Reunited via Facebook
Descendants of Tiburcio del Rosario and Teresa Sempio started meeting online when New York-based Buddy Del Rosario connected with many del Rosarios via Facebook several years ago. Many members of the older generation joined in even if they were not tech-savvy because they wanted to link up with long-lost relatives and meet kinfolk they had never known. Upon the prodding of zealous organizers headed by Vina Francisco, Teah Magno, Pat Aranas, Naelia Anonas, Aying and Chuck Palenzuela, a date was chosen and lunch was hosted by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario at the Forbes Park Pavilion last June 8. We were even fortunate to have 93-year-old aunt Jesusa “Baby†del Rosario and her 92-year-old nephew Paquing Ciocon attend and gamely join in the family contests that contributed to the gaiety of the event.
Tiburcio del Rosario and Teresa Sempio started their family life in the early 19th century in idyllic Bulacan and raised their children Simplicio, Timoteo, Andrea, Esteban, Eugenia, Fernando, and Angela amid the fishponds and farmlands that they owned. Originally belonging to a simple family, the clan was hardworking, frugal, and humble. The children were taught to be patriotic, studious, and diligent in their work.
Several generations later, we were reminded that there were heroes who belonged in our family — Gregorio del Pilar, the boy general hero who fought bravely and died in Tirad Pass and his cousin, Judge Simplicio del Rosario, a delegate to the Malolos Congress. They were examples of what a Filipino must do for his country when called to duty in time of need without thinking of any remuneration and ready to die in battle.
The new crop of Del Rosarios can be found in the various fields of public service, sports, business, education, law, music, and theater/arts. Each day, we discover a Del Rosario with a new talent, an adventure, and even some with multiple family births (there are currently five sets of Del Rosario twins and one pair of triplets).
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For comments and ideas, please e-mail the author at jacinto.fa@gmail.com.
