Billie Tiong Gan

She would burst into song in the middle of our conversation. Such zest for life ❤️

Tita Billie would always say- every time Andrew and I would go out or take a trip - “Have fun. Don’t drink too much. Go home early.”

Her love and concern for Andrew and her other children was undeniable.

Rest in peace.

Achie Billie,

You’ll always be the ray of sunshine in our lives— through all of life’s ups and downs :) !

Flor: “Your mom doesn’t cook?”
Christine: “She just eats”

I was introduced by a common friend, commissioner at SEC. Every Saturday, she would have lunch and invite me… once… twice… thrice. On the fourth time, she asked me “What, you don’t like Chinese food? We can do something else”

Billie likes to sing ballads. She likes to talk and reminisce of old memories. If she likes you she will always support you. I got close to her after Dewey left. She would go out with me for lunch or dinners I felt so blessed she was so concerned. Will miss Billie, my Achi Billie.

I remember Auntie Billie calling us to lunch and merienda after swimming parties at 9th street— we were spoiled with so much good food.

My favorite memory of Tita Billie was that she would always remember to give me a Christmas present, even if we hadn’t seen each other in months. Her presents would always make me smile.

Tita Billie was our neighbor years ago when I was still in college. She knew that we didn’t have a phone yet so she was so nice and she offered to give us an extension of her phone til we had one. After college, we transferred a few blocks away but we she would still tell me the latest news, she would even teach me new words and even spell it out because she had a deep vocabulary. Tita Billie is very funny. We would laugh a lot. She is my favorite because she always says I am pretty; would even mention names saying I am a lot prettier than this and that girl but when I gained weight she would always remind me to lose weight because I am so fat na. She will refer to me as pretty but taba.

I miss Tita Billie coz when she got sick I wasn’t able to visit her nor talk to her because she was always sleeping. She never forget my birthday because Andrew and I have the same birth date. When I would miss her birthday she would make me sita.

She has an uncle with a restaurant on top of Circle Theatre where we used to have turtle soup. Her uncle and my husband used to be classmates. She’d always ask me to have lunch. She was always so nice to me. Every year, she sends me something for Christmas.

Billie - a very good friend, so generous, always with a good laugh (and appetite!)

I met Billie when I was still a young account officer in Citibank. She was the client of Meng but Meng was out and her phone kept ringing. I answer it and attended to Billie’s needs and we became friends and the rest is history. She would always call and ask, would you believe: she’s so afraid to go out and even ride the elevator.

She was a doting mother to Andrew, Stephen, Elaine, and Christine. Her whole life was devoted to her children. She was always proud of their achievements.

When we were writing the book “Oops Don’t Throw Those Weeds Away” with Maur Lichauco, the best cook, and 2 gardener friends Noni and Carmen, Billie was always with us. She and I were together and the same as I wasn’t a cook and still an aspiring gardener. They would love to talk about the best food in restos- Jap, Chinese food and we just enjoyed trying them out.

When Tricia gave birth to my grandchild, Billie waited and waited. As it turned out, Tricia has post partum and couldn’t understand what she was feeling. Billie just waited with me and there found how understanding and patient she can do. I didn’t know post partum too at that time.

I’ll miss Billie. Oh I remember my 1st long trip abroad— when Billie found out she insisted I apply for a credit card and travelers check and ensured I don’t leave without it. What a big help indeed as I was not a traveler and didn’t realize its benefits.

Billie was always happy, cheerful. She enjoys the stock market and earning from it.

Billie seems to know everyone in the Philippines (not just Manila). She is a character and speaks her mind and opinions. But overall very kind, always helpful and loving. Will miss you Billie.

With love,

Cousin Billie was a wit and wisdom w/ a light touch, always cheerful, energetic, bringing life into any room or group! We miss her and heaven will welcome her!

When Auntie Billie was bed ridden and undergoing speech therapy, she couldn’t speak clearly.

Auntie Alice (who had lost her front teeth) came to visit and when she started to speak, Auntie Billie says “BUNGI!”. Then na-brown out.

Dining out with Auntie Billie in Manila and HK, she was always beautifully put together- almost styled with clothes and perfect hair.

