Shoutout to Dad: Happy 85

"I just fed the turkeys, the geese and the chickens this morning. They keep following me wherever I go, asking for more food. The are like soldiers marching, making a lot of noise, honking. I look forward to seeing you again this afternoon. I miss you all, so with your sister. I miss your Lola very much. How I wish you are all here with me. Perhaps this summer, Kimi. - last diary entry written by Dr.Enrique Lolarga Jr. from a farm in Pangasinan, dated Jan. 2, 1992, and addressed to his eldest granddaughter Kimi. Dad died 10 days later.

Among Dad's classmates in medical school, they had a tradition of contracting one another's surnames and turning them into their nicknames (e.g., Bascara became Basky; Lolarga became Loly). Somewhere along the way, Loly was how Enrique Lolarga Jr. also became known to his in-laws. Junior was what his parents and siblings called him. Loly became father to eight kids. Loly expanded to the Lollikins to include Mom, my siblings and I, our spouses, our children and now our own grandchildren.

Dad and Mom flank their five grandchildren. This is dated 1987 judging by how young that kid in the baby carrier is. The last three apo, Sara, Christian and Bianca, were born after Dad departed. The kyootie patooties in this photo provided by my sister Embeng are arranged according to age (from eldest to youngest): Carlo, Paolo, Kimi, Marga and Ida.

We're missing brother Junic here in our near-complete family portrait (he took the picture) and the three sons-in-law of Dr. Lolarga (Rolly Fernandez, Obet Trinidad and Rod Susi, also acknowledged according to age). Today we say to you, Dad: Mabuhay ka! At mabuhay din ang mga Lollikins!

Dad's 21st

"In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."--from The Book of John, Chapter 14, Verse 2 

Daddy (right) on the old Azcarraga street in Manila

Dr. Lolarga (standing behind his son Dennis who would grow up to become a doctor, too) and family all dressed up for Christmas in the year of our Lord 1966. The other babies in the group are the children of Fritz and Chiqui Server: Catherine and Joey.

The Clan Lolarga gathers around the dining table of Ernesto and Erlinda Lolarga, Malumanay street, Teachers Village, Quezon City, in 1969. Clockwise: Babeth pointing to a plate of pancit, a laughing Auntie Fe L. Valdellon, Toots L. Romero, Minnie and Tongpet Lolarga, Auntie Pacing L. Romero, Louie Lolarga, Nene Lolarga carrying her youngest child Gigi, Daddy and another unidentified cousin.

Dad standing with a cup of goodwill beside me at the joint birthday celebration of the April borns in the clan. Seated are my younger sis Embeng and husband Obet Trinidad.

Dad, or Lolo Daddy, as he was known to his grandchildren, with Marga L. Susi, Ida and Kimi L. Fernandez one Christmas morning at the Trinidad home in Quezon City.

Dennis carries Ida so she can say farewell to Lolo Daddy in January 1992.

Some family members bravely smile through their grief, the children unaware of its magnitude. Others hide swollen eyes behind sunglasses. The grandsons of Enrique and Nene Lolarga were running around Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina that day (if my memory for small details is correct) and couldn't pause for a family portrait. Front row (from left): Kimi, Marga and Ida. Back row (same order) are: Rod and Pinky Susi, Eric, Gigi, Mommy, Babeth and Dennis Lolarga, Obet and Embeng,Rolly Fernandez and Suzy Lolarga. Photo by SV Epistola

Today, Dad's 21st anniversary of departure from this earth, promises to be a good one. Dad, this illustration is for you. Pooh always says it so well for me.