My heart is broken.
It is because my elder sister, Lily Villasanta Arriero, the only sibling I’ve got to spend a lot of my years with, is gone.
I already cried a lot even before she breathed her last, especially when she was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm and other serious illnesses.
I wanted her to live longer to surpass her eighty-two years on earth to still enjoy the beauty of life with friends and family members, especially with her children and grandchildren who are all abroad but they communicated regularly online.
Lily had stayed in the US for ten long years and in Australia intermittently for four years.
She was my critic and aegis at the same time especially during my volatile years as an entertainment journalist both print, and broadcast although she would allow me to be independent and a risk taker but uncertain of my future since most of us are siguristas (one who is sure of desired results) in life.
Ate (a term of endearment to an older woman or sister by blood or by affinity) Lily was a friend of many showbiz people, celebs I run around with like Fil-Briton filmmaker Jowee Morel, entertainment editor Art Tapalla, movie journalists Lhar Santiago, Roland Lerum and Obette Serrano (since we started together in the biz), iconic fashion czar Albert Figueras, pianist and young fashion designer Erick Valena, newscaster Angelique Lazo who was her kumare when the former played a major sponsor to her son Mac and daughter-in-law Garette’s wedding, etc.
Ate Lily, a very religious woman was a devotee not only of Saint Anthony she inherited from my mom’s piety but Santa Veronica as well she left behind with a giant image donated by her and perched at the church patio.
My sister is a big loss to our family but I know the Lord has other plans for her.
Ate Lily is survived by her children Malou and son-in-law Ped, Mac and Garette, Maricor, and son-in-law Rodel, and grandchildren Christian, Marianne, and Matt Dean.
Lily V. Arriero, was a retired teacher, a resident of Lopez, Quezon in the CALABARZON region, and an altruistic lady.
Bless her soul.
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