She only asked for enough time til I graduated. And then that extended to when Alyssa and Chris graduated. Thats why I went back to school again. I had 3 more years.

I miss her very much. I miss our Marites moments. She always defended me. I miss my chat mate. I’ve been praying for her. She was a jewel.

Tita Billie named my 2 kids. “Tita how do I name my children? Give me a Chinese name”.

My family name is Esguerra, which means “war” and first name was “Gabriel” so “Messenger of War”. So she suggested “Messenger of Peace” — Yi Shi Ping.

At 41, I had another child, Larry. After some discussion, we named him “Angel of Love” — Yi Shi Ai.

She’s actually the friend of my mom. They were classmates in the stock market. They were always on the telephone discussing what to buy and sell. She’d guide my mom. If my mom made money in the stock market, it was because of Tita Billie.

When my mom died, she didn’t go to the wake. We asked her later why she didn’t go and she said she hated wakes. She never goes, not since her husband died. But she said to make up for it “I’ll adopt you (Tito Larry) for lunch every Saturday”.

In 1997, when my mother passed, we needed to keep my father feeling good. So I was the executive producer for a TV show. We invited breast feeding advocates to the show but didn’t know one was an activist. There was Lorraine, with a child named Christian. My dad was naughty and and asked them to zoom in. But the MTRCB and the church might shut them down so they zoomed out. So the camera man was zooming in and out, confused. The activist took the chance to take a picture out from behind my father that said “Nestle kills babies”. Next day, Channel 9 president calls to say the show will be closed down because Nestle was cutting all adverts.

Tita Billie calls me to say Christine is having a hard time breast feeding Christian, and asked me to help Christine. So I spoke to the advocate and asked her if she could bring Lorraine and her child, Christian. Christian and Christian were switched to be fed and it was beautiful. It made me want a child again but I was 41. I got pregnant in 2001. What happened between Lorraine and Christine happened between Rosanna and me, this time, with Christine watching and Auntie Billie feeding me, you know, the Chinese way.

And so I started a breastfeeding movement. We even got the Guinness Book of World Record for getting 38,000 mother and child pairs within a minute.

She was very helpful in any way she could, she would. I remember, I had not seen her in green and at church, she tapped me “who are you?”

Dearest Tita Billie—

When I think of you, I remember our Saturday lunches! I enjoyed your company immensely and have always loved your laughter. Those lunches bore me a lifelong friend in Christine and a ninang in you!

I can still hear your laughter. It couldn’t be drowned by my boisterous father’s voice, You held your own!

I also remember how you prayed so hard for Eric and me to have children. Thank you for your love and concern.

We love you, we promise to keep in touch with Christine.

Remembering you,

On trips to Hong Kong and Bangkok, there were times I’d be the only one awake so I’d bring her food or I’d go down with her.

One day she called me. She was with Tita Paz. She introduced Christine. When Christine and I started going out, she called me to come to the house to say “I hope it works out. Good luck. But if it doesn’t work out, sole ha? You can return”. I laughed.

Ahma traded stocks. Knew how to do forex. She knew many people. Ahma knew a broker that could take Christine in for her first job. So there she was. Their booth was beside our booth.

Josie’s birthday was on March 22 but Ahma was tired so they pushed the birthday cake blowing a day and a day and a day. But the cake was expiring on the 26th. So on March 25, 2025….

“Tumawa si Mommy sa salamin.

Tanggalin mo na yung trache, tawagan mo na ako.

Nagcake, nagkanta ng happy birthday. Umiyak si Maam. Kinabukasan, malungkot siya.

Hindi ko maisip kasi maganda pa yung tawa namin.

Minsan naman tawagan mo ako. Namimiss ko na yung tawag mo sa akin.

Nung dumating ako sa kanila, naghiwalay ako ng asawa, maliit pa yung anak ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sila ilalaki. Si Maam yung nagbigay ng lakas. “Kaya mo yan Maribel, hindi bibigay yan sayo kung hindi mo kaya”.

Tinuri ko siya ng pangalawang nanay. Nagsama na silang dalawang lola. Siya yung nagbigay ng lakas. Yung paalala niya, dala ko yun.

Parang akong isang anak na naulila, pumupunta ako sa kwarto niya. Magiyakan nalang kami doon.

