TESSIE Tomas, privately known as Teresita Hermosa Pullin, has been hit by another tragedy in her family.
After the passing of her mom Laura Hermosa last March, her younger brother Edgar Hermosa recently died.
“He died last week of cardiac arrest after a stroke in Samar,” said Tessie in her private message to me from London.
The Hermosas are from Catbalogan City, the capital city of Samar Province. Most of Tessie’s kin, one of them Edgar, are based in the provincial central district. Once in a while, Leo Hermosa, a singer and another brother of Tomas, goes to Catbalogan and then immediately back to Manila.
Edgar’s death is a blow in Tessie’s life who loved her siblings dearly. Tomas clarified, though, that her bro’s passing wasn’t pandemic-related.
“Hindi siya Covid victim, ha (He’s not a Covid victim, mind you),” said the comedienne.
Here are Tessie’s emotional parting words to her brother: “Goodbye, Edgar! I don’t even remember the last time I saw you face-to-face—maybe in 2017 when I went to Catbalogan for the inauguration of the KFI Library?
“Sigurado, kumain tayo sa Tony’s Kitchen ng ating paboritong crab omelette at pata tim. At naghanda naman ang anak mong si Liezl ng masarap na lunch ng aking paboritong (The last time, I remember, we ate our favorite crab omelette and pata tim at Tony’s Kitchen. And your daughter Liezl prepared the yummy lunch of my favorite ‘masag’ (big crabs), ‘pasayan’ (prawns) and ‘kinilaw’′ (raw fish in vinegar) and ginger.
“Para yatang napakahirap tanggapin ang bigla mong pagkawala, my dear brother. Dahil napakalayo ko at narito ako sa Isle of Man. Naisip ko, ganito siguro kahapdi ang pakiramdam ng mga OFWs na namamatayan ng kapamilya pero hindi makauwi (It’s very difficult to accept your sudden loss, my dear brother. I am far away here in Isle of Man. I share the pain of OFWs who are bereaved and can’t go home to mourn for their loved ones).
“Patuloy kong pupunasan ang aking mga luha at magdarasal na sana ay mapayapa ka na. At maligaya sa piling ng iyong mahal na kabiyak na si Ma-anne (I will continue to wipe my tears and pray that you will be at peace. I know you are now happy with your beloved Ma-anne).
“At kapag nagkita kaming muli, yayakapin ko na lamang ng mahigpit ang naulila mong mga anak na sila Cheska, Liezl, Danielle at Owen (And when I see your children Cheska, Liezl, Danielle and Owen, I will hug them for you.
“Rest now, my dearest brother. May God hold you close in the mighty palm of His Hand.
“I love you very much. And I will truly miss you.
“Ate Tessie”
Meanwhile, Tomas is in the United Kingdom with husband Roger Pullin, who is assigned in the Isle Man as a member of the diplomatic corps.