Heaven Has Delicious Tinola Today.
Alvin Barcelona serenading Tita Neneng.
This morning, Tita Neneng died.
My dearest friend was 83 years old.
Who was she? She was God’s love to me. Really.
Let me tell you her incredible story.
She was a short, plumpish, silver-haired, never-been-married woman with a contagious laugh and a heart as big as a boat.
For years, she was a very successful businesswoman who owned a gigantic canteen in a hospital. All her life, she cooked and fed people. If she fed a human being and that human being said, “Sarap!” (Delicious!), she was in heaven.
I first met Tita Neneng in 1980, when she joined our tiny prayer group, Light of Jesus. After a few weeks, I noticed how people loved her. As their leader, people greeted me with respect. But when Tita Neneng walked into the prayer group, everyone stood up and adored her. Because each week, without fail, she brought a humongous pot of steaming Tinola (chicken soup) for everyone.
Here’s a secret I’d like to share with you…
She Was My Second Mother
One day, when I was only 18 years old, Tita Neneng pulled me aside and pressed a thick, white envelope in my hand. “Brother Bo,” she said, “I know you’ve been praying for a car. Instead of just praying for it, I’m giving you money to buy a second-hand car.”
I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was fifty thousand pesos in cash. It was the biggest amount I’ve ever held in my hand. In 1984, P50,000 was huge money.
But I simply couldn’t buy the car for myself. So months later, I told her, “Tita Neneng, I’m donating your money to the community. We need a community van more than I need a personal car.” She understood. “That’s up to you, Bo.”
She was like a second mother to me. Whenever she saw me, she’d give me food, stories, and laughter.
And when community needed money, she’d be the first person I’d call. “Tita Neneng, I want to buy a small piece of property for our community office. Will you help me?” She didn’t even ask me to explain. She pulled out her checkbook and wrote a check for P100, 000. (Today, that would be worth P500, 000.) Our office building is now sitting on that same property.
And when I ran out of money for the salaries of our full-time staffers, I called her up. When I greeted her, “Hi Tita Neneng,” she didn’t even let me speak. She just said, “I have a check for you. Visit me.”
But something happened when she was 70 years old…
She Left Everything For Love
She suffered a massive heart attack.
So massive, she died—for one minute.
Thankfully, the doctors were able to revive her.
I visited her in the hospital and I was shocked by her request. Even as she was still lying down in bed, this 70-year old woman said, “Brother Bo, I want to serve the Lord.”
I said, “Tita Neneng, you’re already serving the Lord.”
“No,” she said, “I want to serve in Anawim,” she said. “This is now my second life. Please let me live with the poor and cook for them everyday.”
Anawim was a ministry for the poorest of the poor that I started the year before. We housed the abandoned elderly in a 5-hectare property in Montalban.
Tita Neneng left everything—her big house, her air-conditioned room, and her brand new van. And she also left her businesses.
She lived in Anawim and took over the kitchen.
Tita Neneng moved into one of the houses where the poor old women we’d pick up from the streets stayed. In that house, she would share the same toilet with these street people.
It wasn’t an easy life. During these early years of Anawim, we didn’t even have electricity or running water.
But everyday, with great love, she’d cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner for hundreds of our Anawim residents. Indeed, we called her the Mother of Anawim.
Many times, she’d pull out her own money and give it to the ministry. Until one day, she said with a laugh, “Brother Bo, I don’t have money anymore. It’s all gone.”
She gave everything. Her strength. Her time. Her money. Her life.
The Happiest Woman I’ve Ever Met
Many times, we’d talk over lunch. She loved telling me, “Brother Bo, I can die right now. I’m so happy. What else will I ask for?” Every time she’d say these lines, she’d cry tears of joy. Believe me. She was one of the happiest persons I’ve ever met in my life.
Today, after 13 years of service to the poorest of the poor, she suffered another heart attack. This time, God didn’t let go of her.
Heaven is now celebrating.
No wonder.
God and his Angels must like Tinola too.
Do you want to be happy?
Serve the Lord like Tita Neneng.
It’s the greatest thing on planet earth.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
PS. Be another Tita Neneng. Anawim and our other ministries are supported by the www.KerygmaFamily.com Here’s a list of the exciting things we do.
· We house the abandoned elderly in a 5-hectare property called Anawim.
· We care for orphans in our orphanage called Tahanan.
· We help send 700 poor kids to school & feed 300 street kids in He Cares.
· We help a micro-lending program in 6 slum areas, also through He Cares.
· We built 200 houses for the poor in a GK village and a He Cares village.
