (D.K.) came her nickname, "Dikki." She was an intelligent little girl and it was a joy to teach her the
alphabet, numbers, nursery rhymes, and read to her children's books. On May 1, 1987, she was diagnosed to have leukemia. Watching
her suffering from this disease was an experience we can't ever forget. We felt so helpless and, at times,
desperate. But our God carried us through that difficult time. Even though she was just two years old, Dikki
kind of understood the seriousness of her situation and would cheer us up. She even told us that she'll be going to
heaven soon to be with Jesus. She died on Christmas Day, December 25, 1987. The Lord chose a very special day
to take a very special girl away to be with Him.
AURORITA-LOURDES ("LELIT")
(February 11, 1961 - January 8, 1993)
Our eldest, Aurorita-Lourdes, was born
on February 11, 1961 at Tacloban City. She was named after Mama's doctor (Aurorita) and the Lady of Lourdes. She had
a very long name so Mama gave her a beautiful nickname - "Lelit". Even at a young age, Lelit had a strong sense
of responsibility for her seven younger brothers and sisters. She loved to make plays, puppet shows, and comical
skits to entertain the younger kids. We had lots of fun growing up because of her. Lelit accepted Jesus as her
Savior when she was in college. Her commitment to Jesus led her to work with the World Vision Philippines and the Inter-Varsity
Christian Fellowship. She had craniopharyngioma in 1991 and, despite surgery, she died at age 30. She had a very
strong Christian testimony and her life had been a good example for us.
ATTY. FELIX V. EAMIGUEL ("PAPA")
(January
14, 1926 - February 25, 2001)
Our father (or "Papa") was a man who
valued education. He was our first teacher and he was determined that all his children would have a good education.
Being the sole breadwinner, sending all of his eight children to college wasn't an easy task. Still, he was able
to make it with God's help. We'll always be thankful for what he did for us. Papa also had a very good sense of
humor and his comments would often reduce us to laughter. He had very good work habits too and he would remind us to
"learn to love your work however humble it may be". Papa started smoking when he was in the 4th grade and he could never
stop smoking. How he tried but failed. Like Lelit, Papa also accepted Jesus as his Savior. He died
of lung cancer at the age of 75. No one in our family smokes because when we were young, he would keep telling
us never to start.
DAISY-OLIVA ("DAISY")
(April 19, 1967 - January 25, 2003)
Daisy was born on April 19, 1967 with a congenital heart defect and
she had been in and out of hospitals since she was a baby. She was determined to live a normal life as much as possible
and she wouldn't let her physical limitations keep her from achieving her goals. She was an encourager, a valiant
fighter with a big heart for people. She loved to laugh, enjoyed cooking and gardening, as well as giving a helping
hand to those who need it. She taught Science and Math at the Tabango National High School in Tabango, Leyte
where she was well-loved by her students and co-teachers. She died in 2003 from complications of her heart ailment.
We miss her very much but the thought that we'll see her again in heaven (she's also a born-again Christian), along with
Dikki, Lelit, and Papa, is a comfort to us.
BEATRIZ VELOSO SAN MIGUEL-EAMIGUEL ("MAMA")
(December 28, 1934 - October 25, 2012)
Our mother (or "Mama") was a gentle woman who loves her children very
much. She disciplined us with a look so it was our aim not to see the disappointment in her face when she caught us
misbehaving. Mama was very well-read and she can discuss any subject thoroughly. Many's the time when we would
sit in the dining table after a meal, just listening to her tell us the different varieties of bananas or anything that
was interesting to us. We will always remember her advice - "Don't study to pass because you will just pass, but
study to learn so you will pass and learn at the same time." It helped us through our years of studying. It is
a comfort to know that someday, Mama will be there to welcome us in heaven.
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