What’s in my Wardrobe Closet? A Tribute

My wardrobe closet is full even if I had not been shopping for clothes for a long time.

I’m blessed with church people and friends who are very generous and know how to dress me up. They shower me with gifts of clothes and more. 

I just celebrated my birthday this month and guess what I got for gifts? More clothes were added to my collection of brand new shirts, now piled in my closet, some with their sales tags still on. 

But a very special gift was given to me last month. And this is the reason why I thought of writing an article about the many clothes in my wardrobe closet. This is a tribute to those wonderful people.

Recently, a very good friend gave me two sets of expensive brand new barong Tagalog (Philippine native dress shirts) when she returned from vacation in the Philippines. 

When Ate Letty attended a dinner concert I did for the Lion’s Club in April, she noticed a shiny object running along my barong sleeve. (That’s the scotch tape I used to secure a tear on my barong which I hope no one would notice-but she did.) 

“Gil, what size of shirt do you wear? Ate Letty inquired while running her hand on my dilapidated barong sleeve. “I’ll get you a new one when I return from vacation.” “Medium Ate.” I answered. 

Ate Letty was a staunch supporter of Mabuhay Restaurant in Chicago. She wanted me to succeed and so she advertised for me. She arranged for a lot of catering orders and brought many friends to dine in.

Last year, she asked me to sing at a dinner banquet she organized in celebration of her 70th birthday. She grew fond of me when she learned that I was a former student of her cousin Dr. Gem Soriano of Central Luzon State University in the Philippines-the person who guided me in my earlier years of journalism.

When she came back from vacation, her son delivered to me not one, but two sets of barong Tagalog.

Ate Letty went to be with the Lord few days ago. She won’t be here anymore to see me wear those barongs .Thank you Ate Letty. We miss you.

My closet has a section dedicated for barong. They come in different textures, color shades and designs. And they came from different special individuals.   

My brother-in-law Efren Olivares contributed to that collection. One of my favorites is the see-through barong. I have to wear a long-sleeved colored shirt under it. This style is perfect for doing a concert show-not too formal and it gets a lot of attention.

Brother Efren came to America in 2009 to assist me in the church ministry. Along with his wife Sarie and daughter Sarah, they left the Sultanate of Oman for the USA. Together, we ventured into a restaurant business.

But he passed away in 2011 due to illness and he left me with the church ministry, the restaurant and loads of clothings. 

I’d given away to the thrift store most of his clothes but kept all the barongs and a leather jacket. I miss my brother Efren.

 Many of my suits were contributed by my dear brother in Christ, Dr. Armando Pacis. My favorites from his clothing line are the light-colored suits which I never had before. I also like the winter collection which include several turtle and V-necks, and thick  woolen jackets. Many items are expensive brand names. Thanks to Sis. Ruth, Marissa, Michael & Melissa and Aimee for making me Bro. Armando’s heir of his nice clothes. 

Bro Armando was one of the founders of the Lord of the Nations Church. He preached and taught the Bible not only through the pulpit and classroom but through his life.

Dr. Pacis went to be with the Creator in August 2011 and we greatly miss him.

My other set of clothing came from a collector. “Since I came to America, I only bought clothes made in the USA!” said Brother Art Fajardo. His contribution to my wardrobe is very significant because I wear them almost everyday, for his line are mostly casual-everyday clothing. 

When I received his contribution, there was one item that stood out. It was an item still in its original packaging with the sales tag on it. No, it’s not made in USA. It was a beautiful barong proudly made in the Philippines. It came right on time for my daughter Gilary’s coronation night as Miss Illinois during the Philippine Infependence Day celebration. I surely looked handdome in it. At least that’s what my wife said.

Brother Art Fajardo and his dear wife Violet were faithful members of my church. I’ve known them since I was a little boy. Through all the years they’ve gifted me much. They had
generous hearts and I was always
on the receiving end. But most of all, they love God’s work to which they contributed generously.

They went to be with the Lord six months apart. I miss them everyday especially when I’m wearing Kuya Art’s clothing. Gina and Vicky, thank you for passing down Kuya Art’s collection to me. They’re put to good use.

  So, this was how my wardrobe closet filled up. I treassure each item there, more than the ones I  bought for myself.  Each time I wear a clothing item from them, not only do I remember the special person, I feel like I am embraced and cared for.  It reminds me that they are cheering me on. Because they are part of the great cloud of witnesses. One day,  I will meet them again….in God’s appointed time. 

Meanwhile, I’m here fulfilling His purposes in my life. I may not have designer clothes to pass on to others. Instead , I wish to leave behind some important lessons of life:

through the experiences that I openly share; 

through the sermons that I preach and teach from God’s word;

 through my songs, poems and sayings.

through my friendship either virtual or personal.

I hope you keep on reading my writings.

God bless you all.