· We have a 7-day a week Light of Jesus Counseling Ministry.
· We produce 3 TV shows: KerygmaTV, Mustard, and Fish.
· We air in Radio Veritas our daily radio show, Gabay sa Biblia.
· We have an internet TV show called PreacherInBlueJeans.com
· And so much more!
The cost to do all these run in the many millions. But with you around, I’m not afraid. Join us. We need more Tita Nenengs! Log on at www.KerygmaFamily.com now and be part of the family.
PS2. P100 Only! The Kerygma Conference is now selling P100 General Admission Tickets. (Those who bought P500 Tickets can—if they come early—sit at the Upperbox, Lowerbox, and Ringside seats of ULTRA.) You can buy tickets for all your friends! Reserve your tickets now. We don’t want you to miss out on the biggest event of the year. We’ve invited international speakers Fr. Bill Halbing and Bob Canton. Bob is an international healer who has been used mightily by God. For more information, please call Tel. (02) 7259999 or email us at kcon@kerygmaconference.com now.
PS3. Do you want to earn through Real Estate in the US—at a crisis such as this? My friend Trace Trajano has a great blog (and free webinars) you need to check out. He has wisdom to share with you. Log on at www.tracetrajano.blogspot.com now.
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As Christians we feel sad because we will miss her but at the same time assuredly at peace because she is now with our Lord who we love and who love us so much.
Wow! This is so touching! I wish I have the courage to be Tita Neneng someday.
Hi Bro. Bo
It is truly a pleasure to be blessed today with such an inspiring story. That story is the place where I want to put myself. I guess Tita Neneng did not even work a day of her life for she found a job she really loves. She denied herself of everything and that is very hard to do. But she did it for ETERNAL BLISS in heaven.
I have fond memories of Tita Neneng and her delicious dishes. I know her secret ingredient was the fullness of love generously added in every dish she made.
I know the heavens rejoice in welcoming her with a grand buffet of love.
I am a priest and i want to be happy too like tita neneng. her life is an eloquent homily for today’s world. A lot of us follow the secular standard of happiness. She taught us to follow the Christian standard of happiness. Indeed, life is not about having but giving. Emptiness paves the way for God’s pleasure. I know many affluent people who would only give P20 in the collection during the Mass while they earn hundreds of thousands a month. Just a disturbing thought. I’ll gonna post this story in our bulletin board so that people may know that amidst the material tug-of-war in this world, there was tita neneng who knew that giving oneself is the key to real happiness.
Bro. Bo,
I sure would love to have the chance to taste Tita Neneng’s tinola in heaven someday! Thank you for this wonderful and inspiring story. God bless you!
I feel so “little” compared to Tita Neneng… her service to the Lord is soooo inspiring! Sana magkaroon ako ng courage to do the same. Let’s all pray for tita Neneng. May she rest in peace!
Nanay Neneng is so sweet. Whenever we seen him, she’s always smiling, down-to earth type that we’ll be missing a lot. I remember moments with her was when we are at the Kerygma Feast. Whenever she seen a person, she will give you a smile. In fact I was inspired by her story. She’ll be surely be missed.
That was really inspiring. It’s so amazing what she has done with her life here on earth…Thank you Lord for people like her.
I was really inspired of Tita Neneng’s story. Full of love, contentment and happiness to serve. How I wish I could replicate her. May the Lord grant me the courage to be like Tita neneng.
For sure, whe had the greatest reward in heaven.
she’s having a time of her life with God…she’s an inspiration…
God bless Tita Neneng for her unbounded generosity and love towards others.
May the Lord grant us the strength and courage to dedicate our lives to His will and to live like Tita Neneng.
God bless her soul.
Nov. 11,2008
Dear Bro. Bo,
Thanks for the website, i was in the state of shock and mourn as I read your mail.
I had fond memories of titaneng,I was always at home everytime I visit her, she never allowed me to be a stranger in ANAWIM.
i JUST CANT contain my tears with the news, even though I knew she is so happy in heaven.
She was very much a different kind(beautiful) of creation of our Creator.
She really wanted to see my daughter before she left unfortunately, I was not able to visit again.
She had never an untiring moment to discuss to me the health of the old people .
Tita Neng give me your grace to continue to improve the health of the people in ANAWIM.
I LOVE you, I will miss you so much Tita Neng…
Cerie, Steph and Thea
It was sad that Tita Neneng’s already gone. She may not remember me, but I met her once or twice when I went to visit Anawim with my fellow doctors. Anawim is a very far place and when we got there, we were all tired from the byahe but we were very much amused with Tita Neneng’s stories and the aura of happiness around her, considering that she is surrounded by lonely, abandoned elderlies. I even brought my husband and my then 4-year old daughter with me, and she was also very much amused with my daughter.
