The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 25, 2013 | 12 Mother always told daughters she loved them continued from p.5 "I always fought with her. I kept asking her, `Why go to other places when you can be here?' I was jealous of my friends. They get picked up by their moms. But me, no. I'm just with my nanny. When it's graduation time or programs at school, dad was only there, but not my mom," Lean said. Maricon would travel back home in December, which is when Saniel's birthday falls. "Since I was two years old, she hadn't appeared at a single birthday that I had," Lean said. "That's why I'm kind of jealous, she attends all my sister's birthdays." Lean also argued with her mother over their living arrangements. After Maricon and her husband separated, the girls lived with relatives. The siblings were told, it was done to better their future. Lean would argue the future was not as important as the present. "That's one of my biggest regrets because I don't obey her. Time was very important and I didn't spend more time with her," she said tearfully. The girls weren't told of their mother's illness in the beginning. But, when they hadn't heard from her in weeks, they began asking questions. They also heard murmurs at home about someone being in hospital. Eventually, Lean was told and later, Saniel. "My sister was the last one to know because we didn't want her to know. When she actually knew my mom was in the hospital, then she wasn't OK. She cried for days," Lean said. "When Jodie sent us the picture on Skype, I really didn't want to see it. I really don't want to see my mom lying in bed like that." The Gilberts have been working hard to ensure Maricon's dream of providing for her daughters lives on. They have started a fundraising campaign to help pay for the girls to continue attending school. They also collected enough Aeroplan Miles to fly the girls and a chaperone to Oakville to see their mother before she dies. The Gilberts have already received enough donations to pay for the girls' flight to and from Canada and there has been a tremendous outpouring of support from the community, especially the local Filipino community. The Gilberts said local residents have gone to the hospital and prayed over Maricon and supported the fundraising. Local Filipinos have also done their best to be there for the girls and local organizations have contributed financially or with their services. For example, Glen Oaks Memorial Gardens funeral home and crematorium PATIO SUPER SAVE ON ALL IN STOCK PATIO FURNITURE EBEL AVIGNON COLLECTION DEEP SEAT CASUAL OR DINING SALE LLOYD FLANDERS GRAND TRAVERSE COLLECTION SAVE 50% EBEL LAURENT COLLECTION TK DEEP SEAT OR SECTIONAL SAVE 50% LLOYD FLANDERS CONTEMPO COLLECTION CASUAL DEEP SEAT OR SECTIONAL DEEP SEAT OR DINING SAVE 50% EBEL MESSINA COLLECTION DEEP SEAT OR DINING SAVE 50% OW LEE MONTERRA OR VISTA DEEP SEAT SPACING CHAIRS has offered its services to the family. "The support is phenomenal," Jodie said. "I think people are contributing because who isn't touched by a story of sacrifice where kids are involved," said Eli. "It's a story everybody can relate to. They may not understand, but if you're a parent, you can relate." "We feel overwhelmed with all the people helping us, the people who care for our mom. We don't know them personally, but they keep on going to the hospital, visiting her, that's a good thing," Lean said. They also intend to keep their mother proud of them. "I would say I will try my best to be at the top of our class because that's what she always wanted," Lean said. "My mom always tells me, `I love you, both of you, very much because you're the most important things in my life.'" Earlier this week, Citizenship and Immigration officials granted Maricon permanent residency status while she lay in the hospital bed. People can contribute to the fundraising efforts for Maricon's daughters -- through the Aeroplan Charitable Pooling Account, account number 771296605, or online at http://beyondmiles.aeroplan.com/eng/charity/360. Financial contributions can be made to a trust account at the Bank of Montreal. The Bank number is 001, Branch: 2472, Account: 897-8219. Interac and E-Transfers can be done by e-mail at maricontrust@icloud.com. TK SAVE 50% CABANA COAST LOUVRE COLLECTION DEEP SEAT OR SECTIONAL SAVE 40% CABANA COAST HAVEN COLLECTION DEEP SEAT OR SECTIONAL TK TK SAVE 40% · Hammocks and Stands........Save 30% · Patio Heaters ...................sale from $229 · 3 pc Bistro Sets.................. Save 30% SAVE 40% · Acrylic Tablewear....... Save 30% Glasses/ Plates/ Placemats · Fire Pots assorted..... Save 30% · Ow Lee Firepits.... Save UP TO 40% QEW 3RD LINE BRONTE *SAVINGS ARE FROM MSRP. *SALE IN EFFECT UNTIL MAY 31ST OR WHILE QUANTITIES LAST. 1318 SPEERS RD. OAKVILLE www.oakvillehomeleisure.ca Sale Prices on NEW purchases only. VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT X STORE HOURS: Monday - Wednesday 9-6, Thursday 9-8pm, Friday/Saturday 9-6, Sunday 10-5 4TH LINE DORVAL 905.847.8551 SPEERS RD.