The Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, H.E. Archbishop Charles John Brown, led in the concelebration of a High Mass during the commemoration of the birth centenary of Rustan's founder, Gliceria R. Tantoco, at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Makati.

Along with Archbishop Brown, Fr. Moises Ciego, Fr. Tito Caluag, Fr. Moises Ciegi, Fr. Roy Bellen and Fr. Eric Castro celebrated the High Mass attended by the members of the Tantoco family led by Bienvenido "Rico" Tantoco Jr. and his wife Marina, retired and current executives and employees of the Rustan Group of Companies, and family friends.

That no less than a High Mass marked the commemoration of the 100th birth anniversary of the Rustan's founder, according to an Archdiocesan spokesperson, "is a manifestation of the acknowledgment of the Holy See of the contribution of the late Mrs. Glecy Tantoco to the good works of the Catholic Church, for which, she had been decorated by Pope John Paul II with the Medal of Cross Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice."

On her part, Zenaida R. Tantoco, who spearheaded the planning and implementation of the memorial Mass and the year-round commemoration of her mother's birth centenary, said, "My mother Glecy performed a key role during the tenure of my father as the Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See, both as a devoted wife and as an ambassador's lady who served as an official hostess in embassy receptions.

"She also welcomed dignitaries and high-ranking prelates, Filipino priests and nuns, and overseas Filipino workers to the ambassador's residence."

In his homily, Archbishop Brown quoted from Rico Tantoco his pronouncement about his mother possessing in her lifetime the positive and inspiring traits of "humility, prayerfulness and ability to overcome difficulties through faith. That came to Glecy because of her Catholic formation. It was part of her DNA as a Catholic woman of that generation, something we all admire and really try to emulate in our own lives.

"And those three characteristics are beautifully represented in the Gospel we heard this morning, of the angel appearing before Mary during the Annunciation," Archbishop Brown said.

Fr. Tito Caluag, who met the couple Benny and Glecy Tantoco 43 years ago, spoke of Glecy's three devotions, namely  "to God, her family and to her vision of Rustan's."

"Of course," he said, "when no one thought of giving world-class lifestyle items to the Filipino she brought in these beautiful things for discriminating consumers to enjoy."

Glecy's eldest grandson Donnie recalled of her as someone "who worked hard not only because she had discipline but also a purpose, which was to consistently and absolutely elevate the lives of the men and women who worked for her."

Finally, Rico shared, "My mother's life was a love story. Everything in her life was all about love. Her love for her husband, her love for her children and her love for everybody else. That's why even Rustan's is actually a love story. And that was the driving force of her life and her career."