‘La Divina’

She is a fashion icon (“La Divina,” is how designer Rajo Laurel once described her), but philanthropist Imelda Ongsiako Cojuangco christened “MeldyCo” by society writers, says she would have been a piano teacher if she had not married Ramon Cojuangco Sr. and become a hands-on mother to their five children. Which is just as well because she and Monching played beautiful music together for over 30 years until his death in 1984.

“He was my husband, my lover, my friend, my teacher.”

Mrs. Cojuangco made a rare social appearance the other day to announce the forthcoming Grand Marian Procession on Dec. 2 (the first Sunday of the month) of the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion Foundation, which she founded in 1981.

The Sunday procession commemorates the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8. Sandra Martinez of the Intramuros Administration announced that no less than Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. will attend this year’s Grand Marian Procession, which will start at Plaza Roma in Intramuros.

Ever slim, MeldyCo is a social heavyweight because she gives aplomb, prestige and credibility to any cause she supports. And she is devoted to the Cofradia’s Marian procession, because she has been a Marian devotee since she was a toddler.

She believes her devotion to Jesus and the intercession of Mary brought many miracles to her life, particularly one that saved her many years ago.

She once related to us the story of how a househelp’s unexpected but timely visit to her room saved her life. Since her children are all grown up and live on their own, she lives alone with her faithful staff in her Makati home. A househelp who was not supposed to check on her one night suddenly entered her room to ask permission if she could go home to attend to her own sick mother. The househelp wasn’t a second too early because MeldyCo was apparently very sick and could only mutter to her, “call Dr. Ting (Meldy’s brother).”

MeldyCo was rushed to the ER and spent three months in the hospital.

(Seated, from left) Cor Yulo Ebdalin, Rory Eizmendi, Imelda Cojuangco, Karen Macasaet and Marietta Santos; (standing, from left) Lory Yulo, Baby Javelosa, lawyer Lulu Castañeda, Ado Escudero, Nenuca Blardony, Nene Leonor, Danny Dolor, Rosita Lesaca, Angola Consul Helen Ong, Zita Feliciano, Vic Tengco-Burgos, Sandy Ching and Deiy Arionday.

“I thought I wouldn’t survive the aneurysm I suffered in 2007,” she said. 

“I thought I was going to die,” she added. But her fragile looks belie Imelda Cojuangco’s indomitable spirit for she pulled through. She was not allowed to leave the house for about a year because her immune system was weak. Today, though she is still careful, Imelda Cojuangco is already able to go out and lend her presence to her various causes.

Once asked the reason behind her radiance, she immediately replied: “My faith!” She hears Mass every day.

At last Tuesday’s Cofradia press conference at the Makati Shangri-La, she looked even more energetic than she did last year. Looking very feminine in an all-white ensemble that contrasted with her red lipstick, she was indeed, “La Divina.”

“I would like to think that over the three decades since its founding, our organization has succeeded not only in strengthening the faith and spirituality of its immediate circle of members and friends, but more importantly, in reinforcing spiritual development among our countrymen, intensifying devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and contributing to the easing of social anxieties,” she said.

Another project of the Cofradia is the First Holy Communion for 500 students from the Baseco Elementary School in Port Area, Manila. This year, they will receive their First Communion on Nov. 30 at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros with Bishop Teodoro Bacani as officiating priest.

MeldyCo provides the First Communicants with their special white attire and shoes.

It is the first time for many of the First Communicants to wear shoes.

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This year’s procession will feature over 100 carozas of the Blessed Virgin, according to Ado Escudero, chairman of the Cofradia Comite de Festejos. Escudero also announced that for the first time since 1980, the Jesuits will participate in the Grand Marian Procession.

It also is expected to attract hordes of tourists and Marian devotees from all over the world, in an activity that is now being promoted as part of the Philippines’ “Christian Tourism” efforts. The only predominantly Christian nation in Southeast Asia, the Philippines glistens with several colorful religious festivities that delight the senses and nurture the soul.

“The most popular festivals in other countries, whether Christian or not, are religious festivals,” Escudero pointed out. “The same could be said of our country.”

This year’s Hermano and Hermanas Mayores are Jorge Allan Tengco, Marietta Santos and Ma. Victoria Tengco-Burgos.

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MeldyCo, who is on the cover of the coffee table book of the portraits of the late renowned Chilean painter Claudio Bravo, once described her fashion style as “exaggerated.”

But dressing up is not the only thing Imelda does with exaggeration. Helping others is also something she sometimes overdoes, telling friends at a recent charity event, that “I have been so blessed in my life, I want to make a difference in the lives of others.”

(You may e-mail me at [email protected].)