When I met her, I promised to myself that I will serve the Lord with much passion and dedication like Tita Neneng. I thank God for having known her. May He bless her soul.
We will surely miss Tita Neneng.
Our encounter with her during our CYA days is one that we will treasure forever.
The brothers (and even the sisters) of Christ’s Youth in Action will miss her laughter, her inspiring words, and even the GOOOOOOD FOOOOOOOOOD she always prepares for us during the Anawim Summer Household of CYA Brothers that started in 1999 (I was there in 2000 and 2001).
We thank her for giving us the opportunity to be of service to the Anawim. Surely, her life really made a difference to all of us.
We love you and we’ll miss you, Tita Neneng.
i was deeply touched by this story bo. i remembered my aunt who did miracles in the kitchen as well; and just like tita neneng, my tita nanie laughed a lot and always had a ready smile for everyone.
people like them are indeed blessings in this life.
i was so touched by her lifestory…though i never met her, im happy knowing her through your story. thank you bro!
I was touched by Tita Neneng’s story, it was really inspiring.. It was a long time ago since me and Youth Alive visited ANAWIM and Tita Neneng was really happy to see us. I can see how she’s really grateful to see kids at ANAWIM.
I can still remember her message to us and i can feel that we are really welcome in that place. After reading this sadness fades ‘coz i know that she’s now happy in heaven with God.
I am humbled by this woman, Tita Neneng. Though I didn’t meet her, the angels are celebrating indeed and welcoming her.
Am I ready to leave the comforts of my home, my family and my loved ones as she did? Tough questions I can’t answer just yet!
This is an inspiring story. Really. I wish I can serve the Lord like Tita Neneng. Leaving everything for the Lord. I will have my time. I know God is still working on me and I am working on myself as well. When that time comes, I will be more than ready and my happiness will be full. Just like Tita Neneng’s.
Thank you Tita Neneng for showing us the way. Heaven must be having a “feast” now. =)
I had the privilege of meeting tita neneng as i was part of the first batch to visit anawim when it was opened to the public, which coincided on her 83rd birthday..It was a very brief encounter, but after I read your account of what she was like and how she served God, I couldn’t help but feel honored to have met her and to have taken part on what was to be her last birthday celebration.
I witnessed for myself how everyone who arrived that day at the chapel gravitated towards her and how i was unintentionally displaced from being seated beside her because everybody who went up to her doesn’t seem to want to leave her side especially the children.
Now, I clearly know why.
i wish there will also be a big event here in cebu. bro bo, im in my senior year of college, and this urge of having a relationship suddenly disturb me, pls pray for me. and ill be more inspired if you will have a huge event in cebu. we will all be inspired. God bless!
Bro. Bo,
I know, even how strong you seem to be, you are grieving. I don’t know personally who this great woman was, but I’m sure, she lived her life well, blessed others with her care.
Condolence to you and to those who know her. God is very good, He will heal everyone’s heart. Cry for her death, but celebrate her life.
God bless us all.
My hubby spent some months helping take care of the health concerns of our brothers and sisters in Anawim in 2005. I still remember Tita Neneng’s warmth and hospitality. She was overflowing with love.
We will miss her and she will be especially missed by the Anawim Community.
Thank you Tita Neneng for touching our lives and for inspiring and blessing us with your goodness.
She’s really an inspiration
Thanks bo, such an amazing story enough to start my Wednesday right. God bless!
AMAZING!!!! WONDERFUL…
Dear Ninong,
As i got to the office, I got on to my mails and read about TITA NENENG. Awesome Lady. Her passion in serving the Lord has inspired me.
I would like to share a dream I had last night. It was like GOD calling me urgently to serve HIM in a Rehabilitation Center for drug usuers. HE told me to leave everything and do this for HIM.
Ninong, you know what I have gone through. Please pray for me so as to the dream.
May the dear LORD allow me to serve HIM as Tita Neneng.
See you soon.
Wish I could do even half of Tita Neneng’s wonderful service on earth! We will sadly miss her but will fondly remember her in our heart. Now we are assured that somebody is watching us up there whom we can pray to help us get over our trials on earth.
Brother Bo.
It is such a wonderful, a real compliment to Tita Neneng, even I didn’t know her personally but with your stories I get to know her thanks I makes me cry ;-(
Sad to hear the news because people of Anawim will surely miss her. But then there’s really no reason to be sad as, surely, she’s now in God’s embrace.
