Ruffa Gutierrez's daughter Lorin Gutierrez is undoubtedly one of the people dealing with the deepest sorrow from the untimely death of her aunt-in-law, Alexa Gutierrez.
Before turning 21 today, August 3, 2024, Lorin spent the last few days in mourning, culminating in Alexa's inurnment, where she was among those who delivered eulogies.
"One of the things I am proudest of in my life is my family," she begins.
"I could talk about them for hours to anyone who's willing to listen, as they are the foundation for who I am."
This introduction shapes the context of a tribute that was as much about celebrating Alexa's life as it was about mourning her loss.
Read: Elvis Gutierrez delivers moving eulogy for wife Alexa Gutierrez
A MODEL OF LOVE AND PARTNERSHIP
Above all else, Lorin expresses how she has always viewed her uncle, Elvis Gutierrez, and his wife Alexa as the epitome of an ideal relationship.
"Often, I would share to my friends my admiration for Tito Elvis and Tita Alexa's connection," she relates.
"My notions of love were drawn from other relationships I could see in my life, and Tito Elvis and Tita Alexa instilled in me at a very early age what a healthy, real, and resilient love looks like.
"It has always been evident they were more than just lovers, but they were truly best friends."
She adds how they set an example that continues to influence her understanding of love and partnership.
"Seeing how they interacted with one another with so much ease and comfort in their connection, I always vowed to myself I would never settle for any less than that.
"They set a standard of love for me coming from a single-parent household."
EARLY RECOLLECTIONS
Among the earliest memories that Lorin has of Alexa was during a family trip to Boracay when she was just a child: "I was very young, maybe five or six."
Although she was very young, she distinctly remembered Alexa's warm and friendly energy, a quality that remained unchanged over the years.
"Considering she became part of our family when I was so young, Tita Alexa was intertwined with almost every monumental period of my life, and for the most part, I have never known a world without her in it," she shares.
Still wrapped up in memory lane, Lorin filled her eulogy with more anecdotes that captured Alexa's empathetic and thoughtful nature.
She reminisces about Alexa's bridal shower, where she and her sister Venice were made to feel special and included despite being the only children present.
"Throughout the whole thing, Tita Alexa made sure we felt involved and welcomed, even encouraging us to join every activity.
"On that day, and on any day I spent with Tita Alexa, I created some of the happiest memories," she says.
Read: Lorin Gutierrez flexes self-acquired Mercedes-Benz at 20: "I bought it in cash."
FULL CIRCLE MOMENTS
Talking about core memories led Lorin to a more recent encounter that she considers to be a full circle moment.
"It took place during a trip Tita Alexa and Tito Elvis recently took to L.A.," she recounts.
The visit was particularly meaningful for Lorin, as it brought back a flood of memories.
"We share so many memories in California that start from my early childhood, so it was extremely fulfilling to have Tita Alexa and Tito Elvis visit me at my college dorm.
"It felt like a full circle moment—from shopping at my favorite store in the U.S., Justice, to now having them see me in my biggest academic achievement," she reflects.
Alexa and Elvis, along with their children Aria and Ezra, made the trip extra special.
"They are two of the most important people in my life, and I was so proud. Well, four, as Aria and Ezra were there as well," she notes.
Lorin then humorously relates a particular moment when one of the girls needed to use the bathroom.
"Tita Alexa whipped out multiple sanitation products from her purse to clean the toilet herself before the kids used it.
"At first, I thought, ‘Wow, I didn't think my toilet was that dirty,’ but then I realized she is such a hands-on, thoughtful, and caring mother," she tells the crowd, smiling.
Read: Andrea Brillantes, Lorin Bektas twinning in cowgirl looks for Coachella 2024
Lorin's PROMISE to Alexa
In ending her eulogy, Lorin pledges an oath for her aunt: "Tita Alexa, I promise I will continue to make you proud and study hard.
"Everything I do is for you now.
"I have never experienced a big loss in my life before this, and losing someone I loved has always been my biggest fear," she expresses.
"It is safe to say that it is so much worse than I could have ever expected, and is by far the most painful thing I have ever been through."
While acknowledging the heart-wrenching pain of losing Alexa, Lorin chooses to view her grief as a testament to the deep love she feels for her aunt.
"I try to remind myself that grief is just love with no place to go, and how lucky we all are to have had someone like her in our lives who makes saying goodbye so difficult."
She concludes: "I am okay with carrying the pain of losing you for the rest of my life, because instead of looking at it as hurt, I will instead use it as a constant reminder of how much I love you, Tita Alexa. Thank you."
READ MORE:
- Lorin Bektas rides on viral TikTok audio of grandmom Annabelle Rama's hilarious take on Ruffa Gutierrez
- Lorin Gutierrez is ultimate bikini goddess in these 10 photos
- Lorin Gutierrez's immediate goal: "I want to be employed." How about joining beauty pageants?
- Lorin Gutierrez gives Instagram followers major bikini inspo in Malibu