our special tribute...

to the mentor we all loved dearly,

who joined our Creator on 11 Oct 2005 at the age of 90...

MS. SOLEDAD C. DE GUZMAN

5 Dec 1915 - 11 Oct 2005

(most recent message received is automatically placed on top)

i am extremely saddened to hear of Ms. De Guzman's passing. i could not help but cry knowing she would not be there during the reunion. i had planned to personally seek her out even when i come to my family reunion in february 2006. i had wanted so much to personally thank her and tell her how much i appreciated her. both her and ms. cadiz had such an impact ---- their kind words to me have stayed with me through all these years. Ms De Guzman's was more like a backhanded compliment, yet i appreciated it. i did not realize it then like i realize it now, how much i needed those kind words during that period in my life.

with that, i end this email with another encouragement to those who shy away from bonding with classmates/batchmates that are part of this group. at one point or another, we die and move on. despite the size of this group, it will be bound to reduce in size as the years go by. opportunities to renew friendships and to make new friends with those whom you did not get a chance to know in the past will soon be lost. please do not waste time ... if you are unable to join in the reunion, please take the time to call, email or write to someone. i exhort you to take this time to say thank you to those whose lives have impacted yours and to say hello to those whom you are wanting to know more. PEACE!

Jacqui Lozada
Batch81
USA

My deepest sympathy for the loss of our beloved teacher, may God bless you all who she had left behind . CONDOLENCE!

Cynthia Olidan
Batch74
Philippines

Thanks again for giving us updates about Miss De Guzman. My nephew from Davao City assured me that they will offer a mass for her.

sincerely,

Connie Cordero
Batch78
USA

Salamat sa info. Will offer prayers/masses for her.

Mahinhin David-Sazon
Batch64
USA

Hello To All,

A mass will be offered for our beloved Ms. Soledad De Guzman at Don Bosco Makati, 6 pm on October 22, 2005, Saturday.

Pls. come and join us in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Thanks and Best Regards,

Tintin Aguirre-Hain & Christine Baluyut-Espiritu
Batch81
Philippines

Dear Maryans,

Praised be Jesus and Mary!

Life is a gift to live to the full as Christ said in the gospel of St. John: " I have come that you might have life and have it to the full." Jn. 10:10. We really don't know when the Lord will come and fetch us to be with Him eternally. Death is inevitable. We don't know as to when, where and how we will die. Miss de Guzman is really loved by the Lord for she lived a quiet and peaceful life and so she died peacefully in the bossom of our loving Father. We met last August 16, 2005 and I was surprised that she got my cell number and address. All of a sudden , Jean Alviar called me up and greeted me on my birthday last Oct. 11 and broke the news about the death of Ate Sol. I was amazed but God's ways are not our ways. If it's our time to go, then we cannot say no to His Will. Since we are just pilgrims here on earth, we've got to be ready all the time. How ready are we to face Jesus and answer the question only we can answer? I'm now in my twilight years at 56, I've got to be ready to answer the question how I lived the life He has given me... Did I do all out of LOVE? You and I will surely answer this when we come face to face with Jesus. So, let's move on and make Jesus as the center of our Lives with Mary and Mother Ignacia.

Miss de Guzman is now resting in peace and the best gift we can offer her especially on her birthday Dec. 5 is our prayers. Congratulations to the Maryans and her co-teachers who were with her in her last last moment here on earth. Praying for you and your loved ones too. I can't forget Miss de Guzman because she died on my birthday like my own mother.

Good luck to all of us and God bless!

Love and prayers,
Sr. Ma. Herminia Gornes, RVM
Philippines

Thank you for all the update and information. It's great to hear that family and friends were present during her cremation. It's overwhelming to see how all of our batchmates and friends responded with her passing. So many people cares for her. I can see her smiling up there and looking at us now, very proud of what we have all accomplished.

To all my dear batchmates & all other batches copied on this email, I know we all share the same sorrow. We should keep in mind the good memories we shared when she was still around. It has been a great privilege to have Ms. de Guzman as one of our teachers in St. Mary's. We've never seen such dedication and passion on her teaching career.

I can share with you how lucky we were (Ruby batch81) to have Ms. de Guzman as our adviser. She taught us so many good traits as a class, to appreciate one another...I'm sure we will all cherish those wonderful moments.

Thanks to all who are offering prayers and masses all over the globe. You make me all proud! It's a blessing to have known each one of you. This is a great group of people we have. Let's not take each other for granted. Get together and find time to spend time with friends and family even with your busy schedule...no matter where you are.

Ms. de Guzman...you're in our thoughts, wishes and prayers. May the Lord bring you peace and love and light.

