AUTOBIOGRAPHY
LUZ MADARANG MAYO ANCHETA, was the eldest of the 13 children of Emilio and Generosa Mayo. She was
born during the WWII era in the coastal village of Sta Cruz, Zambales, "Tampos Mayanan" better known as "Little
Tondo". She's a brilliant, energetic, loving, and humorous but a frail child.
Being the eldest child,
she enjoyed the privileges of having a luxurious way of life due to abundant resources of her grandparents.
LUZ had participated in almost every scholastic events with good standing. During her teens, she was sent
to a prestigious school, the South Central Elementary School in Sta Cruz Zambales then later proceeded to Sta
Cruz Academy for her secondary education. Her parents and grandparents were always been very proud
of her.
Upon graduation from
High School, she attended College of Medicine at the Manila Central University, (MCU) and later shifted a course of study where
she acquired a degree in Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education BSEE. In 1965, at the college campus,
she met her husband DIONISIO MUNDO ANCHETA (Diony) who was a senior student in Accountancy. They eloped and
lived in secrecy, then later returned to Bayambang to get married in Civil Court under the jurisdiction of the late Mayor Rosauro
Mores "ORONG" tabyog barukong.
A year later, LUZ
developped a kidney disease during her pregnancy that thought to be a work of a Witch Craft but later cured by
a tree bark "BANABA" prescribed by the most famous Village Quack Doctor named "Apong Akin Custodio" in the Sitio of
Bia-a. During those times, Emilio & Family were living in a little hut in the middle of a fish pond where Diony
and Luz' first child NOEL was born.
After first
born child NOEL, Diony resigned from his accountancy job with Philippine Recapping Plant in Manila. He returned
back in Bayambang to join his immediate family who are tending farms. Money was scarce so LUZ aspired to
joining the teaching force of Infanta and was sent to the most remote Barrio of PITA as her first assignment.
She left her infant under the care of her dear mother Generosa and other grown up sisters. Noel grew up in the fish
pond area with the MAYOs.
Few
months of horse back riding in a rugged mountainuous terrain of Babuyan and Pita, LUZ was tansferred to
BAMBAN-Sur better know as "Talogtog" through the recommendation of the late EDOY PULIDO, the Principal Educator of Infanta
under the influence of Mayor Mores. Luz was later transferred to South Central Elemetary School as a substitute
teacher, then ultimately to Barrio Bayambang with the late Mr. Faustino SinoCruz, known as Mr. Barasot.
For
nearly 30 years tenure of continuous teaching in popular Elementary Education, LUZ finally retired from the Government
Service leaving a legacy as a "Role Model" in Barrio Bayambang. Her accomplishments will always be remembered
by all generations to come that can only be surpassed by few. Thank you CA LUZ for your contribution to our community
and humanity. Congratulations and Job Well Done!!!!
In
the late 90s, LUZ and Family was ordered by the U.S. Immigration to join EMILIO her, father, to reside with him
in Guam permanently. Dionisio, her husband with two minor children Allan, & Dilma were taken
along. Few years later, her kidney illness from her early age once again emerged, more acute than the first one.
She fought hard with diet and exercise but her health gradually degraded that progressed into a dialysis procedure
for over a period of 3 years.
As a family wish, Luz
has to undergo kidney transplant process to beat the losing battle for her life but it was hindered by numerous factors to
include but not limited to lack of funds, no available donors, and the uncertainty that her body may not adapt to a new organ.
The whole family conferred to set a plan to spearheaded by LUZ' sons & daughter with acknowledging support from brothers, sisters,
and other relatives.
The process was pushed
back and procastinated until she returned to the Philippines for a period of over 10 days for Thanksgiving party with
her husband and children. She returned to GUAM to undergo dialysis due to remnants of accumulated oxidants in her body.
On the fourth day, she suffered a "Cardiac Arrest" sending her condition to drastic respiratory degredation. Medical
Staffs' prognosis were poor and her heart weakened to the point that her blood pressure failed below normal parameters for
respiration.
Her
utmost request is to send her body back to the Philippines where she can spend her last moments with her children but
numerous delays were incurred due to her diminishing condition. Assistance from the International RED CROSS
was sought to solicit volunteers for her transport but these efforts have failed. The agonizing ordeal went
on for over one week period until her body had completely given up. She was sent back to her native land, the
philippines just as she wished.
Her body
was shipped back to her native town Infanta and viewed at their residence by his family, relatives, friends, co-workers,
and visitors. The mourning process lasted for over 10 days
despite of inclement weather changes. LUZ is survived by her Husband Dionisio Mundo Ancheta, their six children
and numerous grandchildren.
She left a legacy in
providing all their children with high education. As a Retired Educator with good reputation and tremendous unparalleled
accomplishments, people from various places all over the Philippines came to pay their last tribute to the dear fallen
educator, CA LUZ.
Memorial Ceremony
was given to her at the South Central Elementary School in Infanta, Pangasinan as a Special Honor.
Crowd of nearly 8,000 attendees flocked in the church, streets, school, and cemetery. A procession that
outstreched nearly 2 miles occupying both lanes of the National Road from Barrio Cato up to her resting place.
CA LUZ was
laid to rest in the Catholic Memorial Cemetery in Infanta, Pangasinan presided by Fr. ONOFRE MAYO JR. God Bless her soul and May she rest in peace. She will always be missed......