I happen to meet Tita Neneng just recently - in our outreach at Anawim last Oct 18, 2008. It’s a worthwhile encounter (in fact, I had shared it in my blog) though I haven’t find the chance to know her better. But, from a distance, I saw her beeming smile and warm welcome for everyone. I can say that she’s contented, no-worries, and full of love. The person I want to be someday…
hello bro. bo sana mas maraming maging katulad ni tita neneng at maging isa ako napakadakila ng kangyang puso para sa Diyos at sa kanyang kapwa.more power sa mga ministry at god bless.
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thanks for sharing tita neneng’s generousity. shes a seems like a kindhearted person serving God upon reading this article. im blessed without question she share her blessings.
i met tita neneng more than two years ago when i first visited anawim. i wanted to see it for myself after reading and hearing about it. the first person i met there was tita neneng. what was supposed to be a short visit turned into a conversation that lasted for more than two hours, as she related to me how she started serving the Lord and the miracles that made anawim what it is today.
hers is a story that is extraordinary, a story about a special person who gave up everything and devoted her life to serving the Lord and the least of our brethren.
until early this year, i visited anawim when i could, sometimes joining the friday morning mass, which was followed by breakfast made more delicious by the tita neneng’s warm company.
i felt so at peace, so happy and so blessed, whenever im at anawim. i enjoyed the hours of animated conversation with tita neneng, so much so that even the instant coffee and the simple snacks that she served tasted more delicious than the most expensive kind you can have in upscale coffee shops. you know why? because it was flavored by her love, warmth and generosity. whenever it was time for me to leave, she would insist on giving me pabaon - suman, vegetables, fruits, etc.
i enjoyed so much going to anawim and always looked forward to seeing tita neneng, that i wouldnt mind getting my car (which i treasured so much) getting all muddy and banged up as i negotiated the bumpy dirt road going to anawim.
despite her advanced age, she was still strong and had a very sunny disposition. that was why i was so shocked to find out that she had passed away. to my regret, i kept postponing my visit to anawim, telling myself, “next week na lang.”
although i cannot claim to be close to her, tita neneng gave me comfort, hope, encouragement and inspiration during the times when i needed it most. she touched my life in the most significant and beautiful way possible.
tita neneng, thank you for the friendship. i will always treasure it and the brief but happy moments i spent with you for the rest of my life.
as i join all those whose lives you have touched in mourning your passing away, i rejoice in the fact that you are now in the bosom of the Lord, the God that you have served faithfully and well.
until we meet again…
how touching and inspiring Tita Neneng’s life was. She was like my Ninang who also passed away - generous, sweet, caring and most of all loving to every person she met.
Jun and I are saddened to hear this news. We got a chance to meet Tita Neneng when we visited Anawim last April 25 and June 1 this year. She was very warm and sweet. She indeed left a mark here on earth! And for sure God rewarded her a great place in heaven.
Thanks Bro. Bo for sharing the story of Tita Neneng. Truly a rich and inspiring story for all of us. She is one of a kind and hard to immitate her doings. I learned a lot from her story that you have shared. Indeed, the angels and our Lord in heaven are celebrating for they now have Tita Neneng.
God bless . . .
Brother Bo, my heartfelt condolence to you and everyone at Anawim. You mention Tita Neneng in your talks. It was clear as day that you loved her dearly. She’s such an inspiration and will remain one always.
Bless Tita Neneng ’s Great Soul and May Her Tribe Increase !
It would be great to make her life a movie !
I was touched by the story. My condolences.
it was an amazing story..i almost broke into tears…
i reaLLy did…
i never met nor taste the TINOLA of tita neneng but
i’m sure i will someday…in heaven!
tnx bro. Bo for the inspiring true story..
stay blessed!
This is amazing story, it makes me cry and smile… even she is in heaven this story filled my heart with happiness.Indeed she is the happiest person I’ve ever known.
i’m speechless…
I wish there are many tita neneng in this world…the world needs people like her, caring for the less fortunate, being totally selfless for the others. I wish I could do the same.
This is such an inspiring story and Tita Neneng was one awesome lady. So self-less in her ways. I’m sure she’ll be greatly missed but I’m also sure that she’s in a very peaceful and happy place right now.
I thought the amount i have been giving, donating to various organizations are for me okay, but when i read tita Nenengs story, i feel belittled. Her story opened my heart and mind to add some more.
