It cannot be. It was with disbelief that I reacted to news that Miss Bohol 1953 Ma. Teresita Veloso- Abueva of Duero who was fondly called “Ching” by family & friends had passed away last August 13 in Manila. She was 86.
Ching Abueva in her Miss Bohol 1953 portrait
You see, I had somehow become attached to her ever since she responded to our invitation for all Miss Bohol titleholders to grace the 2015 edition of the province’s most prestigious beauty competition.
Ching who reigned as Miss Bohol during the innocent and more carefree 50’s decade was a retired teacher and had a Masters in Education degree. She exchanged lifetime vows with Martiniano Floro Jr. at the Lourdes Church in Quezon City, 1955. One of the principal sponsors in her society wedding was then Vice President Carlos P. Garcia who eventually became Philippine President in 1957.
The family migrated to Australia in 1971 and stayed abroad for almost 40 years before flying back home. She opted for the quiet and peaceful Handurawan in her hometown Duero during her retirement.
She whiled away her time doing the things that she loved the most like painting, baking & cake decorating and of course, flying regularly to Australia to visit her three children and grandchildren.
The author and Sir Craig Cespon in two Tita Ching sightings in Tagbilaran City
She is the fifth child of Hon. Teodoro L. Abueva, a Boholano congressman and Purificacion (Nena) Gonzales Veloso, president of the Women’s Auxiliary Service.
Her father, a friend and contemporary of former Philippine President Manuel Roxas and Ambassador Narciso Ramos was a member of the Provincial Board, and later became the Provincial Governor of Bohol. He ended his career as a Congressman in 1934. Both of Abueva’s parents died serving their country.
She has six other brothers & sisters: the distinguished Dr. Jose “Pepe” V. Abueva, former President of the University of the Philippines, Filipino educator, author, professor and civil servant and National Artist in Sculpture Napoleon “Billy” V. Abueva (deceased), Teodoro “Teddy”Jr., now bas:ed in New York, USA; Purificacion “Neny” -deceased), married to Atty. Ramon Binamira (deceased.) of Tagbilaran City; Amelia Martinez “Inday” now living in Chicago; and Antonio “Tony”.
Tita Ching is joined Miss Bohol titleholders Idy Cagas 2012,Farah Faye Mian 2011,
Queenie Fllante 2014, Mellanie Wallace 2000,Celevel Ranoco Butler 1992 & Beth Anana 1988
MISS BOHOL
QUEENS REUNION, JULY 2015
Photo Credits: Gerald James Cabal
She was always the princess in a brood of Abueva siblings being the youngest girl. During the reunion of former Miss Bohol titleholders during the 2015 Miss Bohol Pageant, Tita Ching was one of the most applauded queens.
She is survived by her three chlldren and grandchildren in Australia who because of the COVID 19 pandemic were unable to travel to Manila in her final days.
Tita Ching would always be remembered not only for her grace and elegance but also for belonging to the illustrious Abueva clan of Duero, Bohol.
Sleep tight Tita Ching!