Alicia, fondly called “Asha,” was born on April 7, 1936 in Madrid, Spain. The eldest in the family, Alicia had a happy and normal childhood, and in her youth, she enjoyed going out in the evening to dance and drink with her friends. At a certain moment, she came in contact with the Focolare: “It was a long time ago in Spain through a friend. This friend introduced the Movement to me, and I was immediately touched by its spirit because I discovered a new God… a God who is a Father, a God who is love and who is mercy, who loves me immensely with all my defects and shortcomings. This was what attracted me to the Movement. At once, I realized that I have to dedicate my life to return this love to Him, to God.”
Soon after, Alicia left for Loppiano (near Florence, Italy) in 1967, and after her formation there, she was sent to Australia to learn English to prepare her for her real destination which was the Philippines. She never truly mastered the English language as her conversations were an engaging mixture of English, Spanish, Italian, and later Tagalog! Nevertheless, Alicia was able to get her message through to children, teens, youth and adults of all vocations because her words mirrored her life.
A new adventure begins
She arrived in the Philippines in 1972. In an interview with New City, she vividly recalled her early experiences in the country. She recounts:
“It was sunny, the sky was blue, a very beautiful day! At the airport, many focolarinas came to welcome me. When I passed through Immigration, everybody was welcoming me in Spanish: ‘Bienvenida, Ma’am! Welcome, Ma’am!’ I didn’t feel any difference. For me, I immediately felt welcomed and at home.”
“… you can imagine for someone from Europe to come over here, your life is completely changed. So, for me, a new adventure started. When I arrived here, the first work I got was to be a ‘yaya’ (nanny). I was taking care of a small child from a rich family. After being a ‘yaya,’ I became a teacher at a university. Later on, I was transferred to Tagaytay… I was the first one to take charge of the Mariapolis Center. I did not know how to speak Tagalog and so, it was a completely new experience. There are many things that mark your life and remain in you forever. But I have to tell you that my life is here. I don’t feel different. I feel I am a Filipina. I came here from the very beginning, and I hope that I will die here in the Philippines, too.”
In fact, after 51 years among us, the most common phrase used to describe Alicia was: “She’s one of us!”
Here are just a few of countless testimonies from members of the Movement, sharing how their lives were touched and changed by Alicia’s personal love for them:
Seri Serrano, a Filipina focolarina: “Being one of the first focolarinas sent to the Philippines, she showed us that unity is possible despite the diversity of cultures. She immersed herself in us, and so, knew how to highlight the positive in our Filipino culture… At the same time, she would point out the negative, but in a very acceptable and humorous way, helping us understand where we could improve.”
Tess Ganzon, Volunteer: “Alicia was in charge of the Mariapolis Center for several years. We had the strangest combinations in our food at times. But Alicia bravely took on this task entrusted to her. It couldn’t have been easy to run the kitchen, let alone manage the workers, supplies, menus… but being the focolarina that she was, no one ever heard any tiredness or disappointment in our lack of enthusiasm, compliments or gratitude for her efforts. Asha, as we fondly called her, just kept on loving…
“Thank you, Asha, for having come, for having adopted our country, our people – US – as your children, your family. You shared our ups and downs as we were growing up – our frustrations, our disappointments… but also our joys and desires. Thank you for being that constant, loving, warm presence in the Cittadella (Mariapolis Peace) – ready to welcome old and young, friends, strangers – with that twinkle in your eyes and smile that lit up your face every time.”
Norma Cavalcanti, a Brazilian focolarina who was with Alicia in the early years of the Focolare in the Philippines, testifies to her zeal and detachment: “Alicia is a masterpiece in helping to bring ahead the Movement with such generosity, dedication and love, despite the difficulties one may find at the beginnings of the Movement in a zone. It always edified me to see how Alicia immediately did what was asked of her even though she was asked to sacrifice, but she did not burden anyone. Alicia had a gentleness, an insight that brought her immediately into action to help those in need. So many joyful, beautiful moments we experienced with her.”
Glimpses of Alicia’s journey in her own words
In an entry of her diary written on November 16, 1983, Alicia wrote: “Tagaytay must become Paradise. To ‘burn’ everything that can be seen: houses, people, the lake, nature, in order to show God who cannot be seen. Only by dying to myself will I be able to do this. Mary, only you can help me. Please lend me a hand.”
Alicia was very much aware of her own limitations and the defects in her character. In the same year, she wrote in her diary: “In Jesus Forsaken is everything. I must be nothing in order to reach the goal. This is why Jesus bombards me with his personal love so that I can reach the finish line. I asked God to give me a little more time in order to become a saint. I do it only for Him, for Chiara to be with her in this journey to sanctity. I ask God to give me more time to live for Him, to have the grace whether in suffering or in joy. It doesn’t matter as long as I can love Jesus. I must never get tired of overcoming my defects, of trying to improve and be more perfect until I can become another Mary. To deny myself interiorly and externally (to be more vigilant in living mortification); to accept, to make perfect, to purify my desire to live only FOR YOU.”
On December 7, 1986, she wrote to Chiara: “During our Mass, I rededicated myself, as I do every year, to God, but this time, I felt my soul bursting with joy, with a new joy, because Jesus still gave me life so that I could live this wonderful rule on earth, and fill the world with Mary’s presence, being another you.”
Life as an elderly focolarina
Years passed, and Alicia entered her 80s. But she was forever young! She continued to inspire and attract the younger generations and she also always remained elegant and well-dressed at all times.
