Abundia Darunday, one of the longest living matriarchs in Tagbilaran succumbed to old age at her residence in Cedar Farms, Dao District, this city last Sunday, at the age of 101.
Born on August 14, 1906 in Sta. Fe, Alburquerque town, Abundia is the second child of a family of eight by Teodorico Dumagan and Patricia Bitoy.
Abun as she is fondly called by her friends was married to Cirilo Karaan Darunday in 1931, after which she gave birth to eight children - two boys and six girls. The two boys, became priests, Valentino an SVD father stationed at Christ the King, Manila and Msgr. Cirilo, a vicar general and resident priest of Dao, Tagbilaran.
Romana finished Optometry at Centro Escolar University, became a three-termer city councilor and is very active, together with her twin sister, Salome, in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement.
Salome finished her Library Science degree at University of the Philippines, inherited her father's job as Provincial Librarian and is now retired.
Awarded as an "Outstanding Provincial Librarian" by the National Library, it was no surprise that the province during her stint would also receive the highest title as "Outstanding Provincial Library" of the Philippines.
Zenaida, the fourth child finished her bachelors in agriculture at UP-Los Banos and Masters in Plant Pathology at University of Wisconsin, U.S.A. An environmentalist and organic farming advocate and activist, Zen or Jean received from her alma mater the "distinguished UP alumna award in Community Leadership" and from her fellow-Boholanos the "Ten Outstanding Boholanos Around the World (TOBAW)" award for her work in agriculture.
Teotista who passed away in 1999 completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Santo Tomas. While in Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia, Teoty devoted most of her life in the Charismatic Renewal movement and led prayer meetings and church gatherings while working with the multi-racial migrant community in Brisbane.
Both Prudencia and Macedonia completed their Bachelor's degree in commerce at University of the East. Prud who took over Teotie's job in setting up prayer meetings with their friends now lives in Brisbane while Macy as a businesswoman manages a tailoring shop in the city.
In spite of her busy schedule as wife and mother, Abundia was very much involved in the church's activities and held positions in Tagbilaran Cathedral's religious lay organizations such as Legion of Mary and Apostolado de la Oracion while her husband was for several years the president of the Pastoral Council, Adoracion Nocturna and Apostolado de la Oracion as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus.
It was indeed a joy for both parents, Abundia and Cirilo that the Darunday family was chosen in a national competition as one of the ten finalists in the "search for the Catholic family of the Philippines" in 1966 sponsored by the Christian Family Movement.
Widowed when her husband passed away in 1984, Abundia, still strong in spirit, although advanced in years, was even more doting and protective of her 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
One granddaughter, Lady Aquino, would reminisce how "Lola taught them the value of generosity, prayer and love for one another. Though imbued with a fighting spirit, Lola would always remain humble and unassuming," she added.
Mrs. Darunday lies in state at the Darunday compound at Cedar Farms, Dao District. She will be buried at Dampas Cemetery on May 5, 2008 after a requiem mass at Dao Sta. Cruz Parish, Dao District, 2:30 p.m. with her two priest-sons, Fr. Val and Msgr. Siloy as the main celebrants.
source: The Bohol Chronicle
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