Mama was the only beloved daughter of first wife of Felipe Cahuan (Tatay Iping).
She is not just a pretty face but a nice bundle of beauty and brains, an attribute she managed to pass on to her children and grandchildren.
Her mother died on childbirth so she was raised by her paternal grandmother who pampered her with all the love she was capable of giving.
Almost all her whims and caprices were indulged. But, in spite of her sheltered life, she was not a spoiled child.
Their family belonged to the landed gentry and at that time, her father was the "El Presidente" of Tankulan.
A position that demanded respect and brought prestige to their already well-known family.
He was tasked to settle any form of dispute, intercede to those who wants to get married and represented his sleepy town to the provincial and national government.
All inn all, people considered him as a pundit, a stature which allowed him to take a second wife, Elena Sambalon (Nanay Biyang), the grandmother we knew when we were small but never learned to love.
Perhaps, because we don't know her enough or for reasons we don't know or simply understand.
Since Mama was the small town beauty queen, the Miss Tankulan of yesteryears, she attracted a horde of persistent suitors.
Amongst them was Papa.
Unfortunately, at the tender age of 16 (not a marriageable age by today's standards) Tatay Iping married her off for money, so much against her wishes, to a Boholano cloth merchant who is much older than her. Tatay Iping may have hoped that she will be well provided for in the future.
This union, short lived as it was, brought forth three children (two are stil alive up to this writing).
But once again, Fate intervened.
Her husband, Beltran, was struck by a lightning bolt, killing him instantly, while riding a carabao (water buffalo).
Mama is now a widow at the age of 20.
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