PIA NAZARENO-ACEVEDO
My name is Pia Nazareno-Acevedo, I am 47 years old. I have been married for 22 years to Jim Acevedo. We have three sons, Marco (21), Paolo (18), and Joshua (10). I am the third of five children of Norberto “Boy” and Evelyn Nazareno.
Mommy and Pappy (as I fondly call them) were married 53 years ago, November 16, 1968. They met in 3rd-year college serving the poor of Sapang Palay in Bulacan. Romantic, isn’t it? Hahaha!
In October and November 2021, respectively, they were both diagnosed with stage 4 cancer (colon and prostate accordingly), each having the aggressive form of the cancer of their kind (is that even a thing?) According to her oncologist, Mommy has a type of colon cancer that only 1% of people have, and Pappy has the type of prostate cancer that grows from nothing to stage 4 in just a year…
I was asked to write about my parents and how they have inspired me. Upon receiving the request from Tita Celia, I knew that whatever I ended up submitting would not capture the true essence of being raised by Norberto “Boy” and Evelyn Nazareno. Here is my feeble attempt to list down 12 things I have learned from them. In no specific order.
- Do what is right because it’s right. No cutting corners, no excuses, no favoritism, no lengthy explanations needed. Be fair, be just, do good.
- Be humble always. People may praise you, love you, and even adore you – make sure that they know it is not you – rather it is the Lord that uses your life as an instrument of His love, graciousness, and faithfulness.
- Live a sacramental life. Be nurtured by the Holy Sacraments and be a sacrament of the Lord’s love and faithfulness to others. Whenever you travel, it is a non-negotiable to book a hotel near a church. Receiving the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist daily allows you to nurture your love relationship with our Lord.
- Pray together. Talk about our Lord freely and share all that you know about His love and faithfulness to others!
- Live simply, be generous. So many people are suffering and have so little. Provide love, service, and opportunities for the less fortunate. Always share your blessings.
- Share your talents for the greater good. Whatever talent you were given, it was meant to serve the Lord. Share your talents generously to bear witness to and bring others closer to Him.
- Laugh. Don’t take yourself too seriously. No one is perfect. Admit when you are wrong. Forgive, be kind to yourself and to others.
AUGUST 2018 CELEBRATION OF NORBERTO “BOY” & EVELYN NAZARENO’S 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WITH CHILDREN, KRISTINE, CARLO, PIA, EMMANUEL, JOHN PAUL, SPOUSES, & GRANDCHILDREN, PARIS, FRANCE - Dream big. All our efforts contribute to a higher purpose of being. You may not always witness the fruits of your labor but be assured that all your choices and actions contribute to a greater good.
- In your free time – Go to Divisoria! (market)
- Food is happiness! And according to Mommy – skip all the food and go straight to dessert. (hahaha!)
- Always have a learning attitude. There is always something new to learn; Pappy can learn anything new with so much ease and confidence. He is your all-in handyman – plumber, electrician, gardener, carpenter, mechanic, driver, sketch artist, painter, photographer, cook, travel agent, book editor; the list is endless…
- When you’re tired, desolate, and feeling down, remember to see yourself as God sees you – You are His beloved.
In conclusion, Nothing Happens by Chance, everything happens for a reason… true to His mysterious plans – Mommy and Pappy are dying of cancer together… in a way, perfectly bonding them even more so. I couldn’t imagine their love story having a better ending – in sickness and in health… one in celebrating a lifetime of love and blessings together…one in counting down to their ultimate homecoming.
Pia’s story is as beautiful as I have known Evelyn to be – not only as a Maryknoll classmate but also as a childhood swimming schoolmate.
I and my wife Fe are praying everyday that our Lord God Almighty may give Kuya Boy and Ate Evelyn a miracle that they be cured of their affliction. They are an inspiration to not only our lives but in the lives of the less fortunate. They would always have a helping hand to those who need it without second thoughts. May God make them an inspiration to the world that his graces are always with us and showing the world how much he loves us all ! To God be the Glory !
And that is Boy and Evelyn!
