Farewell, Miss Dequis

Today, it is a rainy, very wet, very green Bangkok afternoon.  I have just put in some dried red beans to boil, to make Boston Baked Beans for tonight’s supper, and the rest goes into deep freeze.  I open my Facebook account.  I feel saddened.  News from Zeno Pimentel, Marlo’s brother, that their beloved aunt, Espencia Dequis-Teodoro, has passed away today.  Condolence messages flow in for Marlo’s Auntie Pacing, the remaining  Dequis siblings “Last of the Mohicans” (according to a relative).  Like a number of our teachers and friend at City High, she was a graduate as well as retired teacher at City High, and at "Women's" -  Philippine Women’s University, in Education.

I best remember her as our Phys Ed teacher for girls (Mr. Pimentel handled the boys), and instructress for some of the dance programs we presented during school events at the City Auditorium.  She also taught Philippine Community Life and History.  A couple of times, I had fleeting moments with her during reunions in Baguio.   

If love for our teachers is manifested by our memories, mine lingers on,to the tune of Les Sylphides, a dance number where she had us clad in black turtleneck sweaters and black pants. “Chin up!! Curve your arms!!  Isurok man kanyayo no ania iti arabesque!!”   

Rest in Peace, our Miss Dequis. 23rd August 2014 

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt5oTVXXuWI).