Take care you all and God bless always,

Beth dela Rosa-Surban
Batch81
USA

hi, maraming maraming salamat for keeping us up to date. i received your earlier email pero lost for words and can't help the tears, marami ng taon ang nagdaan and the thing that keeps going thru my mind now is "if only"....maraming "ifs" pero dahil nga after highschool naging busy na forging a career, tapos family life, bringing up kids, di na nahanap ang panahon mag reconnect earlier.

alam mo, it was funny how bini and i talked about her earlier, naalala ni bini how ms de guzman used to issue her with late passes (palagi kasing late pag papasok sa school, layo pa kasi ng biyahe), i remembered her strictness and same as Connie how she smiled when we praised her new hairdo. I am pretty sure she had a soft spot for all her students but tried hard not to show it.

(front & back sample of the late pass courtesy of BiniDavid)

Back in 2001, Gerlay asked me to write a letter sa souvenir program and to recap, I wrote...." There were more teachers and RVM sisters to thank for. They made our teenage lives easier. They transcended beyond their roles as teachers to being our best friends, our confidantes, and our mentors."

Ms de Guzman was one of those. It saddens me to hear that Ms. de Guzman has passed away. She was very much a part of our highschool life, like Ms Cadiz, she left an imprint in our hearts. I shall do the same here in Sydney, will have mass offerings at St Patrick's Church in Sydney for the repose of her soul.

Warmest regards,

Gilda Agsunod
Batch76
Australia

tama ka connie, iba ang epekto ng ngiti ni msD pag binibigyan sya ng compliments...ang laki ng change sa mukha nya from nanggigil dahil meron na naman mga hindi nagpupulot ng kalat sa campus to that big smile pag sinabihan mong ang ganda ng hairdo nya...eh ngayon siguro forever na nakapaskel sa mukha nya ang ngiti, what with all these manifestations of love for her galing sa kung saan-saan...binulong ko nga sa kanya in my prayers last night, sana tulungan nya tayo hanapin lahat ng mga MIA's in all batches, am sure magtatayo na yun ng committee with the angels up there...

she is indeed an inspiration...hindi rin ako nanghihinayang sa 4 years ko with her under the maryan student government...siguro sa Taas ngayon, meron na sila morning formation daily sabay exercise to the tune of yoyoy villame's signature song...masayang-masaya si miss deGuzman, sigurado tayo jan...w

Thank you for giving us this info. I forwarded this to the rest of my batchmates. I also relayed this email to my sisters in Toronto and Davao City. My Ate Babes (Toronto) and my Ate Mila (Davao City) will offer a mass for Miss De Guzman. 5 kaming Maria na na under kay Miss De Guzman, my Ate Mila being the eldest (she is in her mid 50's na) and me, being the youngest of the girls. We are truly grateful for having a wonderful History and Pilipino teacher. I will miss her smile lalu na whenever we give her compliments like, Miss, ang ganda ganda ng shoes mo, or your hairdo/dress..she will just give us a big, big smile.

Sincerely,
Connie Cordero-Hassaram
Batch78
USA

hello again all...

beewa was able to talk to ms de guzman's nephew, who had been staying in the same house caring for ms de guzman ever since she retired due to an accident sometime in the late 80's...apparently, she had pneumonia for the last couple of months, been in and out of capitol gen hosp, and that she wasn't keen on going back to the hosp again during more recent attacks....

perhaps she knew it will be over soon and wanted to be in their home should the inevitable happen...she suffered from arthritis, renal failure and had cardiac arrest when it did finally happen...she was 90 years old...she devoted a little over 40 years of academic service to SMA...

miss sanchez (miss green to most of us) called me up this evening, supposedly to bring me the news and to request that i relay this to other maryans on my contact list...i told her i have been informed by SMA this morning...she said she was able to go to the crematorium together with 3 other maryans from batch 57, 63 and 66 and they prayed the rosary at the start of the cremation...ms de guzman's younger sister was there as well and they all stayed for an hour or so...it seems that it's miss de guzman's final wish not to hold any wake and to have her body cremated just as soon as possible...

i have told ms sanchez about masses being offered for ms de guzman at Sta Clara (oct 12, 6pm), in Laguna (oct 12, 6pm), in Sydney, in Melbourne, and in the US, all from the upsurge of email replies from former students who are all saddened about her leaving just when so many reunions are being planned and are expecting to be able to see her soon...ms sanchez relays her appreciation to everyone and promised to call the sister & nephew immediately thereafter to inform them that many of us are praying for her repose...

knowing ms de guzman, who always had this stubborn streak and were pretty much the type who refuse to let people see her weak side or tired body, i am pretty sure it was indeed her final wish not to let her students see her like that in her final moments...true enough, i couldn't bring myself to imagine her as someone suffering from any illness...she stayed in my mind as the ever-strong and unbreakable individual, with the saying 'larger than life' fit to a T as far as she's concerned...i believe she is very happy right now seeing all of us thinking so much about her and knowing she's been one of the greater influences in our respective lives...w

Thanks for this message. Am deeply saddened by this news especially in light of the homecoming activities and our looking forward to seeing her at that time. We remember her especially for her contribution and dedication to learning. It is indeed a great loss.

