At about 6:30PM yesterday, March 17, outgoing President Fr. Bernardo R. Collera, SVD officiated a Mass for her and her family at Chapel 1 in Marikina's Loyola Memorial Park. Present were some of the PACERS Board Officers including current Chair Dr. Julian Montano, and Vice-Chair Susan Estanislao, current President-elect Dr. Leo Capeding. Lifetime PACERS members and past PACERS Board Officers Drs. Rose Clemena, Carmen Pabiton and Benny Lascano were also there to condole with the family that has generously shared us Dr. Ruiz. Yes, current CDAP President Dr. Concepcion of the Ateneo de Manila University was also with us at the Mass.
Dr. Julian Montano thanked the family during a shared homily at the Mass. He remembered Dr. Naomi as being the Chair of the Department who welcomed him when he entered DLSU way back 1996. He particularly cherishes Dr. Naomi's solemn countenance of giving each person who comes to her for even only a few minutes that personal touch of a Counselor. Dr. Rose Clemena also gave an interesting history of their relationship, and her experiences with Dr. Nao. Dr. Rose recounted that when she was about to become the Dean of the College of Education in DLSU way back 1992, she invited Dr. Nao who was retiring then from the Ateneo de Manila to Chair the Counseling & Educational Psychology Department (CEPD). Dr. Nao immediately obliged, and silently took on her new work with such unique manners. Dr. Rose remembered Dr. Nao as the "swinging grandma" because she was fun at the dance floor. Whenever the two went for shopping, Dr. Nao usually needed someone to help her carry the bags containing personalized gifts for each and everyone in her family, husband, children and grandchildren, as well as colleagues and even companions at the Office.
For my part, I shared that Dr. Naomi Ruiz was also the Chair in 1995 when I entered DLSU. She would later become my Counseling Techniques I professor who introduced me the idea of a Counseling Philosophy, a requirement in the course that was to be followed up in Counseling Techniques II under Dr. Rose. Then she again became my Family Therapy and Counseling Consultation (courses of subjects she taught me in class) professor. I specially remember her for sharing her own personal experience of Divine Providence. She once told us in class that whenever she had a child, she had a promotion in her job, God as if telling her that each child was not simply hers and her husband's but also God's own. If not for Dr. Ruiz, I would not have been able to complete my six generation Genogram or Family Tree. This latter requirement costed me an INC after the term I was in her class, because I needed a longer time to complete that Family Tree that gave me the chance to know my own family. She was also the one who invited me to join PACERS during its 1996 Annual Convention held at the Robinson's Galleria in Ortigas, Pasig. The theme then was Megatrends in Counseling.
Thanks indeed, Dr. Naomi Ruiz. When you reach heaven and see the Father, tell her to bless us everyday, and pray for us in all that we do.
Half an hour after the Mass, Dr. Susie Eala, current PACERS Corporate Secretary arrived straight from San Pablo, Laguna. Then, current PGCA Board Officers arrived, including Dr. Rose Llanes, current President, Malou Chavez, current PGCA Secretary, and Dr. Perlie Polestico. Dr. Abiva and her husband and son also arrived. A second Mass was offered at some minutes past 8PM.
Dr. Naomi Ruiz is survived by her husband Boy, and her seven children and over a dozen granchildren and one greatgrandchild. Let's pray for her eternal repose, and most especially for her family who are in their grieving moments now, particularly her own beloved husband, Engr. Boy Ruiz.
Thank you indeed, Dr. Naomi Ruiz. You have made me look at Counseling as a profession worth my life and time and being as you showed me how it is to be a good one. God bless you and your family. Pray for us.