Thanks for your inspiring story Tita Neneng. I would try my very best to be better giver.
hi…Bro bo…..last three weeks i lost my heaven I (1st puppy) a 2month old puppy i was very sad so i bought again another puppy…but sad to say today i am very depressed coz i lost my very lovable maltese puppy named heavenII (second puppy)…
i am very depressed i really love them…
i wanna ask you does a dog has a soul?
do you think my puppies are in God’s hand?
the only thing thats make me cheer up is thinking that God took them from me coz he wanna take charge of them ang He wanna play with my puppies…
thank you for your time reading this…
Tita Neneng’s story is very moving. I hope I can do great things like her.
Checking in all the way from singapore.
Heard you speak about Tita in a conference here sometime back last year and I was blown away.
Tita will be in my prayers tonight and thank you for sharing her story with us, even so far away from where the action truly is.
God bless!
Hi Bro. Bo,
God Bless Tita Neneng beautiful soul. I’m very fortunate that I have personally met her before she returned our Lord. This year from my visit to Anawim, she is indeed a true “Nanay” in the sense that she is proud that God was able to use her in the Ministry. She took care of us and told us stories about the Lolos and Lolas in her care. She knew them by heart. May the world experience more like Tita Neneng.
I like the place in Anawim, it’s really good for our elderly. Keep up the Ministry, Bro. Bo. Spread God’s Love no matter what age or status. You inspire people with God’s love in you.
In Christ,
Emz
Wow! She’s simply amazing and a wonderful woman. She emptied herself for the sake of love. May there’ll be more people like her who unselfishly share her/his life to the least fortunate brothers and sisters. May our world be filled with great men and women, doing great things out of love.
Am sure she’s now with the company of angels and saints in heaven.
God bless her soul and your ministry.
inspiring. T-T
I was really moved and inspired by Tita Neneng’s story Bro Bo. Thanks for sharing. I almost broke into tears. A truly blessed person. My condolences.
Dear Bro. Bo,
Thanks for sharing with us this wonderful story of Tita Neneng. I couldn’t help myself to break into tears as I’m reading it. She’s one of a kind that we really can look up to. How I wish that my heart will be like hers, full of life, generousity and love while serving the Lord through others. I believe she goes directly to heaven and the angel of God and His saints sings joyful songs upon her arrival as she hand down them her Tinola.
inspiring! may you rest in peace tita neneng. i know you’re happy where you are now.
I was with tita neneng a few weeks ago when LOJ Singles Feast Chapter visited Anawim. I even had a picture taken with her which i posted in my friendster, multiply and facebook account. She is really God’s gift to everyone. I know she’s already in heaven right now, cooking for them.. I thank God for giving me the chance to know her even just for a day. She can’t stand up because of her arthritis but now, i know she must be dancing and singing in heaven. God bless her soul. We will miss u tita Neneng
wish I could be like her…to be blessed and to serve the LORD unconditionally.
My condolence to Bro. Bo and family and all those who knew Tita Neneng personally. Though i did not meet her , Tita Neneng reminds me of Mother Teresa, who so loved the poor, who spent most of her lifetime serving the most unfortunate of the earth. They both found Joy in each of the people they serve, for in each of them they have encountered Jesus ! ” Whatever you do to the least of your brothers, you did it to Me. ” says our Lord. Truly indeed, nothing can satisfy man’s longings on this earth but the love of our God. As St. Augustine says, ” My heart is restless Lord until it rests in You.” May the Joy of Jesus be our treasure!
May God grant Tita Neneng peace in His Kingdom in Heaven.
May God grant us a heart like Tita Neneng. She choose to loose herself to God if only to gain eternal life with God in heaven.
[…] of my favorite speakers, Bo Sanchez, talked about one of his most loved today. It is amazing to be a light to the world for others, to be selfless and to see so much good arise […]
God…is soo good… its another saint story…
waah.. =’) i Love this stOree.. it made me miss my LOLa.. she has been cooking meaLs fOr me when i was yOung.. but nOw that i’m in college, i’m far away from her now.. anyway.. brother bo.. the title was catchy.. i loved the way it is.. when i read the article, just then i’ve realized the thought.. i adore tita neneg!.. i’m also serving a community now, CFC-YFC.. we’d love serving GK village.. it’s juz sOo amazing serving God!..
thnx for keeping me inspired brother Bo!.. keep in tOuch!.. =D i juz LOvw all your articles sO much.. cuz you’re somehow the ‘earphones’ that i’ve been using everytime i can’t hear God’s words well.. =D hehhee.. Godbless us all.. =]
Hi Bro Bo!
