Purisima “Manang” Rentosa. Facebook.com/ateneodemanila

MANILA – Members of the Ateneo de Manila University community are mourning the death of Purisima Rentosa, the woman behind the school’s iconic eatery Manang’s.

Rentosa, or Manang as she is fondly called, passed away on Monday, November 6. She was 81 years old.

In a statement released on Facebook on Tuesday, Ateneo expressed sadness over the “death of an institution.”

“Please pray for the grace of consolation for the bereaved family of Manang at this difficult time,” the statement read.

Rentosa’s body will be available for viewing starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.

The funeral mass is set at 9 a.m. on November 11, followed by cremation and inurnment.

Manang’s, which opened in 1990 beside the Ateneo covered courts, is known for serving grilled liempo and other Filipino favorites like pork chop, lechon kawali, lumpia, adobo, and sinigang.

The eatery was closed last July 3 to the surprise of students and alumni, with Ateneo citing Rentosa’s health problems.

“Manang’s health has not been as robust as she wishes it could be and they (her family) have decided that perhaps it is best to follow their original plan to enjoy as many years as possible in retirement,” Ateneo said at the time.

