April 1st is always a special day for our family. It’s not because it is April Fools’ Day, but because it is our mom’s birthday.
Eleanor Funda-Sardual was born in the hills of Casala-an, Siaton, Negros Oriental during World War II. Her parents, Joaquin and Umnui (nee Sinsook) Funda, with dear friends, Dr. Robert Benton and Metta Silliman, and Abby Jacobs (Mrs. Silliman’s sister), were hiding from the Japanese forces that occupied the Philippines at this time.
Her name, Eleanor, was given by the Sillimans, in honor of Former US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, whom they admired. Ms. Jacobs, who taught Journalism at Silliman University around that time, recounts this story in chapter 4 of her book, We Did Not Surrender.
And as I mentioned in one of my blogs (“What’s in a name?“), mom’s name means “bright, shining one”. She has faithfully served our hometown of Ipil (in the Philippines) as a member of the town council and as a civic leader, and continues to impact people’s lives with her small group sessions and public-speaking engagements.
Mom, we honor you today, as you celebrate your birthday. Thank you for all you’ve done for us, your children, and the Funda-Sardual families! I reiterate Ceejay’s post:
I close with this newspaper clipping that I also grabbed from one of my FB friends, written by Mike Doyle. I think my siblings and I can also say that we had a really ‘mean’ mom! 🙂
God bless you and Happy Birthday, Auntie Eleanor!