Maraming nagliligaw sa kanya noon. Pero sabi niya, pangalawang asawa yung salbahe. Meron na siyang apat na piglet.

Sabi niya, suot ng magandang gamit para galangin ng lalaki. Nung nag day off kami, pagnakita niya yung damit na hindi maganda, susundan niya kami at titingnan kami sa pintuan.

Nung nagagalit siya sa akin, tinatanong niya “sino ka ba talaga? Nahulog ka ba sa langit tapos dito sa gate?” Nagdoorbell lang ako. Ayoko sa dati kong amo. Sabi nila punta ka sa #22, doorbell ka doon. A las tres ng hapon. Sinabihan kaagad “Kelan ka maguumpisa?” Tinaggapan ako ng kaagad. Nagumpisa ako May 16, 2006. Napakastrict siya noon. Pero yung pagkastrict niya may lesson. Nung umalis ako, sabi niya "balik ka na".

Nung maliit pa si Rose, binigay niya ng 200 pesos para sa Jollibee, tapos isang buong bag ng candy galing kay Aunty Letty. Nagtonsilitis siya pagkatapos.

“Don’t cry Maribel, don’t cry”. Maiyakin ako. Ayaw niya akong paiyakin kasi iiyak rin siya."

She would send us traveling in batches (Andrew and Elaine, Christine and Stephen) to the US and Europe because she ran a paper company and the busiest time was before school started.

She was a class of her own. She said traveling was the best for education. This was before credit cards. Some of our trips were 2-3 months long so we learned to budget with travel cheques.

My fond memories of cousin Billie were the endless hours chatting on the phone. She loved giving me tips on how to approach prospective clients, what to say to them.

She even called some of her friends to say that I’d be calling on them.

And then, she would later ask me what I said… how did I present… etc.

Her favorite line was
"What did the rug say to his client?"
"I got you covered!”

I will miss Billie… my Achi Billie.

Billie was a spit fire— full of life and a cheerful and a kind hearted person— full of caring for our mutual sick friend of ours.

Godspeed, Billie to a place of eternal peace and joy.

Growing up, I always thought of Tita Billie as mom’s friend. And what a friend she was! They would chat on the phone almost daily, not just talking, but singing and reciting poetry and quotable quotes too. Their favorite was Albert Camus’ “In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was, in me, an invincible summer”.

When mom was diagnosed with leukemia, Tita Billie became MY friend, checking up on mom and us daily. She would send jokes and stories of inspiration and faith to strengthen us.

THANK YOU Tita Billie! I love you!

Tita Billy,

She would call me on the phone and make plans with me for a mahjong session of my mom.

I remember Tita Billie fondly. She was full of wisdom and a strong woman. She told me countless stories of when she was widowed and had to take over the factory. When she learned that I was taking on a new job at a manufacturing facility, she told me something so profound “walk around w/ your arms behind your back”. It was a symbol of confidence. Up to this day, I continue to follow her advice.

Will miss ya.

I remember having weekend lunches with Auntie Billie. She’d always be so welcoming and would always flatter me.

Billie repeatedly told me she studied at UST, a very proud alumna. She was close to the Spanish rectors. The Dominican fathers were very dogmatic. You pay your tuition to the rector but since she was one of the scholars, the rector called her in, opened the drawer, and gave the money back.

The word cemetery comes for the Greek word for dormitory. Early Christians celebrated deaths with banquets. They placed a hole on top of the tomb and poured wine. Love does not end. There’s pain because you love. Life is changed not ended.

Dearest Billie,

I remember we met in Grade 4, I was the ‘new student’ and you came up and introduced yourself. She was very warm and talkative. We have been friends for 77 years. I will miss you, our texts, phone calls, lunches, and dinners.

Rest now… til our next.

Much love

Thank you Tita Billie for the friendship you shared with Mom which has extended to us (Mom's children). I remember our late night kwentos (because Mom was asleep) because you were up-- waiting for Andrew :)

Thank you for introducing us to Chinese delicacies that you'd bring unannounced.

Rest now Tita. We will remember you fondly. We love you.

I would remember my dearest friend calling me “Old Flirt” every time we see each other.

