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My name is Nikki Calma, many know me as Tita Aida. I work for the San Francisco Community Health Center formerly API Wellness in San Francisco, CA. I have been friends with Noel Talens Cervo since 1990. Noel and I have a very special friendship. I consider Noel to be a "younger brother" so to speak. Noel helps me tremendously when I have projects and events and support the agency(SFCHC) with its Joy luck club and other programs.
Noel passed away at age 47. He would have turned 48 on July 10. Posting news of someone's passing was not something that I thought I would have to do any time soon.
It's challenging for me to tell a story about Noel because I have known Noel for almost 27 years. In that amount of time, our friendship has grown and gone thru many fun times, funny situations and awkward moments and we shared so many things such as secrets and ideas that only really good friends do. As "Tita Aida," he supported me since the beginning, ac tually, after officially given the title of "Tita Aida", he was the very first friend I had who disclosed to me when he tested positive for HIV. At a tender age of 21, I knew then that Noel was going to be special and a tough one!
My time spent with Noel has been a great journey. Noel has looked up to me as an " older sister". Most of the time, we got along well and would see things eye to eye, there has been times where I would be that obnoxious older sister and give him some tough love. However, even at times when we disagree, he still would be so generous in giving his time to help me out with projects that I was working on. Always ready and willing, he would explore every option to help out in anything I was working on for the community. I believe this was his way being part of community.
We have too many precious, funny and unforgettable moments as friends to mention here. However, as his big sister, one thing that will always resonate in me when I think of Noel when he would be with me at events and gatherings is that he always protected me from anyone or any situation that he knows or feel could hurt me. He was more than a brother to me, more than a great friend to me he was always there for me all the time.
The last time I saw Noel was that Sunday of Pride weekend in SF. He usually join and helps out at the A&PI Pride Stage which I produce. He looked pale and weak, it wasn't the usual spark that I am familiar with. He had Pho, but without the any meats. He told me that his stomach was not holding down any solid foods. After his third sip of the broth, his face suddenly had color, his eyes brightened up and his hair poofed up, then he said to me , " Oh my God, that feels so good. " I told him that he should order another one to go, but he declined. After dinner, I took him home and that was the last time I saw him.
The morning I received that text from Nathan that read, " he passed". I became numb, disoriented and couldn't believe that he was gone. The day went thru high and low moments, almost everyone at San Francisco Community Health Center ( formerly API Wellness, the agency where he considered his 2nd home) was shocked and was having a hard time digesting this reality. I suddenly felt my heart break. I then realized Noel is really gone.
I knew that Noel didn't have that much. He lived on from check to check, and when his funds are gone he sometimes would just sleep. I was very happy that he was able to build that confidence to ask me to take him out to eat at certain restaurants and places that he likes. When we go to Target or to TJ Maxx, he would sneak in items that he wanted to buy but couldn't buy at that time, and I just included it in my entire purchase. I know that would make him happy.
After posting the news on FB, there were 166 comments and 352 reactions. This proves that he touched many of our lives. Noel gave a piece of himself to many, many people. He was appreciated, loved and embraced by many of his friends.
Noel left us and the world too soon and to many of us, we will miss his smile and smirks, his laughter, his innuendos, his jokes and all that is only "Noel."
All of Noel's family and relatives are in the Philippines and those who are here in the US aren't in a position to give Noel a proper memorial service. They conveyed that they thank all of his friends who care so much for him and to make the final arrangements for him.
Noel's remains is at the SF Morgue and will remain there for an autopsy and can stay there for around 10 days from today. Myself, staff members from SFCHC and a handful of Noel's closest friends are organizing to make all these final arrangements and give Noel the best and meaningful memorial ever.
We want to honor Noel's wishes to be cremated and have his ashes spread in the ocean.
