By S. S. Suarez
It’s All Soul’s Day on November 2 but I could not wait to visit the resting place of my parents in Antipolo City in the province of Rizal. Not that we only visit my parents during All Souls’ Day. In fact, my brother and I (there are only two of us) always make it a point to pay our respect to our parents on special occasions such as their birthdays, death anniversaries and even their wedding anniversary which falls on July 4, 1971. We also retain a regular cleaner and groundkeeper to maintain the upkeep of their memorial place.
Born on October 12, 1946, my mom was from Goa, Camarines Sur in the Bicol province. I inherited my like for spicy foods from her side. The eldest of a brood of twelve children, my mom, I would say, was a success story. Poverty in then 5th class municipaltiy was not an excuse for her to stop her from pursuing her dreams. Just finishing second hear high school, Lydwin or Lydia as she is called was well-traveled. She went around Asia and Europe as tourist. Before the Big C, she was even planning a trip to the Holy City. The good Lord gifted her a full life in her 61 years of existence until she passed away in 2008. Two years later, my father followed her to the eternal place. He was 71.
In commemoration of All Souls’ Day, I’m sharing my eulogy for my father. Not that I was not close to my mom. It’s just that I wasn’t the one who wrote the eulogy for my mother. It was my daughter who delivered the eulogy for her “lola”.
Here’s an excerpt from that eulogy:
“I inherited your love for books especially legal thrillers. I became a Perry Mason and John Grisham fan because of you. In return, I introduced you to Dan Brown and Steve Berry for their controversial mystery books that touched the religious thriller genre. Your voracious appetite for books led to your collection of cheap books from Book Sale and Reader’s Digest that remain untouched to this day while some were already washed away by Ondoy.
In your heyday as a journalist, you were well-travelled having survived the Korean War as a correspondent. On the side, you also enjoyed the sights of Europe, Asia and the Americas, and you shared that experience later on with Nanay. As a child, I could not wait for your homecoming to hear your stories and experiences abroad.
I’m an admirer of your Gung-ho attitude. Your struggling years as a working student were always a source of inspiration to me. You were a welder which explained for your weak lung, a janitor and copy boy for Manila Bulletin. In your early years, you juggled work and law study to pursue your dreams. But your passion for writing was a calling that was hard to resist. As Benny and I used to joke, you churned out words that transform your subjects into demigods. Politicians, the men-in-uniform and the men-in-robes alike have always approached you, seeking help to rebuild their image. Through your words, the ugliest became the fairest of them all. The bad became the virtuous of them all.
We always debated on many issues especially about politics. We were always on the opposite sides. We never agreed on the same presidential candidate until this coming (2010) election. That’s why I asked myself, what’s wrong if we follow our parent’s legacy? What’s wrong if we uphold their values, their wisdom, their honesty and respect to the littlest of them all?
As we grew older, we learned to understand and accept the fact why you chose to work even during holidays. You did not want to miss out the most important story for the day. Despite the presence of young breed of reporters, you still outsmart the greenhorns with scoops and stories that even the most nosey reporter had failed to discover. With the election fever taking on a high note, your byline tattooed the front pages of Manila Bulletin for almost everyday. It was probably your last hurrah. Till death, you did not want to miss a scoop.
You never imposed your will on us. You wanted us to take up law but Benny and I chose a different path. Thank you for not castigating us. When I shifted career from journalism to logistics and safety engineering, you did not say a word. You were always there to listen. Your only advice was “In whatever you do, always strive for excellence.” To this day, I always carry those brave words, an advice which I always share with Ima, my staff and colleagues.
You were good to almost everyone as you always saw the good in others. Till the time your health deteriorated, you were the Santa Claus every Christmas. To us your children, you were a good father and the best provider. You were never selfish, but most of the times to a fault – to a point that you already forgot to leave something for yourself in your old age. Perhaps that was your way to live life to the fullest. You lived simply and never proud about your stature. You could have taken advantage of your rubbing elbows with the rich and famous, but you chose the road less travelled. You distanced yourself from controversies and libelous stories by sticking only to the facts.
When you were suffering, you tried to put up a brave face amid the pain. But you were always like that - you were not the type who complains nor bother us your children. When things started to fall apart for you because of Ondoy, you never lose hope. When you lost your desk and computer in Manila Bulletin under a new management, you did not complain. Amid the painful thought of just borrowing computers to write your stories, you kept on writing. You kept that burning positive outlook in life. Till the end, you tried to defy Father Time with an ala Houdini escape act from death. Your spirit was willing, but your flesh was already weak. You never complained about your sickness till your last breath, always looking forward to your recovery. But it was your time to go Tatay. It was time to join Nanay who went ahead and help prepared a place for you in the afterlife. It was your time to join our Creator and Beloved Jesus Christ. Rise up to the high heavens for you deserve to be there. Don’t worry about us your children. We will be okay. It’s now our time to continue the good legacy of our parents. “