This morning as my sister & I listen to Gabay, we heard Bro Eng include in his prayer Tita Neneng. We thought the name sound familiar but disregard it because we might be mistaken. We remember a lovely lady at Anawim that we met during the Outreach of LOJ-Feast chapter last month who doesn’t wann abe called lola, instead all of us visitors should call her Tita Neneng. She was very accomodating with a permanent smile on her face as she told us some stories. And she keep on reminding us too the do’s especially the don’ts while we spend our afternoon with the lolo’s & lola’s. Just by spending some time with them gave us pure bliss and love that’s overflowing everywhere.
And as I read your blog, shock and sadness filled me inside but replaced with better understanding and acceptance as I read along. I’m very much thankful because I’ve met Tita Neneng and spend even a minute with her. As you tell us her story, she inspired me again to give and share my life to others too with no inhibitions nor regrets. I believe she’s enjoying her reward now with the good Lord, she deserves to be in His mighty kingdom. And God will send more people with hearts like Tita Neneng here with us for aid and assistance.
God bless you….
Til next blog again…
Thank you.
what an inspiring story. ” sana madami pa ang katulad o maging katulad nia including myself”.
My condolences!
How brave she is, she’s prepared when her time comes, coz all she know is that God will always be with her..
Thank you for your articles, they’re truly great inspirations. As i read about tita neneng, i could just imagine how her great love and generosity poured in every person she meets.I have never visited anawim,i hope i will someday. i’m presently working abroad but inspite of the regular salary, i am still financially constraint and this morning i had the last dinar in my wallet with a few coins. A collection for a very poor indian lady admitted in the hospital where i’m working was announced by a colleague in our tea room. I was planning to buy something for a snack when i heard that colleague say that this indian lady was telling the nurses who gave her some food that she would not eat them but save it for her children. I felt her heavy heart and instead i gave my last dinar for her. my tummy just like my heart felt great with 1 apple i had in my locker. Later during my duty i was talking to my friend and asking her that if it’s ok if i will pay my 100 dinar debt with my next month’s salary, she answered as if she did not here what i was saying,she said that she still have 1000 dinars and i can use it too to help me pay my bank loan and pay her later when i have enough. Truly God works in His own way… giving us peolpe like tita neneng, my friend , you bro BO and many more whom He use as instruments to show His great love for mankind. I pray that i could also be instrumental to those who need me. God bless
i was touch…she is indeed a good model to everyone.
Hello Bro.Bo,
I was touched by the story of Tita Neneng. It gives me encouragement to do my responsibility as a Christian. I hope I could be like her. May this story inspires others.. because i am inspired too…
May God directs my path.. so that i may be able to help others!
God bless u Bro. Bo…!
Her life story is a very good example for many of us, she’d left everything just to be with the poor and helpless..a very good example of loosing one’s life to be with the people who are suffering and whose lives are miserable..
May she rest in peace.
Dear Bro. Bo,
Anyone who read this story will be truly inspired. I am so touched by your articles and surely this one will be one of my favorites. Thank you for all the inspirations. I hope that just like you and Tita Neneng, I may be able to serve God with all my heart. Someday, I would like to visit Anawim. Godbless and more power! =)
Hi Bro. Bo, I am sorry for the loss of your second mother but i am also happy for her because she’s already reunited with our Creator. I hope her life story will inspire more of us to be like her. May GOD use me to help your many ministries in the near future.
God bless and again, my condolences.
Jean
helo po…
your story moved me so much.. it amaze me that there is still someone so great in the person of tita neneng in this chaotic world. Now that she’s gone, i hope that her legacy will remain and may this story be not an inspiration alone but an eye opener for us living souls that we too can be like tita neneng. God bless us all - Jesus Loves us-
what an inspiring story!!!
made me do my own reflection.. as i’ve always wanted to do the same service, to serve the poor.
it would be the least thing I can do for the Lord , for all the earthly and worldly sin we’re drowned us in.
It would be so great to touch others lives as tita neneng did. This is how God wants us all to be. To humble ourselves, leave all our worldly possessions, take our crosses, and follow Him.
We don’t need any of this material happines that doesn’t last. But we need God’s eternal Joy. The joy of giving our love to others, especially the poor. The kind of Joy that will make God smile, and will make Him so proud of us. Just like as how God is so proud of tita Neneng.
May God bless us all, and may we all find our greatest dreams!!!
i was touched by this. i almost cried.
thanks brother bo. your stories really inspire people.
Godbless
hi., Bro. Bo.
its a nice ispiring story.,
my heart was so touch and i also cried.,
i want to be like Tita neneng.,,
and help other people who is in need specially the poor.,,
thnks., God bless us.,
inspiring.
