Supposed to be a joyful moment to celebrate this amazing artist's centenarian birthday but only few days before the 100th celebration she passed away and she is now on the other side of the veil.
I admire her for reaching this golden age.
I was once a student of her institution as a grade schooler so when I read about her passing on social media as it was posted, I took the time to attend the special tribute to celebrate her life.
But it's sad to know that my previous alma mater already ceased in operation since last year, it was sold and was bought by a famous food supplement company in the country. There's a new owner and they will put up a Japanese language training school to our previous academy of the arts.
This is the group picture of the founder's alumni community in which she graduated with Latin honors.
Even the Vice President of the Philippines sent sympathy flowers for the bereaved family, Madam is actually an icon in the field of culture and literary arts.
During the tribute majority of those who had spoken were writers, members of writer's guild.
I am amazed that not only writers were there during the tribute but visual artists as well.
The one who painted this beautiful painting was there too. 2 amazing paintings are displayed in the chapel of Ateneo wherein the tribute was held.
This is the other painting. These 2 paintings are astonishing. It depicts the cultural environment of the celebrant.
The painter of these lovely paintings also shared a message during the tribute, he highlighted how the celebrant helped him to become a successful visual artist.
At the end of the tribute the attendees were requested to stand up to sing a happy birthday song for the celebrant though she was no longer around to celebrate it, but in the hearts of those who love and admire her she remains alive.