MANILA, Philippines — Ligaya Piadoche-Cordova, the cook and manager of Heaven’s Taste Carinderia, a much-loved by students of the University of Santo Tomas, in Sampaloc, Manila, died at age 57, her family confirmed on Tuesday, March 7.
Cordova, known to her regular customers as Nanay Gay, “died peacefully in her sleep” at home, according to a statement released by her family on their official Facebook page.
“Gusto po naming pasalamatan ang mga taong nag-abot ng dasal at suporta sa aming pamilya habang pinagdaraan ang pagsubok na ito,” Cordova’s family wrote in their post.
[We would like to thank the people who offered prayers and support to our family during these difficult times.]
Her family added that they were surprised by the sudden passing of their beloved Nanay Gay.
“Nagsilbi siyang inspirasyon, gabay, at pangalawang ina sa nakararami. Alam namin na [nitong] mga huling araw ni Nanay ay ginawa niya ang mga bagay na ikinakatuwa niya, [at ‘yon ay ang] magluto,” they went on to say.
[She served as an inspiration, guidance, and second mother to many. We know that in our mom’s last days, she did everything she enjoyed doing, especially cooking.]
For the past 17 years, the Heaven’s Taste Carinderia, formerly known as “Heaven’s Touch Cuisine,” has been many a Thomasian’s home outside the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
Back in May 2021, Cordova had to close their family’s store on Asturias Street as the building where the carinderia was located had already been sold.
LOOK: After over 15 years, the Heaven's Touch Cuisine, Asturias in Sampaloc, Manila, a much-loved carinderia which has been many a Thomasian's home outside the University of Santo Tomas, will be dishing up their final orders this week and closing its doors for good. #BeAnINQUIRER pic.twitter.com/7UNvVN1IE6
— Be An INQUIRER (@BeAnINQUIRER) June 1, 2021
At the time, Cordova told the Inquirer in an interview that she was experiencing mixed emotions over the fate of her store — a place where she holds many fond memories with the students who frequented the place as it became their “tambayan” (hangout spot) outside the campus.
Last Feb. 9, a Thomasian named Tristan Joshua Dayao Ramiterre posted on Facebook photos of Nanay Gay and her newly-opened carinderia on V. Concepcion Street, inviting everyone to “spread the word so we can introduce [Nanay Gay] to our new Thomasian babies.”
A Heaven’s Touch on Earth
Nanay Gay appeared to be an angel in disguise who touched the lives of many students and customers who frequented her eatery when she was still alive.
Following the announcement of her death, condolences for Cordova’s family poured in on social media, particularly from the Thomasian community, expressing their sorrow and thanking Nanay Gay for the love and generosity she had shown them.
Ligaya “Nanay Gay” Piadoche-Cordova. (Photo from the Facebook page of Ligaya Piadoche-Cordova)
“Salamat sa pagiging Nanay sa amin nung college kami at salamat kasi sinusuportahan mo [ang] mga ipinaglalaban namin sa buhay. Salamat, lagi mo [kaming] binubusog,” UST alumna Tiffany Keam wrote in her post, accompanied by some screenshots of her past conversations with Cordova.
[Thank you for being our mom when we were in college, and thank you for supporting the things we fight for in life. Thank you for always making us full.]
“Alam ko [maraming marami] kang buhay na napaligaya. Bagay na bagay sa iyo [ang] pangalan mo, Nay (I know you have made a lot of people happy. Your name suits you well, Nay.) ‘Till we meet again,” Keam added.
Another UST alumna named Bianca left a heartwarming message for Cordova, calling the latter an “exceptional woman of grit, warmth, and kindness.”
“We love you, Nay. Ang daming nagmamahal sayo (You are loved by many.) […] I still owe you that graduation picture you’ve been asking for years. You are indeed a #HeavensTouch on earth. I will always be grateful [to] you,” she wrote.
A number of picture frames with graduation photos of Thomasian students who have been Nanay Gay’s frequent customers can be seen hanging on the wall of Heaven’s Taste Carinderia in Sampaloc, Manila. Image: Courtesy of Heaven’s Taste Carinderia/Facebook
“Nanay Gay was my mom in UST. She treated me like her real [child], and even on my graduation day in school, I made sure I would pass by Heaven’s Touch so she [could] see [that] I did it; and that she also played a hand in helping me and all her “children” to achieve that,” UST alumna Carmela Laxamana Go wrote in her post as she paid tribute to Cordova.
Cordova’s family wished everyone to pray for their beloved’s eternal peace.
More information will be released for those who wish to pay a visit to Cordova’s wake.
Meanwhile, the Heaven’s Taste Carinderia will be closed for the time being while the family mourns the loss of their beloved Nanay Gay.