By Leo Udtohan
She died Thursday at the age of 96. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the queen had passed away at Balmoral Castle, her official summer residence in Scotland.
With the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth on Thursday, Prince Charles has finally become king of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms, ending a wait of more than 70 years - the longest by an heir in British history.
When I visited the United Kingdom in 2017, I didn't meet Her Majesty at her official residences at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Even our Boholano friends-- Panglao’s First Lady Annie Arcay in August 2015, and Andy Digal Doria in March 2018-- who visited Buckingham Palace didn’t meet Queen Elizabeth.
I wished to have seen her in person even from afar. I love watching and reading stories of her life and other royals. It was still amazing to have seen her (my closest encounter with The Queen) in post boxes and stamps, and of course, their pound sterling.
The Queen was also known for her words of comforting wisdom, her stalwart approach to tough times, and ability to laugh through joyful ones. Her speeches and quotes throughout the seven decades of her reign have provided guidance, support and happiness to an entire nation and beyond.
Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of disagreements. - The Queen's speech to heads of state aboard the royal yacht Britannia, October 1989
While we have faced challenges before, this one is different. This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed - and that success will belong to every one of us. - Televised address on April 5, 2020, after the outbreak of COVID-19
We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again. - Televised address on April 5, 2020, after the outbreak of COVID-19
While we’re remembering Her Majesty, provincial board member Jamie Aumentado-Villamor also shares an anecdote about The Queen:
Layo ang United Kingdom, pero I feel the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on a personal level. Imagine having to rule a kingdom and lead Commonwealth of Nations at a young age of 25. Through stagnation and prosperity, I admire her ability to maintain a dignified monarchy.
I have studied and learned about the Queen and her long reign. I read and watched the United Kingdom’s history, HERstory. Always been a follower since my teenage years. Always fascinated by her sense of duty, of service, steadfast leadership, well-thought of strategic decisions since at a young age of 25 as Queen, her diplomatic achievements. Worth mentioning, the Queen’s strong and enduring relationship with Prime Minister Winston Churchill during the World War II. And of course, her enduring and lasting marriage with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. And yes, mag kilig-kilig pa gani ko nila.
She was also an adorable grandmom. I’ve been telling Lola Grenie, “mura jud ka si Queen Elizabeth. Kay cute kaayo.”
Rest in Peace, Your Majesty.
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Remembering Ruth, 21 years since
On Sept. 9, 2001, my sister Ruth or "Neneng" to her friends, left us at a very young age - sweet seventeen. It was the saddest moment that we were overwhelmed with grief at that time.
Sometimes, we asked ourselves if she was alive, how many children would she have? She would probably be a fashion designer or with our other cousins abroad.
Her nephews and nieces have not seen her as their "Tita" nor heard her voice.
Twenty-one years may have passed, but still, we have not forgotten her.
Indeed, there is no time limit on coping with grief and loss.
The family's belief in Jesus Christ and the afterlife for those who believe in Him has helped the process easily.
Being a Torah observant, Jewish tradition encompasses all of life, day and night, light and dark. Even in the most difficult of situations--the imminent and then actual loss of a loved one--the Torah is there to strengthen, guide, and help us grow and see beyond our loss.
Slowly, we've overcome the pain, emptiness, and feelings of loss.
What is death? This is best answered with another question: What is life?
May her
memory be a blessing.
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Most memorable lines from our newsmakers (and why we are moved, if we are moved):
Gov. Aris Aumentado on the construction of SM Supermall in Bohol: The deal is done in our meeting. Within four to five years, we will experience the services of the new mall. More big businesses will come. The economy will boom.
Engr. Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls senior vice president for mall operations, on the construction of an SM Supermall branch in Bohol: We are welcome here in Bohol. We felt Bohol is business- friendly. That is important to us.
Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap on "PinasLakas" booster vaccination drive in Bohol: This is to continue our economic recovery. Now, there are many investors who are interested in Tagbilaran City and Bohol. Please, get boosted.
Dr. Jaime Bernadas, director of the Department of Health-Central Visayas during "PinasLakas" booster vaccination drive in Bohol: Ayaw nato hulata nga ang bakuna mapildi na unya sa COVID, kinahanglan ang atong bakuna maoy makapildi sa COVID ug kana makab-ot kung atong paspasan nga macover kitang tanan para walay kabalhinan ug kapuy-an ang kagaw.
Rep. Alexie Besas-Tutor of Bohol’s third district on the new face mask policy against COVID-19: Again, DOH and IATF seem to be slow. The United States is already rolling out the boosters against the old and new variants of COVID. Will the Philippines be late again? The burden of proof is on DOH and IATF. They must show that the failures of 2020 and 2021 will not repeat now or ever again.
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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.
