Daughter of Pinay murdered in US copes, graduates from high school with honors

ONTARIO, Calif. – There were 18 of everything. Eighteen roses, 18 candles, 18 treasures, and 18 years of birthdays marked, with only one thing missing – her mother.
 
Cheryl Rose Tolentino, only daughter of Charito Tolentino, celebrated her 18th birthday and high school graduation without her beloved mother.
 
While mourning her mother’s death with her father as prime suspect on January 11, Tolentino has found the strength to carry on, nurtured by a loving family and relatives from far and near.
 
She graduated with principal’s honors from Troy High School in Fullerton, Calif., on June 13. She said she will attend the American University in Washington, D.C., where her mother’s brother Veo Tolentino and his wife reside.
 
A week later, she celebrated her 18th birthday on June 22, with a grand debutante’s ball at the Grove Ballroom, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Ontario, Calif. Every out-of-town relative was accounted for, even ‘Kuya’ Jun Tolentino from Canada. The ballroom lit up, exploding with the artistry of close friend Ed Rame.
 
 “And it’s just the way my mom and I had planned it a year ago, when I was only 17,''
 
the saddened teen told Philippine News, “but I know she’s happy watching as we celebrate tonight. Our family friend Dolly Robinson, helped during the first stages of planning this event.”
 
The pride of the Tolentino family, Cheryl Rose earned the pet name ‘Precious,’ according to Christine ‘Xtine’ Macalalad, because her aunt Charito had three miscarriages and “Cheryl Rose is her mom’s precious gift.”
 
THE GRADUATE
 
Always an achiever, Tolentino graduated valedictorian in grade school. At age eight, she appeared on stage at a Hollywood theater for a two-week run of the Filipino American play ‘Stateside Girls.’
 
“Her teacher said that Cheryl Rose has the potential to be the next president of the United States,” stated Macalalad, “but at her high school graduation, she was promoted, and instead of being the next president, she was awarded Most Likely to be the Next Oprah.”
 
Writing and dancing Polynesian are Tolentino’s passions. She served as Public Relations editor of Troy High School’s yearbook ‘Ilium,’ and won the Business Marketing award at the 2012 Yearbook West Camp on July 30 last year.  She interned at the Orange County Register for a year, writing about fashion, surfing, beach safety tips, and beach bonfire basics – what to bring, what to make, where to get a spot.
 
She was president of three clubs: the Ohana Club, a musical group that she founded which serves the community with fundraisers while entertaining seniors; the Polynesian dance group and the Live Poets Society. She was a member of the Pinoys Sharing Smiles Together (PSST); the Youth Leadership America, and the National Student Leadership Conference. She was a volunteer at the West Covina Library for four years, coordinating events and working with the annual Summer Reading Program.
 
DEBUTANTE’S BALL
 
“Tonight we celebrate the rite of passage of Cheryl Rose Tolentino,” announced emcee Bernardo Bernardo,” followed by the entrance of the debutante in a pristine white gown with escort Wesley Chaing. Her niece led the court as the flower girl. “She’s the baby of the family,” added Bernardo, “Hailey Jaidenne Macalalad, daughter of Cheryl’s cousins PJ and Sheila Macalalad.” Eight pairs of close friends from school completed her ‘court of honor.’
 
The invocation was delivered by ‘Ate Christine,’ an active member of St. John Eudes Music Ministry in Chatsworth, Calif., who is considered the most influential person in Cheryl Rose’s life. During dinner, there were video clips, a flashback of the celebrant’s life, growing up in the company of her mom, relatives and school chums.
 
What followed next were the 18 treasures ceremony, the welcome by Uncle and legal guardian Rudy Santuray and a hearty toast to debutante Cheryl Rose. And if guests were expecting Vienna Waltz for the Cotillion de Honor, they were delightfully surprised to see them dance to the music of Harry Potter Waltz. Bryan Naguit, the celebrant’s junior year prom date, choreographed the cotillion.
 
Participants of the 18 treasures rite were former classmates and friends of the celebrant while in the 18 candles ceremony, they were chosen women close to the debutante who expressed their greetings signifying roles they played in the life of Cheryl Rose. The ‘guiding light’ in the life of the celebrant included Auntie Delia Santuray, her legal guardian, whom the celebrant called ‘Kikik.’ “It was because when Cheryl was a baby,” said Macaladlad, “Aunt Del played with her and greeted her with arikikikikik and it stuck, so now everyone calls her Kikik.”
 
Aunt Letts, the oldest sister of Charito, was the only one among family members and guests who made reference to “the darkest moment” in her niece’s life and to her “strength” in coping with the tragedy. She’s her niece's favorite for her ‘bulanglang and ribs’ dishes.
 
Others who expressed best wishes for the debutante were Tita Mament, wife of Uncle Boying from Los Feliz;  Daryl Ann Santuray, daughter of Delia, who grew up with Cheryl Rose’s mom; Aizell Tolentino, who is Cheryl Rose’s fashion inspiration; Pilar Ponce, a co-worker from Saint Vincent, a confidante and very good friend of Charito; Marilyn Avengoza, a close family friend, who spoke for her daughter Lara Avengoza, Cheryl Rose’s godmother in confirmation; Chrystal Ngo, closest friend since grade school; and ‘Ate Christine,’ among others.
 
The 18 roses received came from relatives and close friends, who also danced with the celebrant, including Tito Peter who bought her a dog during the second day of their vacation in the Philippines; Kuya Jun Tolentino from Canada; Kuya PJ Macalalad who used to baby sit her; Rodell Santuray, “my role model,” said Tolentino, “like an older brother”; and writer friend Raymond Lo, to name a few.  
 
After sharing her birthday cake with her guests, the honoree thanked her family and friends for their love and support and for giving her the strength to carry on. Philippine News

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