In 1965, Lilia immigrated to Canada, from the Philippines with $100 in her wallet and a one way ticket to Toronto. Three years after, she found herself teaching high school in Chatham, a small agricultural town in Southern Ontario.   Soon she received wedding invitations from her friends in Toronto that made her feel left out. She met Ron, an engineering student who seemed to have a promising future. She accepted his proposal thinking that he was a good catch—better than her friends’ husbands. Shortly after their wedding, Lilia realized that she made a mistake. Her husband was the worst among her friends' better-halves—he was a philanderer, an abuser, and could not keep a job.   When Ron learned that she had hired a divorce lawyer, he kidnapped their three year-old daughter Louise. After three years of heartbreaking search Lilia discovered that both Ron and Louise were in Sri Lanka. She made up her mind that her daughter's life was worth risking everything she had, including her own life. She traveled to Sri Lanka to see Ron and her daughter. There Lilia realized that she could not be with Louise without reconciling with Ron. She decided to live in hell in order to rear and protect her.   One tumultuous event after another did not discourage Lilia from her purpose; not even when Ron used Louise’s name to commit fraud. Louise was turning 20 at that time and a third year university student. But for without Lilia’s unwavering faith, strength, and willpower, Louise could have been incarcerated for this despicable act.     God’s grace and Lilia’s faith gave this story a happy ending. Lilia is now retired and happily married to Mati Rahman and both are living in Maui. Louise has a rewarding career with one of the well-known computer companies in the U.S.   Presently, Lilia is an advocate of the Women Helping Women organization that helps and support domestically abused women in Hawaii. She is also a part time chaplain at the Maui Memorial Medical Center, Court Interpreter and an active member of the Ala Lani United Methodist Church.   Lilia often travels to the mainland to speak about "Emotional and Mental Domestic Abuse" to various groups and churches.  

Lilia has an MA in Clinical Psychology, Masters in Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion, and Doctorate in Ministry from United Theological Seminary.

An ordained member of the clergy of the United Methodist Church, she served churches in California and Nevada. She is also a certified Spiritual Director, Court Interpreter, and a Guardian Ad Litem in Hawaii.