Inspiring. Real life sories like this one, touches my heart, inspires me to reach my ultimate goal and that is to serve other people especially those in need. Serving them whole heartedly and with humbleness. that’s what I want to acheive. But before that there are alot of exciting challenges we have to conquer, and if we have conquered them all then we can have that passport for a kind of life we wanted for ourselves, families, and for the people around us. It all starts from us (sarili natin). I don’t know Tita Neneng personally but this story tells us how she lived her life to the fullest. I salute you.
Thank you for uplifting my spirit especially at this moment. Nakatulong po ito. Ito pala ang kailangan ko. Salamat po ulit. I am inspired.
Money is important but what is most important is our WILL to help and serve other people.
what an inspiring story!! im so touched.thanks,bro bo…
A truly inspiring, touching & uplifting story. I wish there would be more Tita Neneng’s out there. I also hope I could be just like her — who devoted herself selflessly to the Lord and gave up everything just to serve Him unconditionally. GOD bless and more power to your ministry!
bro Bo
Tita neneng was really 1 of a kind person,a very rare specie that is about to extinct but tnx to you bro. Bo, i know you will be
able save that specie, keep up your endeavors, the Lord has chosen you.Though Tita neneng has gone ahead of us, she left her legacy for us to emulate,now that will be a challenge for all of us….I’ve only known her a week from now but her impact on me was enormous,thank you Lord for the chance of knowing Tita neneng,even for a very short time,at least am lucky to see her.Bye my dear tita,you are with the Lord, i know.God bless us
Dear Bro. Bo,
Me and my officemates (Imee, Edward & Jun B.) were shocked when Gloria Cas (volunteer worker of Anawin) texted me about Tita Neneng.
We were able to talked to her and kissed her goodbye last Saturday, Nov. 8. She did not allow us to leave without eating a lunch with them. She was a jolly person and very dedicated in serving the Lord.
We are thankful to God for giving us a wonderful experience in meeting her. She was a great lost to Anawim. We felt sad when we saw her chair empty.
Thank you Bro. Bo for sharing her stories with us.
“Eternal rest grant unto her soul O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.”
…sana marami pang maging katulad nya!…and i’m sure with that!…..at marami ring maging instrument ni GOD na katulad nya and same with you bro.Bo!!!
bro bo,
Thank u for sharing this great story.It is trully amazing how God touches each hearts. May the lesson we learned in tita neneng’s life may be an inspiration for all of us to serve more with all our strength, hearts and soul for the glory of God…
Godbless us all!
Tita Neneng calls me Mayb of Amen community,
I am also a mission worker for Acts29, Singapore and we all serve in Paaralang Pantao, a school situated in Payatas, Q.C. I met tita neneng around 9 years ago when we had an outreach in Anawim, and from that time on, her scolding us when we call her LOLA began, together with the many sleepovers, meriendas and chatting around, even free concerts too 
Let that be Tita not LOLA hee hee… My friends from AMEN community and our singaporean friends will always remember tita neneng’s loving presence. We always feel at home. She’ll let us ran towards the huts and the houses of our dearest lolo’s and lola’s like we came from a far off country and we’re returning home. We will always cherish tita nenengs stories and inspiring tales about the Anawim.
I thank the LORD so much for allowing me to witness tita nenengs beautiful life.
I am a missioner too, and sometimes as I look at tita neneng I find in my heart a call within to serve like her, to tell you the truth sometimes the call freaks me out…its tough and very challenging to smile and hold on to hope. Today I pray dearly, tita neneng pray for us, pray for our mission with the kids too, may our hearts be filled with openness like yours….
i love you tita. we love you…this saturday we’ll be there in anawim introcucing many singaporean young girls again, we hope to hear your stories fully alive in the place for surely you have touched so much lives!!!!
we’ll miss you but yes, i am just but happy thinking that one day we’ll see us again with your batangas coffee and sweet corn…..
[…] (And just in case you haven’t read about her fantastic life, click here.) […]
Hi Bro. Bo,
I smiled after reading this loving tribute of yours for your Tita Neneng. I just imagine our little Maia lining up to get her second-serving of her delicious tinola.
Our losses are heaven’s gain.
its a very nice and good story of TITA NINING. I like it so much. what a inspiring stoty.
Oh! this story made me cry. I hope I’ll be able to do the same and find peace amidst our chaotic world and be ready to tell the Lord that I am now ready =)
yolynne
i wish i’d known earlier. i met tita neneng when we went to anawin christmases ago.
i feel sad because i promised her i’d come back. and i wasn’t able to. but i met her in bo’s concert one evening and was able to hug her. she’s really inspiring and i’m happy there’s one more soul in heaven taking care of all of us.
nilibre niya ako dati ng ice cream. dapat mga taga anawim lang yung bibilhan niya ng ice cream nun pero sabi niya dun sa mama bigyan na din ako.
ang lupet niya magserve, nakaka inspire.