But we need your support to make this happen. The funds raised thru this gofundme effort will be used for the following:
a. Cremation of Noel's remains.
b. A big memorial celebration of Noels's Life followed by a reception. Expenses: Rental of Venue plus Reception( caterer, A/V equipment, printing of materials)
( We know that there will be a big attendance that will show their love for Noel).
c. Charter a boat and spread his ashes in a cove under the Golden Gate Bridge.
d. Any remaining funds will be divided and given to the members of Joy Luck Club. Joy Luck Club is a HIV social support group at SFCHC that meets once a month for APIs living with HIV/AIDS.
Here's the breakdown of how the fund will be utilized:( This info was requested by gofundme to be published).
Cremation:
Service Fee- $ 180.00
Cremation- $ 680.00
Crematory Fee- $ 280.00
(Reference : City Cremation, www.citycremation.com)
Anticipated Misc Expenses: $ 200.00
TOTAL: $1,350.00
Reception:
Venue Rental- $ 4,000( TBD)
Caterer- $ 5,000
AV Rental: $ 3,000 Projectors, Sound, Lights, Videographer/ Photographer
Minister/Pastor: $500.00 donation to the Congregation they belong to.
Graphic Designer for Program Booklet: $ 500.00
Printing of Program Booklet & Prayer Card: $700.00
Decorations( Floral, rental of decors/columns/podium, etc): $ 1,000
Spreading of Ashes in the Ocean:
Atlantis Memorials-
Luxury 90 ft. Yacht "EMPRESS" $1850.00 to 100 guests
Lite Bites and Champagne Toast for guests: $1000.00
Minister: $ 300.00
Florals & Butterflies: $700.00
* The amounts that are quoted were driven from websites that offer these services & from researching local vendors).
Any left over funds will be bought with gift cards (Target/Grocery Outlet) and will be distributed to the members of the Joy Luck Club.
The funds is needed soon within the next ten days to make things happen faster. I will be taking the lead for this effort. I am also open to have anyone work with me on the financial part of this. All expenses will be recorded and available to everyone to review.
I hope you can join us uplift Noel's soul to the highest of the skies and celebrate his life!
With much love....
Tita Aida
PS: If you have any pictures of Noel, if you could kindly scan them and send it over to [email redacted] and we will curate it. Thank You! Thanks Henry!
Noel passed away at age 47. He would have turned 48 on July 10. Posting news of someone's passing was not something that I thought I would have to do any time soon.
It's challenging for me to tell a story about Noel because I have known Noel for almost 27 years. In that amount of time, our friendship has grown and gone thru many fun times, funny situations and awkward moments and we shared so many things such as secrets and ideas that only really good friends do. As "Tita Aida," he supported me since the beginning, ac tually, after officially given the title of "Tita Aida", he was the very first friend I had who disclosed to me when he tested positive for HIV. At a tender age of 21, I knew then that Noel was going to be special and a tough one!
My time spent with Noel has been a great journey. Noel has looked up to me as an " older sister". Most of the time, we got along well and would see things eye to eye, there has been times where I would be that obnoxious older sister and give him some tough love. However, even at times when we disagree, he still would be so generous in giving his time to help me out with projects that I was working on. Always ready and willing, he would explore every option to help out in anything I was working on for the community. I believe this was his way being part of community.
We have too many precious, funny and unforgettable moments as friends to mention here. However, as his big sister, one thing that will always resonate in me when I think of Noel when he would be with me at events and gatherings is that he always protected me from anyone or any situation that he knows or feel could hurt me. He was more than a brother to me, more than a great friend to me he was always there for me all the time.
The last time I saw Noel was that Sunday of Pride weekend in SF. He usually join and helps out at the A&PI Pride Stage which I produce. He looked pale and weak, it wasn't the usual spark that I am familiar with. He had Pho, but without the any meats. He told me that his stomach was not holding down any solid foods. After his third sip of the broth, his face suddenly had color, his eyes brightened up and his hair poofed up, then he said to me , " Oh my God, that feels so good. " I told him that he should order another one to go, but he declined. After dinner, I took him home and that was the last time I saw him.