Boy and Evelyn are beautiful human beings who have lived their lives as a testestament to the hard work, discipline and passion needed to be true and faithful servants of the Lord. I had more interaction with Boy as a friend and client- in those days with FDIC, SMDS Coop, Fools for Christ, Fr Tom Greene’s group… and have only admiration for his humility and steadfastness of the Christian values he lives by. Evelyn has always been the wind beneath his wings! I am sure they are on the list, if there is one, of God’s favorite people!
I thank the Lord that my path crossed Boy’s .. he enriched me not only professionally but more spiritually. Have attended several retreats he organized and from each, I came out deeply nourished and a better person. Praying for you and Evelyn.
Pia, your parents has always been an inspiration to me and your Tito Rey. While your Tito met your father in the banking industry, his admiration of him he shared to me even before I knew them. They have been an instrument of God’s love to us,not just in our retreat group, Society of Friends which they led with Father Tom Green. They also encouraged Rey and myself when they passed on to us the baton of taking their place as head. They formed a small prayer group which we called Father Tom’s Prayer group and we meet monthly and through the years, we learned more about God’s love through them. What an admirable couple they are.
We also joined them in the hope of living together in London and even there, they were taking care of us. It was your papa and mama who introduced me to a group in Nortedame de France so I can use my learnings in counseling. They are one couple who try their best to bring people to help the needy, thereby making us see the face of God in them.
When we learned of your mom and dad’s sickness, we felt so sad. We wanted to run to them and be with them, but the pandemic did not help.
You and your siblings are very lucky to have parents like them. They are God’s sacrament of love to us all. I pray for them everyday. I told your mom that I am happy that we will move closer to where they live and if God permits, that we can go on meeting in our small prayer group again.
My dearest Pia,
Thank You for this beautiful tribute to your most wonderful parents. Boy and Evelyn truly are the most AMAZING friends I have, trusting fully that God is with them ALWAYS. I know that God has sent them to us in order to learn how to really live as he would want us all to; just as you yourself have enumerated in your message. They are the Best Models of God’s Love in our circles. I feel very strongly that with our dearest Evelyn and Boy, we are living with TRUE SAINTS in our midst. Am most grateful that our paths crossed in this lifetime.
With all my Love, to you, Pia, my dear Inaanak, and all your family,
Your Ninang,
Amalie
Dear Pia,
Like your family, Tita Tessie and I also learned a lot from Boy and Evelyn, in fact too many to put down here. As the saying goes – Boy and Evelyn are truly “Man and Woman For Others”
Love you,
Tito Centee and Tita Tessie
Dearest Boy and Evelyn… we are praying with you. Hope to see you next time you visit London. Our 1st Wednesday Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Farm St Church which you organised is still going strong despite the pandemic. God bless…
Hello Pia
Your parents are truly an inspiration to us all and in all aspects of life. What a beautiful tribute them -My heart breaks and tears flow but their legacy to us is great . Our love, thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. 😊❤️
Dear Pia…such a beautiful tribute to your parents who so deserve it! We pray for your entire family. May the New year bring all of us peace and joy despite the difficulties!
Much love and prayers!
Tito Topax and Tita Mary Anne
I know them personally, having them as a neighbor is really a blessing. I’ve learned and still learning so much from them. Very humble couple that has a smile for everyone. If not with this pandemic, I would love to visit and give them a hug.
A heartwarming tribute Pia, and inspiring too. When one’s mindset is to live in accordance to GOD’s will, one can live a peaceful life in the grace of GOD.
Prayers for GOD’s Divine healing on Boy & Evelyn.
Lovely. Heartwarming. Touching & remarkable love. An inspiration to every couple. For richer or for poorer, in sickness & in health…till life after death! Wedding vows to uphold. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Pia. Our condolences & prayers. Alan, Ria & Kim
Very touching and full of wisdom sharing! Thank you for your sharing! Deepest condolence! You must be proud to have a role model in your life!
Thank you for sharing your experiences about your parents. You did a great job. Boy was my classmate in Ateneo but I did not know him well enough to appreciate his virtues. I will remember him in my prayers and hope that he prays for me too.
These are 12 wonderful lessons really worth sharing! You are blessed Pia! Praying that God’s comfort be with you.
Pia this is a beautiful remembrance of Your Pappy. His influence and his heart shine on. The 12 things learned from him are a rule for all and a basis for a beautiful life. Thank you for sharing. Love Roberto Alfonso