She was like a sister to me and whenever I had problems in the office she would always be there to help me w/ her naughty remarks and we would start laughing our hearts out.

Her gifts for me would always be delivered to me in advance with her short beautiful notes!

Billie will always be my great, thoughtful and loving friend ❤️

We will surely miss Billie 姊. She shall always remain with us. She always has the right advice for everyone. A saint always ready to help others.

Our family and the Tiong’s family were very close.

I remember so clearly how lovely Bia would be singing for us specially from our family’s trip together from Hong Kong to Macao.

My sister, Mimi, who’ll be celebrating Bia’s birthday this July 3 in heaven. Mimi was closer to her because of their age. I was closer to Ruby.

I’ll always remember her beautiful smile, laughter, and her singing “Rose Rose I love you”!

My fondest memories of Auntie Billie:

Billie and I were in close contact, almost once a week in the 1990s through the telephone. There were moments our chats lasted long through a variety of topics... politics, cheezmeez, LECTURES and "Marites" tidbits, and our long conversations caught me snoozing off without a proper bye bye.

On many visits, Billie was so thoughtful to share me her oriental home made delicacies-- one called "so que". It was so preciously made. I am one of the lucky ones who was able to bring home some. Too bad, I should have asked her to teach me the secret of that prized oriental dish. There were some Saturdays we had lunch together.

Yes, I missed her dearly since her heart attack. Occasionally, on weekends, I would drop by and stay a few moments even when she was having her massage. For some time, I felt a void, no more chats, only text messages from her nurses.

Christmases we did not forget each other, exchanging little memories of each other.

The last few months were so tense for me. News about her health was off and on. My only consolation was through prayers and masses.

One lasting trait we both shared-- we remember each one's birthdays-- but I had some lapses-- when she reminded I was late greeting-- a lady for all seasons! Billie --

One more lest I forget, I was the handyman go to source for a driver, etc. and to select the type of aircon for her TV area -- she reminded me -- cool and quiet. That was eezy!

1) When I was in China Bank, Billie can't ride the elevator by herself, she had claustrophobia. So because of that, I became very close to her. Everytime she goes to our office, I will bring her down and pick her up downstairs.
2) Billie became so close to me. She was like my mother, auntie, and sister that I never had.
3) There are so many things I want to share-- it's too many, can't say them all.
4) I just want to say I love her very much.

I met Billie in my house with Susan who introduced us. It was a short hi/ hello but with that short words, it has become a legacy of long friendship and love. Billie-- a straight forward woman, with a weak heart full of love and sincerity. I love Billie whose character is so steadfast. Who in years together, never says any ill thing about anyone. Never I heard her say bad words, always a professional in everything she does.

Emotionally, she has strength of character. A very loyal lady with good intentions. She carries a shining light of life and even for a whole day with her, there's laughter and joy.

I really miss my best friend Billie, who brought inspiration in my life. She is a true friend, a more than a relative-- for me my sister--

I will truly miss her and will look forward to meet Billie someday. Rest in Heaven my dearest.

Peace 🕊️

When I was pregnant with Franzea, I had a difficult pregnancy. I had to be on complete bedrest. Tita Billy told me that I had to eat chocolates even a little everyday so that my baby would grow in my tummy faster. She would bring me chocolates at home. Thankfully, Franzea was born and Tita Billy would call her the "Choco Baby".

My fond memories of Billie are of our families having dinner at Mann Hann and thoroughly enjoying the food Andrew would order.

It's so hard to even begin to try and choose a favorite memory of Ahma... I always look back fondly on memories of her picking Alyssa and I up from school and bringing us to eat dimsum and hotpot.

Whenever and wherever we would travel, it was always Ahma who was my seat mate as we looked for the nearest bench... and as we rested, she magically always had a stack of FITA crackers or almond nougat in her bag. Every time I look back on the things I achieved as Sneakerdoodles, it's hard not to think of Ahma. She was the one who bought me my first signature Nike basketball shoe, the KD III. I just wish she could see the work I'm doing now. I don't think she realizes just how much of an impact she made with that gift.

Billie and I met and became close immediately. It must be because I am a good listener and a follower-- especially if I like the person. And I liked Billie a lot when we first met. So we became close because we got along so well, liked the same things, and respected each other.

