When I was studying in New York, I was under the care of my foster mother, Aurora Manalili Ocampo. Alone and at the objection of her parents, she migrated to the United States in the 1980s in search of greener pastures—and she found them working as a customer and sales agent for Delta Airlines. This courage and determination remained a running theme in her life and, indeed, as she tread her last few months here on Earth.
Tita Au taught me how to iron clothes, cook in the style of the Capampangans, treat women like a true gentleman, and, most important, how to enjoy life. She raised four sons—me being the fourth, and retired early.
Retirement was indeed good. Her pension allowed her to travel to the Philippines every year. She spent more quality time with her husband Jorge. But lightning struck when she was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and given three months to live. Every time I go to the United States, I always give her a call.
Tita Au is the kind of person who, once she’s set her mind to it, is determined to achieve it. She is unbending, unyielding; and it is with this spine of steel that she lived her life. No one could stop her when she decided to move to Florida, or construct her vacation house in Pampanga, or even when she refused medical treatment for the tumor.
In hindsight, she reminds me of another influential woman: Margaret Thatcher. The so-called Iron Lady was Britain’s Prime Minister, infamous for her bold economic policies but admired for her grit and determination. Unfortunately for her, Parliament voted her out of office, but her legacy of persistence carries on.
In life, people who remain true to who they are will always find peace and prosperity. Whenever crises appear, they remain balanced because they know what they should do.
In business, companies who know who they are survive and flourish despite all kinds of trials. Starbucks, for example, knew the exact nature of its business. CEO Howard Schultz understood that Starbucks was not just selling coffee, but an experience and a social status. So even when other coffee shops cut their prices, Starbucks doesn’t balk, knowing that its business is beyond just selling coffee. It was not an instant success but it prospered because it remained true to itself. It did not see 3 in 1 coffee mixes, as well as mom and pop coffee bistros as competitors. It did not have any problems with its identity, just like my Tita Au.
As a believer, I try my best not to waver especially when trials test my faith. So many before us acted with their faiths. Chapter 11 of Hebrews mentions Abraham, Noah, Jacob, Moses and Samuel as among those persons whose faith delivered them to perform His will despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds. We all must remain true to who we are. As His children, we must strive to keep our eyes on Him. We may not get what we prayed for, but we will always get what is good for us. My Bible study mentor told me that I should be happy whenever trials come my way since He gives these trials to make me draw closer to Him.
In Hebrews 11:39-40, the Bible says, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Life is a cycle of fortunate and unfortunate events. Our balance will be tested by untimely events like a brain tumor in the case of my Tita Au. To be able to withstand these events, we simply have to remain true to who we are—children of our loving Father. Remain strong and unyielding, Tita Au. I love you.