As is usual in the Philippines, the last night of a wake is the “gala night,” and everybody makes it a point to be there.
During the last evening of Daddy’s wake, there was quite a social crush because everybody who was anybody was there…
At that time, in 1990, it was not yet fashionable to have wakes and funerals with full, hotel cafe-style buffets and liquor bars catered by “Le Souffle,” “Via Mare,” “Sugi,” “La Tasca,” the way it is de rigueur now for society funerals in the 2000s. But my Daddy’s being a Capampangan wake, and a Gonzalez one at that, had the equivalent of all those full buffets with a barrage of good food from the house, from Brother Andrew’s [ Lola Charing’s ], and from Gene’s Cafe Ysabel. One could have spent the day at Beda Gonzalez’s wake and be full to the rafters. One Capampangan lady, Lola Amalia U.-L., brought home from the wake an entire balikbayan box filled with wrapped slices of Brunn butter cake. Harharhar…
“Condolences, comadre, condolences…”
“Our prayers for Beda, comadre…”
“We’re always thinking of you, comadre…”
My beleaguered mother Pilar was saying goodbye to the three sisters of her sister-in-law when the tall, 6’0″ Jo Panlilio opened the door and strode majestically into the chapel [ as in a society ball ], in the process throwing the three sisters off-balance as their big handbags fell to the carpeted floor and burst open…
Aaayyy…
OUT rolled cans and cans of sodas and juices, mixed nuts, canapes in paper napkins, wrapped sandwiches, various pastries, wrapped slices of cake, chocolates, candies, and so much else in FULL VIEW… of everybody else!!!
It was sooooo embarrassing for the three sisters and they didn’t know what to do…
“AY… BUKING!!!” sighed one sister, her mouth agape.
To which my grieving mother innocently offered: “Ay, marami pa niyan sa loob! Gusto niyo pa?”
Harharhar!!! 😛 😛 😛
remembrance of things awry 
Dennis Tioseco, Esq. said,
February 17, 2015 at 8:33 pm
Toto,
Condolence.
Dennis
Noni Agulto said,
January 6, 2010 at 9:44 am
hahahahaha….nice one
Anthony Locsin said,
January 3, 2010 at 4:19 am
Manners are a reflection of the parents’ neglect in discipline. Maybe they were too busy in their business of getting rich, that they forgot to teach manners to their children. Or maybe some of those old rich persons were already down on their luck and were just trying to keep up with the Joneses.
Raendell Reyes said,
December 11, 2009 at 11:29 pm
exactly
…..
Vina Pelaez said,
December 10, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. . . . .
Paz Atienza said,
December 7, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Well, I know of some mayaman who rush to buffet tables during formal dinners as soon as the covers of the food warmers are lifted. Poise and class are thrown out the window. Worse, a good number of them push their way to make a new line just so they can easily grab the serving utensils.
I remember an incident at a parish event in at Greenmeadows where I was invited. I was in line and waiting for my turn when suddenly I saw a hand grab the serving spoon before I could get it — and it was my turn to get my food! The culprit was a bejeweled, heavily made-up and perfumed lady. In my mind, all I could say was — girl, your manners don’t match your overall look!
Toffee Tionko said,
December 7, 2009 at 6:06 am
LOL!
rouel dionisio said,
December 5, 2009 at 5:34 pm
oh my, i remember my mom told me that food was being served every 15 minutes… she saw the rich people at your dad’s wake… hmmm heheheh nakakahiya raw… kung sino pa ang mayaman super-pasok daw ng ensaimadas, mini-pizzas, and coke in can sa bags nila… 😛