ni Julie Bonifacio @Winner | Jan. 29, 2025
Photo: Dina Bonnevie - IG
Pinasaya si Dina Bonnevie ng mga anak na babae ng kanyang yumaong asawa na Undersecretary of Agriculture na si DV Savellano nu’ng kaarawan ng aktres last January 27 nang bigyan siya ng dinner treat.
Nakakadurog-puso ang pagbati kay Dina ng kanyang mga stepdaughters at pati na ang mensahe ng aktres sa kanyang kaarawan.
This is the first time na nag-birthday si Ms. D na wala ang kanyang loving husband.
Sabi ni Dina sa video na nag-viral sa Facebook (FB), “Wala ka man dito. I know you're with me. Give me a big hug (with teary eyed emoji).”
At the same time, isang mahabang mensahe ang ipinost ni Ms. D sa Instagram (IG).
Caption ni Ms. D, “Yesterday I turned 63. A follower of Christ, a loving wife to my husband, a step mother to five kids, a mother of 2, a grandmother to 9, and now a WIDOW.
“I pondered upon the recent events in my life… starting the year with the death of my husband which was not only the most painful experience in my life, but the most traumatic!
“Watching my husband struggle for dear life and helplessly die in front of me, is one thing I wish no one would ever experience.
“I wondered why him and not me. My husband was a good person who lived a Christ centered life, was generous, was a true and devoted public servant and a visionary who created projects to alleviate the lives of the poor, the aged, the farmers, the fishermen and the artisans.
“He was proud to be an Ilocano and did almost everything in his power to promote his town, his district, and finally his country.
“He had so much more to do and contribute to his country and province. The immensity of people who came to his wake and condoled with me, and shared their stories of DV with me, made me realize how many lives he has touched and how much he has achieved in his lifetime. It was far beyond the number of people I have probably touched in my life!
“I would like to thank all the people who gave their last respects to my dear husband and condoled with us.
“So why did I have to be left behind? What did God want me to do, and where did He want me to be? Couldn’t I still fulfill my purpose with my husband? What did I still have to do without a spouse?
“I looked up to God in prayer, at the same time demanding a fair explanation. I was hurt, felt betrayed, angry, and lost in my misery. I thought this day, my birthday is what I dreaded… my first birthday without my husband and nothing to celebrate.
“Then as if God spoke to me and showed me a quick video of what just happened the day before my bday and the night before and then the whole day of my bday. Then everything dawned on me!!
“I was sad that I was going to celebrate the eve of my bday alone unlike the usual “salubong”, but God provided a lunch get together with my husband’s Mom and sisters and we had hefty servings of home cooked Filipino food whipped up by my sisters-in-law.
“The eve of my bday, my step children invited me to a steak and lamb dinner like we usually do, when DV was alive. We bonded and shared stories and I didn’t feel alone at all, except, when I had to blow the bday candle.
“The morning of my bday, I was crying, hoping to see the usual tulips my husband would wake me up to; but God provided me with a wonderful bouquet of orchids from Helen Gamboa, an ex-sister-in-law I haven’t seen or spoken to in a long time.
“I was missing my husband looking over my shoulder when I usually cooked lunch for my bday and thought this was going to be a first without him; but God provided joy when I spent lunch with my son’s family and my sister’s family and we ate delicious fresh seafood.
“We drove to my son’s house to just spend the day with his family and I thought, DV won’t be singing for me today; but God made me listen to exceptional piano renditions by my grandsons. They were so good that it brought tears to my eyes. I am so blessed and proud of them!
“I spent the afternoon and evening talking to them, playing with my youngest grandson, hugging him and kissing him and I felt comfort with him in my arms……
“I felt tired and weary crying from the 7th of January till today. I thought it had been a long time since I had a good massage with my hubby. I cried again triggered by painful memories.
“Then suddenly my sister who owned a spa sent her masseuse to relax me!
“I didn’t even verbalize my thoughts, but God provided once again for me. I wondered, was God listening to me like a direct line on the phone talking to me?
“My nephew brought more flowers when he visited me at my son’s house and comforted me in between my bouts of weeping.
“Then finally my grandchildren gave me letters just when I was about to retire. Reading those comforting and assuring letters of love brought not only tears to my eyes, but a realization of how ungrateful I was to question God and focus on my loss and not notice the many little miracles and provisions He provided along the way.
“It is indeed true that ‘the truth usually comes from the mouth of babes!’
“Now I stand grateful and sorry for asking God to explain matters to me.
“I am reminded of my faith in Him that should remain unwavering, despite life’s challenges.
“I am grateful for having thoughtful sisters-in-law, loving sisters, understanding step children, caring children and loving grandchildren.
“God takes care of widows, he never leaves those who abide in Him. I thank Him for all his blessings and wait on His directions, I let go and let God! (praying and heart emoji).”
We remember nu’ng pumunta kami sa wake ng husband ni Ms. D ay nagbuhos din siya ng kanyang damdamin on how devastated she was sa pagkamatay ni Usec. DV, at kung gaano siya nagulat sa pag-apaw ng mga taong nagpunta para makiramay at mga bulaklak na dumating sa wake.
Inamin din niya sa amin na hindi raw niya alam kung paano haharapin ang mga araw without her husband.
And in fairness, damang-dama namin ang pag-appreciate ni Ms. D sa mga nagpunta sa wake ni Usec. DV. Talagang isa-isa niyang inestima, celebrity man o ordinary people. Wala siyang pinipili at kahit paulit-ulit na siyang nagkukuwento, never naming na-feel na nabagot siya or sumimangot.
For that alone, damang-dama namin ang sinseridad ni Ms. D sa mga nakiramay sa kanyang mister.
Happy birthday, Ms. D!
