The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Actresses Caridad Sanchez and Delia Razon were LVN Pictures’ stars of yesteryears.
Caridad is younger than Delia, Lucy May Gryzt Reyes in real, who passed on recently at 94.
Sanchez is still around but most of the time, stays at home reportedly nursing some Alzheimer’s.
Her daughter Cathy Sanchez-Babao, a journalist, on her own and on mom’s behalf paid her last respects to Tita (a term of endearment to an aunt by blood or an older woman by affinity) Delia at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Araneta Avenue.
Cathy recalled many memories of her mother and Delia’s shared experiences with each other.
In her Facebook wall, Sanchez-Babao recounted the many occasions the two actresses have joined in, especially parties at LVN compound.
Tita Caring was too close to Tita Delia. “In their 60s and 70s, mom and her loved to chat for hours on end over the phone. Because Tita Del was more social than mom, she would often update her about their LVN sisters. In turn, mom would pass on the updates to me, and it would always begin with ‘Sabi ni Delia…’
“In her 80s Tita Del loved to make accessories. One time, I complimented her on the necklace she was wearing. ‘Thank you, sweetheart! I’ll make you one…’ she said. Sometimes with the titas you think it’s just lip service but Tita Del remained true to her word. A few months later she sent me a lovely light turquoise colored necklace through my mom.
Ms. Razon was indeed a lively person, said Cathy. “Tita Delia always lit up a room with her smile and her laughter. She was so elegant, beautiful, and so mabango. She was a constant at all the annual LVN get togethers held at the old de Leon home in New Manila. She loved calling the LVN daughters ‘sweetheart’ or ‘darling.’ She loved telling stories and was genuinely inquisitive as well. When she listened to you, she was all ears.
“She was a very loving and devoted mom to Mia and Rea…,” the journalist quipped.
During the wake, Delia’s daughters Mia and Rea prepared “…a beautiful and elegant set up for their Mamang.”
On top of her urn, described Cathy, hung a strand of pearls because in life, she almost always wore pearls.
Ice candles and Kisses chocolates were also displayed in the wake that reminded everyone about life during the Pacific War which was hard. “…Oranges were so hard to come by…but because they were so scarce, she had to share one piece with her mom and her sister. Later on, these orange slice candies became her favorite for life. She loved chocolate Kisses, cherry Coke, and Shakey’s Friday Special pizza,” Cathy gushed.
Inside the chapel, there was piped in music of jazz and other tunes of the 50s and 60s for Delia loved music and she loved to dance, confided by her daughter Rea.
Over dinner at the funeral wake, Sanchez-Babao was all ears to Mia who talked about the story of Mamang’s (Delia) green bones encased in a tiny glass locket which the daughter hung on her neck.
All seven girls (two daughters, two granddaughters and three great granddaughters) in the family now carry a piece of Mamang forever, according to Sanchez-Babao.
Tita Caring’s daughter said that green bones are found in those who lived with kindness, who carried no malice in their hearts. It’s no surprise, she added that the family found so many among Tita Del’s cremains. She led a life of generosity, of quiet strength, and of love given freely—it leaves a mark, even in her bones. (Boy Villasanta)