Dear Friends and Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of my beloved mother, Romegilda, known as Gilda to those who loved her, passing last week, 20th of March, 2025. She was a kind, loving, and generous soul, and her gentle heart touched everyone who knew her. I came back to Rome to care for her, but despite her brave fight against complications, she has now found peace.

Sadly, we are struggling to cover the costs of her funeral here in Italy. This has been an incredibly tough period for our family, marked by an unfortunate series of events. Last year, we faced a devastating fire that destroyed our home, but thanks to the support of this amazing community, we managed to rebuild. We also received help during beloved dog Rufus' emergency surgery, for which I am eternally grateful.

Compounding our difficulties, I lost my job the day before my mother passed due to the complications of my absence while caring for her. My savings have been depleted from recent emergencies, and now we are in need of help.

In addition to these challenges, we have been trying to navigate the bureaucracy involved in repatriating her remains. We’ve reached out to the Filipino consulate for assistance, but it has proven to be a slow process, and we are facing long waiting times for a response.

My mother had expressed a wish to be buried in their hometown in the Philippines, alongside my late father, and my siblings and I want to honor that. We are seeking support to help us bring our mother home and cover the funeral costs.

The funds raised will go towards:

-Travel fees for repatriation

-Additional funeral service expenses

-Support during our recovery

Your solidarity means the world to us. Thank you for your continuous support through our struggles. We deeply appreciate any help you can offer during this challenging time.

With heartfelt gratitude,

John, Jianine, and Ryan Castillo