I really don't know why we got along so well but I am just so happy we did because she turned out to be a very good friend and I love her dearly.

When I think of Aunty Billie, I think of endless stories and non-stop laughter. Her sense of fashion and her knowledge of books, current events, chismis were legendary. When we got married in 2008, she gamely stood in for my mom because she could not accept that my dad would walk alone. I will always hold that memory close to me. Thank you Aunty Billie.

Dearest Billie,

I'm missing you already and all our "get togethers", but you are in a better place now-- in the arms of our dear Lord Jesus in his everlasting love forever.

Love you always ❤️❤️❤️

I miss my nightly chats with Auntie Billie. We used to giggle and talk about anything under the sun. Auntie Billie would hide under the blanket so Ahia Andrew won't know she's still awake hahaha! Love you Auntie Billie!

Billie loved life and was so much fun to be with. I am young enough to be her daughter but there was no age barrier between us. Will always carry our good memories.

Ahma

My invincible Ahma. I can’t quite process how you’re gone. It’s too painful to fathom so instead I’ll remember the you that's the most gregarious person I’ve ever known. You brought people into your orbit so naturally. You could never tell us not to talk to strangers because you were always striking up conversation with strangers at the next table over or with someone also wearing stripes at the mall.

I'll remember you making telebabad with mom in the mornings, reminding us life is so rich with each day giving us new stories to collect and tell. When mom started working, you would call Chris and me to bring us out for lunch and to make pasyal, always spoiling us with clothes, or fruits, or once, a Doris Day DVD box set, even though I had no clue who she was. 

For all your beautiful clothes Uncle Andrew would drape you in, you also knew how to enjoy life’s simplest pleasures, like a good thick ply tissue. You made it feel like we’d hit jackpot whenever we found some in the bathroom of a nice restaurant. You taught me life needs to be celebrated in all its shapes and forms. 

You would casually recite Wordsworth and excitedly share with us the new words you learned while watching the National Spelling Bee. Now I'll always know I have to wear a "numnah" so my butt won't get numb, na! For all your eloquence, you would also text in a language of your own– in all caps and in a heavily abbreviated stream of consciousness as if we were still being charged by the character and there was always more to be said than we had time for. 

You were the town cryer for all the chismis and the bodega ng bayan, always carrying around an entire Mercury Drug Store’s worth of medicine for any ailment. How I wish you had something to heal this big Ahma-shaped hole you left.

You were the best at scouting out the nearest mall chair. Even when you were tired, you showed up, always. As Chris and I spent summers in the Wack Wack swimming pool learning how to swim, we knew you’d be up there, ready with hotdogs and fries. We’ll keep the mental image of you up on those steps in Phuket, waving down at us, looking so incredibly content. 

On family trips, you would also write down details of where we ate and malls we shopped in in your little bank-gifted journals, which you gifted me so I could do it as well. I realize you're the reason I cling to memories so much as I scramble to journal everything I do to this day. Thank you for teaching me how to see life as something to be remembered.

I still hear you like it was yesterday, singing “Besameeee, besame muchooo” at the top of your lungs with the GM of Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong in a grand attempt to get a week's suite for free. I picture you during the war singing to ward the Japanese soldiers off, a story almost too ludicrous to be true for anyone but you. 9 years ago after your stroke, the first words you uttered were the lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s The Way You Look Tonight. Those lyrics keep me warm now too: 

Some day, when I’m awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you,
And the way you look tonight.

I picture you tonight, up there in Heaven, reunited with Angkong, bowling, eating oysters and cheese, snacking on Vienna sausage in a tin, smelling of Le Labo perfume swiped from Uncle Andrew’s toiletries kit, singing at the top of your lungs, and winding down the day watching your rotation of Breakfast at Tiffany’s / The Gladiator / Ip Man 2. Til the next time we see you, we’ll be here, holding the fort down, honoring your memory. I'll personally be waiting for the opportunity to order "one Mitsubushi for Ahma and one Toyota for me" again.

For a full life of giving light, laughter, song, and Fita crackers, you deserve to be lavished in the love of everyone here. Rest well on the gilded mall chairs of Heaven Ahma, and say hi to Angkong for us. I love you for always.