Filomena Enerio Vda. de Lim, the matriarch of the Lim family which owns Lite Shipping Corporation, Richli Corporaion, and the Bohol Community Cable TV, passed away on Monday.
She was 96.
A statement issued by the Lim family said that Filomena died at the Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City.
She was the honorary chair of Lite Shipping Corp. and Richli Corp., an active member of the Filipino-Chinese community in Tagbilaran City and a member of “Banal Na Pag-aaral” and other religious groups.
Filomena was born to Ramon Enerio, Sr. and Irene Espiritu and was the only daughter in a brood of nine. Before she got married, she was an elementary school teacher at the Bohol School of Arts and Trade (BSAT).
She was also an accomplished pianist.
Filomena was married to the late Lucio Guy Lim, Sr. (CPA), but was widowed at the age of 35 when her husband figured in an accident at the Limtiaoco Rice Mill.
The unfortunate event left the young Filomena with children aged six months to five years old.
She pioneered the establishment of the first pawnshop in Tagbilaran City, named Agencia Filomena in 1960 in partnership with then-First Lady Leonila Garcia, wife of former President Carlos P. Garcia. In her 90’s, she was recognized as one of the “Best Nanay” awardees nationwide by Boy Abunda’s Make Your Nanay Proud Foundation (MYNP).
The award was given to mothers who have compelling stories about sacrifice, determination, patience and unconditional love by a devoted mother to her family.
Her latest recognition was an award given by the Tagbilaran City local government unit for being the Outstanding Mother of the Year for her devoted guidance and selfless love to her family which inspired her children to maximize their potentials for the benefit of the people of the city.
Filomena is survived by her children Josephine Lim-Rizalde, Lucio Lim, Jr., Richard Lim, Rosemarie Lim-Imboy, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She lost her eldest daughter Nelia who died at the age of 40 in 1995.
Filomena’s remains lie in state at the Crystal Palace of the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Nivel Hills, Lahug , Cebu City.
Her body will be brought to Sto. Nino de Soledad Chapel at J. Borja St. in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on November 7.
The chapel was donated by her to the Diocese of Tagbilaran in 2003.
Internment rites will be on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Baclayon Parish Church. She will be laid to rest at the Limtiaoco Mausoleum, Dampas Cemetery, in Tagbilaran City.