Natividad Revilla-Reyes

My Lola Naty was born Natividad Reyes Revilla, and married my Lolo Josing (Dr. Jose) Reyes Reyes, and thus her married name was Natividad Revilla Reyes. Their children (Roberto, Teresita, and Jose Jr) had three different Reyes families in their lineage. The Reyeses of my lolo are from Malolos Bulacan, while the Reyes of my lola are from Manila --- her grandfather on her mom's side was Severino Reyes, more popularly known by his pen name: Lola Basyang.

Apart from her children who lived past the war, Lola Naty had three other children who passed away early: Maria Teresa, a daughter who died at age 3 during the Japanese occupation, and twin sons who died in the womb during the bombing of Manila. My mother, born Teresita Revilla Reyes, married my father, Rafael Gana Hocson and is today Teresing Reyes Hocson.

My Lola Naty was widowed early, before my mother was married, and her final years were spent mostly in our family home in Baclaran, by Roxas Boulevard right across the beautiful sunsets at Manila Bay. Shortly after our move to Galeria de Magallanes in Magallanes Village, Makati, Metro Manila, she passed away after her struggles with Alzheimer's disease.

- Ramy Hocson (March 22, 2014)