THE FINAL CURTAIN

THE FINAL CURTAIN
Since the brief illness and eventual passing of Ana Dador, the friends of her family were always there. Why was there so much outpouring of emotions for the Dador family?

Simple.

The Dador family IS a FRIEND to each and every one of us! Their friendship is not only for the good times – but as the saying goes – through thick and thin. Ana was a great friend. In this tightly-knitted community of kindred spirits, agreements and disagreements abound, laughter and tears, saucy and sometimes below the belt jokes are exchanged. But all these never come out of this circle of friends.

Ana and Nestor were always the recipients of jokes – especially from Jun ‘JT’ Torres. His ‘Mommy, sya iwan mo na si Khaye sa akin’ or ‘Daddy, ‘wag kang mag papagod’ or ‘Khaye, love, ipagtimpla mo na ako ng kape…’ was met with laughters. And Ana will always say ‘Hala Khaye, mag durog ka ng bubog at isama sa kape nito…’ Or Nestor will say ‘Lagyan na ng lason ‘yan…’
How we all help Ana in ‘fighting’ Nestor. Khaye’s refreshing and genteel manners made everyone around them like and appreciate them more. Si Ana ang punong-abala sa pagluluto at paghahanda ng lahat, habang si Benjie Nadado ay nagluluto din. Isang buong pamilya na ang lahat ay kumikilos at tulong-tulong. Si Sherwin at si Stan, na madalas ay taga-sundo at hatid sa kanila, sya ring taga-saing at taga-hugas ng plato.

In sickness and in death, our hearts and prayers went with them. Annie Okoye in her anguish cried out ‘Why do I have to meet you?’ Her outburst was also borne out of her pain at the death of her own mother. Lito Nucum, while leading in one of the prayer meetings held while Ana was in her sickbed was so carried in his plea for Ana’s recovery, felt so numb at her passing. Stan Fernandez was so quiet in his grief and so was John Hernandez and Angie Alcaria.

The Mercado family (entire family in fact), Barraquias family, and the sisters at the Nunciature, Ampy Ronquillo and family, Mabelle Chen (who was always there, too), shared their grief quietly. So were the Herrera brothers, Efren Lim, Ric Punsalan, Chet Gatus, Medel Pasajol, Rex Lautrizo, Mercy Subibe, Tessie Azarcon, Lolit and Sheen, Adora and Melanie, Lotlot and Nelly and Berna, Anna and Shiela, Benny Cruz and many others.

All these time, Con-Gen. Alex V. Lamadrid was there for them. Every crisis, he was called. So was Rose Akah. That when blood donors were needed, she volunteered and many others like the seaman (Tirso) and as far away as Ibadan. Efren, classmate James, Cocoy, Doy, Alex Emam, Said and all the embassy staff were also at hand. Rose and Fely and Mabelle Chen were there at Ana's final breath. Malou Glaznig was there, too.

In death, friends as far as Port Harcourt, Joy Gimotea and friends, from Lagos, too, sent their condolences and financial assistance.

Si Ana ay mapag-alala and has genuine concern for people. Pag hinatid sila ni Sherwin, she made sure that he was safely back home. Ang kanyang mga hinanakit ay nailalabas niya at siya ay maluwag na tumatanggap ng criticism at mga payo.

Once, she complained that her picture didn’t appear (only in a very tiny group picture) in a paid publication, we all assured her not to worry, there will be plenty of her pictures for publication. It was very ironic indeed – now ONLY her pictures and memories remained!

To all her friends, we are the lucky ones who enjoyed her friendship. A very precious legacy a person can leave behind.
Below are the pictures who mourned her passing:

Sherwin Cayabyab, shown here, saying his last goodbye to Tita Ana.