Have you envision a 100 year journey spanning a century of historical highlights? Today, you can talk to one such special lady whose wits can match anyone half her age! In line with Chinese tradition, Soledad EndabDy-Yap counts her 100th birthday today. By her own account, her ancestors come from Mainland China, four Dy brothers landing in Cebu about the 1890’s. First Brother- DyChing, otherwise known as “CAPITAN YAN E CHING”, Second Brother-DyChingTiam or “Ramon Palanca”Third Brother- DyChing Yuk, and Fourth Brother- DyChingPua.
A typical Chinese immigrant story, they assimilated well with the locals, establishing small businesses, eventually settling in several areas in Cebu. Her parents, Dy Chua and Concepion Sun Endab, first settled in Alegria, Cebu where Mama Soling was born. Later, the family crossed to the Negros Island, in the area of Bindoy (formerly Payabon) and Ayungon, Negros Oriental. Mama Soling with husband, Yap TianSu, raised her own clan, making a livelihood from a sari-sari store, to a thriving copra trading business. Her own secret for a long life: hard work, money smarts, strong faith in God, simple living, commitment to family.
By sheer determination and perseverance, she survived the Second World War, and the economic roller coaster that came with changes in the political scene, including the Martial Law Years. Unassuming, her wisdom is beyond compare, when it comes to knowing and fulfilling her purpose in life. Looking back, she tearfully recalls the sacrifices she made, and extreme difficulties she hurdled, her main focus was her eight (8) children. At present, her children are her greatest achievement. Her efforts are paying off, with each of her children following her example and values. Her eldest, Rosa(Linda) is a pharmacist, who has her own business in Bindoy, a former mayor and active church member. Aurora, an accountant from Houston, Texas, now retired as analyst of an oil company. Francisco, a practicing lawyer, bar topnotcher, law professor, Dedenia, a psychiatrist in Buffalo, New York, Verna, a physician in Buffalo, New York, Valente, an accountant- the incumbent Mayor, Ramon, an agriculturist-businessman, and the youngest, Nenita- business-entrepreneur. The mark of having devoted mother is the binding force that is keeping the family on the course and fiercely loyal. Each of her children have their own stories to tell, but where would they be, without Mama Soling?
Like any mother, she now extends her concerns to her growing brood of grandchildren and great grandchildren. In response, most of them have made the journey back to where the journey started. Her story is not unique, but exceptionally inspiring. Who would have thought that a simple sari-sari storekeeper in Bindoy, is a Harvard grandma? Who would have foreseen that a low profile-nonpolitical woman would have a daughter and son occupying the Mayor’s Office? Who would have believed that a folk healing believer would have two physician daughters, who also married physicians who made it in the land of milk and honey? Who expected that two accountants would have been raised by one who just made her own style of book keeping? Who could have predicted that her youngest son and daughter would stay in their hometown taking care of their own entrepreneurial ventures?
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, MAMA SOLING!
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Author’s email: whelmayap@yahoo.com
