Written by: Danielle Chynna Añover, STEFTI Herald
Date: September 2019
“It’s 6 o’clock in the morning. I’m sitting lazily in my house. The sun has just barely begun its journey west, and my coffee mug sits on top of the table, beckoning me to take a sip. It’s the early ’80s, I was in college.
The ringing of church bells breaks the stillness of dawn, Poi stands at my front door and excitedly says, “Dali na! Dali na! Masimba na kita, aadto na an cute na seminarista!” Hahaha that’s my friend, Poi!”
Of course, this story was shared to me by one her closest friends who knew her quite intimately. Yet even without this anecdote, we all know her to have been the bubbly, bright, meticulous character that she was. But she is much more than that: She was a very good friend, a kind boss to others, a religious person to emulate, a barrel of laughs, always a shoulder to cry on, and overall, the nicest person there ever was.
Flordelis Nalda, affectionately known to everyone as Ate Poi, Tita Poi, or Ma’am Poi, was born in Caibiran, Biliran to a family of teachers. She loved to take on the world, to see new places and explore new cultures. She loved to sing; music was in her blood. Broadway shows were her go to relaxation activity. How she didn’t miss the opportunity to go to Manila just to catch the theatrical performance of The Phantom of the Opera. And how dynamic and artistic she was! She would spend nights snipping and pasting away as she made the medals and certificates for us, students of STEFTI.
Her smile was contagious, her joyful personality lighted up the gloomiest of times. The stories and jokes she regaled us with never failed to crack us up. She loved like no other and was loved by all.
She adored sunflowers! It won’t be much of a stretch to imagine her frolicking in a meadow filled with them, wherever she may be. Yes, she was loved, she is loved, she will always be loved. While Tita Poi returned home to her Creator on a faithful day in September, she definitely continues to stay in the hearts of all who hold her dear.
Daddy God might have taken you soon Tita Poi, but to me and to all of us in STEFTI, you will always be our teacher, boss, travel buddy, leader, singer, friend, and most of all a family in love.