I know Tita Neneng is happy now with the Lord pero hindi ko pa rin mapigilang hindi maiyak.
I am not sure why I cried. Twice pa lang kami nagkita ni Tita Neneng but I can see her love overflowing in Anawin. Hindi ko makakalimutan yung saya nya nung binalita nya sa amin sometime in June na wala pang namamatay since January of 2008 sa Anawin.
Thanks to Tita Neneng for making a difference. I want to meet her in heaven when my time comes.
Love,
Fina
bro bo,
Nung una kong makita si inay Neneng sa video ng preacher in blue jeans siguro last december yun,nakafeature ang mga matatanda sa Anawim naiiyak ako lalo na ng si inay na ang nagsasalita at sabihin niyang kahit kailan ay pwede na daw siyang mamatay dahil fullfilled na fullfilled na daw siya.Touch ako dun at sa iba pa niyang kasama na mga abandoned lahat sila ay umiiyak.Salamat na lang at may bro bo na sumagip at umako ng responsibilidad na iniwan ng kanilang mga kaanak.
How i wash na maging gaya ko si inay Neneng nagsilbi sa Panginoon ng walang limitasyon hanggang sa huling sandali ng kanyang hininga.Sa edad na 83 si Lord na ang nagparetire sa kanya masaya dahil naging makabuluhan ang kanyang naging buhay dito sa lupa hindi nasayang ang kanyang inilagi sa loob ng 83 taon marami siyang natulungan at napasaya.
Gaya ni inay Neneng sana ang mga tagapaglingkod ng Panginoon saan man,sa loob o sa labas ng simbahan ay mabigyan ng pagkakataon na maibahagi niya ang kanyang kakayahan ng walang ring limitasyon hanggat kaya ng bawat isa na magampanan ang gawain na nakaatang sa kanya malaki,maliit ,marami, kaunti,matanda man siya o bata pa,walang diskriminasyon,pantay pantay walang kinikilingan at hayaan sa kanilang mga sariling inisyatibo.
Sorry i didn’t meet her.
But through this story, i’d loved her.
The community had been so blessed having her as their mother. She had so much love to give.. much more than her money.
Surely God and His angels celebrated as she came to heaven.
Thank God for the people like her.
She is really such an inspiration and one of a kind…. sana marami pa ang katulad niya na handang ibigay ang lahat for the Glory of God…..
I know that the Lord is very pleased to her…. sana lahat tayo maging katulad, serving the Lord with so much love and joy…
wow what an inspiring story bro bo, i would be like her too. And i’m very thankful to our Lord for all the blessings he gave to tita neneng who touch a lot of people’s live’s, i’m sure she’s in the heaven right now together with our Lord and the angels and they’re eating now with the tinola…. what a generous and a loving woman with a full of blessings
This is a very inspiring story. Brother Bo, I want to fully dedicate myself into serving the Lord. Perhaps in the future I can be like your Tita Neneng. I admire her. As of now I am just blooming to be an Entrepreneur. I hope and pray that I can create a lot of jobs for people so I can help more families.
November 24,2008
Hi Bro. Bo,
The life story of Tita Neneng is very inspiring. Im hope some day i volonteer to your place ANAWIN.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
thank you Bro bo for sharing about tita nening life’s. it “is” so inspiring. even though i dnt know hr, i can feel the thoughfulness and how wonderful to hav such a woman. icnt help myself crying for her life stories. and yes, its not important what we receive but what we give.
i know her soul be in heaven. Bless tita neneng with all the thngs she has done. she’s such a unique creation of God.
I wish someday, i could be like her.
This morning I read this article about this certain Tita Neneng. After reading her story and how peacefully she died, I can think of anything else but compare her to our beloved mother St. Theresa of Calcutta.
Her story made made me realize the most important things in life, sharing God’s LOVE to others.
Thank you Tita Neneng.
God bless… Bro. Bo
Im so deeply touch. very inspiring.
Thanks Tita Neneng.
brother Bo,
How can i help amawin? how can i donate? im from davao.
Hello Bo,
Thanks for sharing this story… This is really an inspiration for all of us. God bless
Tita Neneng, you are a saint just like Mother Teresa!
Thank you for your story…my regret ‘though was not able to have a taste of your tinola!
Thanks Bro Bo!
I will always cry to your stories brother bo.everytime I do internet surfing. I dont forget reading your fabulous stories and I always cry
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