Showbiz personality Rita Avila offers advice to other women like her who are mourning the loss of a beloved child.
In an interview in ABS-CBN's Magandang Umaga, Pilipinas that aired earlier today, December 14, Rita reveals her coping strategies for mourning the loss of her firstborn son, Elia Jesu. Her three-week old baby with TV director Erick Reyes (Maging Sino Ka Man) passed away last December 2 after undergoing a heart operation at Medical City in Ortigas, Pasig City.
"Nung first week na nawala ang aming anak, talagang magkasama kaming mag-asawa. We find strength from each other," Rita tells host Christine Bersola-Babao. "At the end of the day, umiiyak kami, pero ‘yong pag-iyak ay kasama ‘yon ng pagpapagaan ng loob at pagtanggap e."
She continues: "Now, na-iinspire ako to talk to other people kasi parang siguro ‘yon din ‘yong gusto ng anak ko [si Elia Jesu], na mai-share namin ‘yong [nangyari] sa kanya, kasi nakakabusog ng puso ‘yong malaman mong may na-touch ka."
Morning show host Tintin Bersola-Babao is quick to remind everyone that there are a lot of women out there also mourning the loss of a loved one, especially after typhoons Reming and Seniang.
Rita responds by narrating an anecdote: "Meron ngang isang ina ang nagsabi sa 'kin, ‘Alam mo, buti ka nakakaharap ka sa tao, nakakapagsalita ka, pero ako nagkukulong ako.' Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Each pain is unique. Irespeto mo lang ‘yong nararamdaman mo. Kung ‘yan ang tamang pamamaraan na pagdaanan mo, ‘yong lungkot mo, sige go.'"
When asked how they will spend Christmas this year, Rita says, "We'll find comfort with our family. Wala ngang ka-decor-décor ‘yong bahay namin e, kasi sa nagdaang mga linggo siyempre naka-focus kami do'n sa baby, hanggang sa nawala nga siya. But, of course, ise-celebrate pa rin namin dahil [birthday ni] Jesus Christ."