Gretchel Soltones and his mother in a tearful reunion during the NCAA volleyball awarding ceremonies Tuesday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Teary-eyed and in wonder, Gretchel Soltones received the Best Attacker and MVP trophies and a long-awaited embrace.
Gretchel hasn’t experienced her mother’s hug for 13 years and on Tuesday at San Juan Arena the two finally got reunited.
Marilyn, who worked in Taiwan, last saw the San Sebastian stalwart in 2003 after a brief visit to the Philippines.
“Nung 1999 pumunta akong Taiwan, umuwi ako tapos nagkita kami noong 2003 tapos bumalik na ako [sa Taiwan] yun na last naming na kita,” Marilyn said.
The 43-year-old Marilyn said she and Gretchel’s father Marvin separated when the volleybelle was in third grade.
Marylin admitted that she was nervous about seeing her daughter, who has emerged as one of the most talented players in the collegiate scene today, again.
“Sinusubaybayan ko siya. Kaya lang nandoon na ang pakiramdam ng isang ina na di ba ang magulang hindi kayang tiisin ang anak pero ang anak kayang tiisin ang magulang? Doon ko naisip na baka sabihin niya sa akin kung ‘nasaan ka noong maliit ako?’” Marilyn said. “Sikat na siya kaya nahihiya ako.
Marilyn went watch game 3 of the NCAA finals between Grecthel’s San Sebastian and St. Benilde with her live-in partner, retired service man Vivencio Rigos, three-year-old daughter Ven Hannah Niah and seven-year-old son Von Deo.
It was only be a stroke of luck that she found her daughter; His live-in-partner had the habit of bringing home newspapers and that’s where Marilyn saw a photo of Gretchel in the sports section.
“Yung asawa ko kasi mahilig magdala ng dyaryo, yung sa tsismis ba ng mga artista. Ewan ko kung bakit biglang napunta sa sports [page]. Pero walang picture niya, pero nandoon sa beach volleyball ang [pangalan] niya na Grethcel Soltones,” Marilyn continued. “Tapos hinanap ko siya sa Facebook and doon nakita ko.”
Marilyn then prepared herself, hopeful that Gretchel hadn’t harbored ill feelings towards her, then turend to pray to the Black Nazarene.
“Nagdasal ako sa Nazareno na sana hindi siya galit sa akin kapag nagkita na kami. Kasi mahirap na galit siya sa akin na ipagsiksikan ko ang sarili ko na ayaw niya sa akin baka mapahiya naman ako,” she added. “Nagpasalamat ako na kahit wala ako sa tabi niya maganda ang buhay niya. Kasi hinanap niya ako kaya nagpakita ako para suporta na rin (sa kanya).”