During our stay in Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol from July, 1966 to May, 1967, after our parents returned to New York, Julita was our surrogate  mother, who along with Willie, cared for all 10 of us while we were there by ourselves. We will never forget her for caring for us as if we were her own, even though she was only a year older than me.

In gratitude for her care, our mother helped Julita finish her last 2 years of high school in Tagbilaran City, and her 4 years of college in an agricultural school in Bilar, Bohol, which included a school field trip to Columbia, South America. With those qualifications, she was able to secure a job with the Dept of Agriculture in Ubay, Bohol.

Unfortunately, Julita succumbed to an early death in 1999 at the age of 50 due to breast cancer, probably because of all  the chemicals she had to deal with as an agriculturist. She is survived by her husband, Ondoy, and 2 children, a boy and girl, who live in Ubay.

It is very fitting therefore, that we in the Tabaco family, establish this memorial fund for Julita here for The Bohol Ubi Center Foundation Inc. (BUCFI), which ubi is one of the main agricultural crops in Bohol. BUCFI is chaired by Jean Darunday, who is also very dear to our family having lived with us during part of her stay while here in New York City. 

According to Jean, Julita worked at the Bohol Experimental Station (BES) in Ubay. BES was one of BUCFI's incorporators. BES was very actively involved during the January Ubi Festival. Jean says she is sure Julita is looking down on us all with a smile of approval to put up a memorial for her, tied up with a product (ubi) which Jean is most certain she worked closely while assigned to the BES.

Jean has been very active since her return to Bohol in women's and family self-help activities. We hope that under her leadership, the funds we contribute will go towards more meaningful activities that will benefit the present and future generations of all Boholanos, especially our relatives who continue to reside there.

We hope to continue to provide funds for BUCFI in Julita Catay Ladera's name as a memorial for her vocation, and for the dedication of Jean Darunday to better the lives of all Boholanos thru self-help projects that will allow the common people to sustain and develop their families' welfare and the economy of Bohol...Joey Tabaco

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