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I’m Connie Agbayani De Jesus Kriaski, better known to TIta Olga’s as Chona. I am a the oldest daughter to Ludivina Agbayani De Jesus, Tita Olga’s younger sister.
My first meeting with Tita Olga was when I was 9 years old, and instantly she became my idol because of her personality and charisma to fit in anywhere and engage anyone with her wit and charm. I was her girl friday everytime she comes home for a holiday in Manila running errands, making phone calls, and always tagging along and carrying her bag wherever she goes. As a result we all had a unique relationship and made me look up to her because of her success and even up to now, I have a remembrance of how special I considered Tita Olga and our relationship.
Growing up I used to brag to all of my friends about Tita Olga who is a psychiatrist by profession. When I got older I realized how fortunate I was to have her as part of my life. She’s always there to listen especially in your times of need and will be there to help in any way she can. She acted as a mother-figure to me when I started my life here in Canada always calling and asking how everyone is doing.
However no matter what hat she wore at the time I always knew that she was looking out for me. As a parental figure she gave me advice on how to deal with my finances as it was very hard for me to be a single mother for over 17 years and to raise my 3 children on my own especially in North America. But in the end, my Tita Olga was very happy to see me accomplished all my goals with flying colors. She praised me for all the hard work I’ve done because despite of what happened in my life, I managed to survive. I will never forget all the stories and memories I’ve had with my Tita Olga. She’s not just a part of my life, she’s a part of our home, and one thing for sure, in the winter time, I will remember how she loves to sit by the fireplace.
I recall the days when I got her in New York in September 2012. She called me in my office 5 days in a row, and on the 6th day, I was on my flight to NY. She was very helpless when I got there and was very confused. She was so happy to see me come to her rescue. I can’t bear to see my Tita Olga living alone in her big house. I was afraid that she might have a fall from her staircase with nobody there to look after her. So I told her to come and stay with me in Calgary and she was happy to hear that.
Tita Olga loves food, I remember her asking when where’s the lechon? Where’s the best sushi place to go? When are we going to have lobster? She always crave for her ampalaya. On the weekends, I would go to Filipino stores and get her some kakanin. Living by herself in Long Island, I realized how much she was deprived of good food, especially Filipino food. So when she was at my house, I make sure I give her whatever she requests to eat for the day but with limitations because of her diabetes.
Tita Olga was the Icon of the clan; she graduated with the highest honor in her class of 1956 from the UP College of Medicine. She lived all her life in New York. She was an inspiration to the family which is proven by the fact that some of cousins, nephew and nieces ended up in the medical field, mostly nurses. She is very loving to my lolo and lola and she built them a house to make their home in Manila. When my sister and I and my brother in law went to clean her house in March 2013, I can’t count the number of plaques of recognition and certificates of accomplishments that I took down from the walls in her house. One thing for sure, Tita Olga did not stop learning, she strive always for the best when it comes to her profession. Her books on different strong women, like Sarah Palin, Princess Diana, etc,only proves that she, herself is one of them.
I salute my Tita Olga for all the years that she was with us; for all the learnings she has instill in our minds; for all the memories she has curved in our hearts; and for all the good deeds that she has done to everyone in the AGBAYANI clan. Forever you will be in our hearts and we will always look forward to the day when we meet again.

Goodbye Tita Olga, you will never be forgotten and I will always love you.

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