Emerenciana Monte Aviso

Updated..

The Way I Remember my Mother

By Dante Aviso

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Mom was born on January 23, 1924 in Magallanes, Sorsogon.

I lost my mother a week before Mother’s Day in 2018. This is the second year that I celebrated Mother’s Day with out her in a physical sense.  I am sure she always watches over us. There is no single day that I do not think of her. She was an amazing woman. 

My parents married on June 23, 1946.

My mom, Emerenciana Monte Aviso was born on January 23, 1924 in Magallanes, Sorsogon in the Philippines. She was the eldest among 9 children. She met my Dad, Jose Dipon Aviso during the height of World War 2. Soon after the war ended, they got married on June 23, 1946. They had 11 children but unfortunately my sister, Potenciana died suddenly as an infant. The family moved to Albay from Sorsogon in the late 1950’s. I was born in Daraga, Albay in 1965. 

Celebrating her 93rd birthday in Winnipeg.

I have lots of good memories growing up and being the youngest I was very close to my mother. I rarely see my Dad growing up as he is always travelling in neighbouring towns and fishing villages. My dad was a fish dealer/broker. Like most families in the province, life was not easy. There were ups and downs but my parents were able to raise their 10 children despite of difficult years.  My mother was a storekeeper/owner in the public market in Daraga. I used to hang out and helped my mother tending the store after school and on weekends. Being around my mother gave me a sense of security and protection. I knew how hard she worked so she can send us to school and put food on the table (of course with the help of my dad). As early as 6 years old, I was already helping my mother in the store. My early business training started at an early age, no wonder until now , I always think of making business.  Closing the store  every night is always a thrill for me because it’s either were going to the movie to catch the last full show in the nearby theatre or get my comfort food like pork barbecue on skewers or pansit (noodles). There was a time that I remembered why our porch in the house is always full of people and strangers especially on the weekends. My mother told me that they are vendors and merchants from other towns and they need to spend the night here before they go back to their town in the early morning. My mother was so generous and hospitable. We are not well off but we are ready to help and share what we have. 

My mother passed away at the age of 94 in Winnipeg,Canada. She did not leave us money or material things but she left a legacy of love, compassion, generosity and empathy. I dearly miss her. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.