Attim Caro, a Filipina focolarina and former co-director of Mariapolis Peace:
“… Having no particular task, Alicia was a concrete help in so many situations, also because she had been here in the Cittadella for more than 30 years. She knew all the history, the nooks and crannies, the workers of the Cittadella, and so she would help us in so many ways, plus she was always available to do anything that was asked of her. Indeed, she was a great gift. She continued to help give lessons on vocation to the focolarinas in formation, and also to the religious sisters who come to be formed in our collective spirituality… With her many years of focolare life, she said she always overcame every big or small trial by throwing herself into Jesus forsaken on the cross and with the help of others, and so she came out of these moments victorious. Always available and ready for anything, even when there were changes in programs, staying faithful to God’s will, she has been a great contribution to the life of Jesus in our midst.”
Her illness
In 2006, she was diagnosed with colon cancer and had to undergo an operation. She wrote to Chiara: “I wanted to communicate to you the joy of the arrival of the Spouse in a very special way. After days of uncertainty and careful examinations, I was informed that I have cancer. I have so much peace in my soul because I am sure that Jesus will take care of me, and I feel enveloped in His presence. Today, before entering the operating room, I want to give you my joy that I can offer my life for the whole Movement and for your intentions. I am happy to be with the Spouse, and I embrace you in Mary.”
Chiara’s reply followed: “It is His Love, Alicia! Continue to entrust yourself to Him and be serene. … Chiara is thanking you for this precious offering of yours. She reciprocates your embrace and is keeping Jesus in the midst with you.”
Himmel Palomino, a Filipina focolarina and co-director of Mariapolis Peace: “There were many things I learned from Asha. First was her refreshing love for life. I still remember the night before she underwent one of her major operations. She knew that she would undergo fasting for 8 hours before that. So we asked her what she wanted to eat and she said 2 big hamburgers! She was very excited and happy! For me, it was a lesson that we remain young as much as we live life to the full in the present. She was a person who enjoyed life! In her, the human and the divine were the same, they blended wonderfully.
“I had the privilege to stay beside her in her sicknesses. I cannot say that these instances were all smooth to navigate clinically. But Asha was very courageous. I assisted her in 3 of her operations. I would tell her that as a patient she was the primary decision-maker, and that I would support her decision, whatever it was, after explaining the options and the situation truthfully. She would tell me that she trusted in what I thought was best for her because Jesus was in our midst. Before entering the operating room, she would tell me: ‘If I don’t wake up anymore, don’t feel guilty because it means that this is the will of God for me.’ I felt that this kind of trust, one can only give to God. For Asha, staking her life on the words of a person was a responsibility for me, but it meant a transparency of living in front of Jesus, the way He would if He were in my place, if He were in our midst. Such trust, one can only learn from a spiritual mentor, and she was like that for me.”
Life in Casa Verde
Costanza Tan, a Filipina focolarina presently in charge of Casa Verde, shares: “Two years ago, Alicia came to Casa Verde to live together with us a new stage of her divine adventure. It was not easy for her to come because she was aware that it would mean a big change in her life. But she generously adhered to this new will of God and launched herself completely to love in every present moment despite various challenges. When she arrived, she had some physical limitations, but these did not hinder her from loving, from going out of herself to listen, and to allow the Jesus of the other to come out.
“Another characteristic that Alicia manifested, especially in the last period of her life, was her openness to the grace of God and to Jesus in our midst. During moments of sharing, she would gift us with her soul in joy, turmoil and doubt, but always with the desire to start again and do every step according to our collective spirituality.
“She has been a gift to us, offering always the profundity of her soul, with the love she has for each one, her concrete concern for the Movement, and her wonderful sense of humor.”
Homestretch to heaven
In 2022, Alicia fell and broke her hip. She had to undergo a risky operation given her age and medical condition, but Alicia was very determined to be able to walk again. In fact, after the successful operation and some physical therapy, she regained her mobility with the aid of a walker or a cane. From then on, her condition began to gradually decline. In July 2023, the medical exams confirmed that the cancer had recurred and had already spread. And so began Alicia’s ascent to her final encounter with Jesus.
Eni Oliveira, a Brazilian focolarina who has constantly been by her side, recounts: “In this last period, Alicia was always aware of the progression of her illness, and I can firmly say that she did all her part to accept all the medical procedures that she had to undergo and the restrictions in her diet. Alicia had a very strong character, and we were quite different: we had Jesus in our midst or not at all! So many times, we had to start again, but these are moments that I will never forget because they were precious moments of communion, of light, and profound reciprocal respect. God slowly asked her to give Him everything … He took everything away from her, and she allowed Him to do what he wanted. She lost all her physical strength and needed to be helped in everything! She who had always been a strong, independent and confident person. I can truly say that we journeyed together, and I saw the wonders that God did in her soul for which I am truly grateful. Being with Alicia was like being in a school of life.”
Costanza concludes: “Her love, humility and generosity have been manifested up to the last moment. When possible, she would greet those who came to visit her maybe just with a sound but surely coming from her heart. I remember the words of Chiara: “Let no one pass your way in vain.” Despite the great pain and discomfort, she has always helped the focolarinas in caring for her. She made things easier for us. She continuously loved up to the end.”
We thank God for having given to the Movement a masterpiece of love, faithfulness and unity that was Alicia. She truly was the personification of the Word of Life Chiara had given her: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5).
As told to New City