The morning I received that text from Nathan that read, " he passed". I became numb, disoriented and couldn't believe that he was gone. The day went thru high and low moments, almost everyone at San Francisco Community Health Center ( formerly API Wellness, the agency where he considered his 2nd home) was shocked and was having a hard time digesting this reality. I suddenly felt my heart break. I then realized Noel is really gone.
I knew that Noel didn't have that much. He lived on from check to check, and when his funds are gone he sometimes would just sleep. I was very happy that he was able to build that confidence to ask me to take him out to eat at certain restaurants and places that he likes. When we go to Target or to TJ Maxx, he would sneak in items that he wanted to buy but couldn't buy at that time, and I just included it in my entire purchase. I know that would make him happy.
After posting the news on FB, there were 166 comments and 352 reactions. This proves that he touched many of our lives. Noel gave a piece of himself to many, many people. He was appreciated, loved and embraced by many of his friends.
Noel left us and the world too soon and to many of us, we will miss his smile and smirks, his laughter, his innuendos, his jokes and all that is only "Noel."
All of Noel's family and relatives are in the Philippines and those who are here in the US aren't in a position to give Noel a proper memorial service. They conveyed that they thank all of his friends who care so much for him and to make the final arrangements for him.
Noel's remains is at the SF Morgue and will remain there for an autopsy and can stay there for around 10 days from today. Myself, staff members from SFCHC and a handful of Noel's closest friends are organizing to make all these final arrangements and give Noel the best and meaningful memorial ever.
We want to honor Noel's wishes to be cremated and have his ashes spread in the ocean.
But we need your support to make this happen. The funds raised thru this gofundme effort will be used for the following:
a. Cremation of Noel's remains.
b. A big memorial celebration of Noels's Life followed by a reception. Expenses: Rental of Venue plus Reception( caterer, A/V equipment, printing of materials)
( We know that there will be a big attendance that will show their love for Noel).
c. Charter a boat and spread his ashes in a cove under the Golden Gate Bridge.
d. Any remaining funds will be divided and given to the members of Joy Luck Club. Joy Luck Club is a HIV social support group at SFCHC that meets once a month for APIs living with HIV/AIDS.
Here's the breakdown of how the fund will be utilized:( This info was requested by gofundme to be published).
Cremation:
Service Fee- $ 180.00
Cremation- $ 680.00
Crematory Fee- $ 280.00
(Reference : City Cremation, www.citycremation.com)
Anticipated Misc Expenses: $ 200.00
TOTAL: $1,350.00
Reception:
Venue Rental- $ 4,000( TBD)
Caterer- $ 5,000
AV Rental: $ 3,000 Projectors, Sound, Lights, Videographer/ Photographer
Minister/Pastor: $500.00 donation to the Congregation they belong to.
Graphic Designer for Program Booklet: $ 500.00
Printing of Program Booklet & Prayer Card: $700.00
Decorations( Floral, rental of decors/columns/podium, etc): $ 1,000
Spreading of Ashes in the Ocean:
Atlantis Memorials-
Luxury 90 ft. Yacht "EMPRESS" $1850.00 to 100 guests
Lite Bites and Champagne Toast for guests: $1000.00
Minister: $ 300.00
Florals & Butterflies: $700.00
* The amounts that are quoted were driven from websites that offer these services & from researching local vendors).
Any left over funds will be bought with gift cards (Target/Grocery Outlet) and will be distributed to the members of the Joy Luck Club.
The funds is needed soon within the next ten days to make things happen faster. I will be taking the lead for this effort. I am also open to have anyone work with me on the financial part of this. All expenses will be recorded and available to everyone to review.
I hope you can join us uplift Noel's soul to the highest of the skies and celebrate his life!
With much love....
Tita Aida
PS: If you have any pictures of Noel, if you could kindly scan them and send it over to [email redacted] and we will curate it. Thank You! Thanks Henry!
Organizer