Have posted this message to our batch's e-group for their kind prayers for the repose of her soul. Will discuss as a batch on who can attend and mass card, etc.

Many thanks for the kind information.

Sincerely,
Germaine Angeles-Reyes
Batch80
Philippines

thanks for the info about ms. de guzman. who could ever forget her? i think she's one of the most dedicated teachers we had in school. I'll relay this news to my 4 other sis na naging students din nya.

i'll offer a prayer for her...

Tel Alvarado
Batch81
USA

Hi to Everyone,
I finally am able to access my e-mail. Anyway, it's really sad news about Ms. de Guzman. Although she was strict, she's one of the good teachers at SMA. I will offer a mass for her today too.

Nida Transfiguracion-Abuan
Batch81
USA

hello again...thank you to all those from various batches who have responded immediately and relayed this to their respective batch/groups...

we have not much additional info except that the funeral parlor employee who answered the phone inquiry said the ashes will be claimed a few days later, she doesn't know exactly if the claimant is a relative or neighbor as no one is there right now...there is also no wake nor any mass scheduled for her...no chapel was reserved...

one of our committee members, Beewa Pasamba-Roque is nearest araneta avenue so she will be there at 3:30pm to attend the cremation...she will try to find and talk to a relative or neighbor who might be there, as the person who answered her call could not provide any other details...

another batchmate, Roan Villanueva, is on her way now to Sta Clara to schedule a mass offering at 6pm tonite (if it will still be accomodated, otherwise it will be for 6am tomorrow)...she will then proceed to SMA to request that the mass schedule is posted at the bulletin board for all those who may be able to attend...this mass offering we've scheduled is on behalf of batches 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 86, 87...

again, many thanks, God Bless! - w

Thanks for the info. I already forwarded this news to batch 86. May she rest in peace!

Clarissa Francisco
Batch86
USA

may her soul finally rest in peace. will enroll her for perpetual prayers at the passionist monastery.

LakanBini David De Belen
Batch76
USA

Thanks for the info. We'll pray for her. Do you have any idea how old she was? I hope we can get more info re wake or a service for her. It's just so sad but the most important thing is, she's in a better place now.

Love & Peace,
Jane Miclat-Rhea
Batch81
USA

Will offer prayers for the repose of her soul. May she rest in peace. I think she's happy wherever she is 'coz there are a lot of her students and friends who remember her and are offering prayers for her.

Nelia Loyola-Bello
Batch81
USA

hello to all,

will also offer mass tomorrow, 6 pm here in our subdivision for our dear adviser. may she rest in peace.

yesterday we just mentioned her name and have plan of visiting her.... yun pala she already joined our creator. will always remember her.

Christine Baluyut-Espiritu
Batch81
Philippines

Hi, sorry to hear about Ms. de Guzman...she's one teacher who made a great impact in our lives as students. We surely had good memories of her back in HS days. Sana, maalala din ako ng mga pupils ko when my turn comes. Not too early, I hope...

Vina Eribal
Batch81
Papua New Guinea

Lungkot naman ako kay Miss De Guzman. Meron na pa-mass? (sent via YM)

Ge Paloma-Bernardo
Batch81
Philippines

hi. this is sad news. will pray for her. thanks. (sent via text)

Menchu Carrasco-Rogacion
Batch81
Philippines

salamat...ang lungkot naman. i thought makikita ko pa siya next year...will offer mass for the repose of her soul.

Lucy Bravo-Inocencio
Batch81
Australia

dear all,

i know all of you will feel this great loss especially during this time of re-uniting with former school & batchmates but please be informed that Ms. Soledad de Guzman has joined our Creator early this morning...cremation is scheduled this afternoon at the Funeraria Paz in Araneta Ave., QC...may her soul rest in peace with our Lord and Savior...

let us pray for her and include her in our daily prayers, thank you...

Winwin S. Andres
Batch81
Philippines

Text Message from SMA Pasay, received at 8:53am, 11 Oct 2005:

Ms. de Guzman passed away this morning, CREMATION will be this afternoon at Funeraria Paz, Araneta Ave., QC. FYI.

(our special thanks to Mrs. Mila Sarte,
Ms. Josie Sanchez, Ms. Marie Ramos)