Not many Filipino films hauntingly capture how a cause takes
root, draw people in & make them hopeful, only to find out its true cost at
the end.
In fact, mere association can get you into deep
trouble. From mentor to student, brother to brother, bystander to fighter, the
fires of one’s principles & beliefs can easily spread and take hold of
one’s actions. The film showed how a nation’s identity is formed, sometimes
incidentally, only to be later inflamed by brutality. History books simply wrote 3 priests faced execution after false accusations. But its portrayal on screen was so emotional,
it had me crying even after the credits rolled. Fr. Gomez, at the edge of his
life, could only entrust his fate to God. Fr. Zamora was too deep in his depression
for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Fr. Burgos, once passionate
fighting for his & other people’s rights amidst prejudice, was unnerved
with disbelief that justice has been denied from them for so little evidence.
Perhaps we can also relate more to the ones who escaped such
dire fate. Caught
on advocacies without truly knowing its weight, we eventually cave in to cowardice
when the going gets tough due to pressure, lack of money, maybe false hopes and
promises. After the film, I felt like I owe an apology for not being able to hold
the line for those who taught us to be good and true. I would like to
make it up this year with a bit more purposeful and
worthwhile activities, God willing.
Fun fact: I sent audition videos a little late for small
parts but if you noticed, it was a male dominated film & the closest female
role I can recall is that of the nun running to Fr. Gomez screaming in panic
that the police was here to arrest him ahahaha. Would still have taken that
role just because it’s a JesCom production.
Side Note: Theater thespian Cedrick Juan is haunting my
dreams.
“But if you tame me, it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life. I shall know the sound of a step that will be different from all the others. Other steps send me hurrying back underneath the ground. Yours will call me, like music, out of my burrow. And then look: you see the grain-fields down yonder? I do not eat bread. Wheat is of no use to me. The wheat fields have nothing to say to me. And that is sad. But you have hair that is the color of gold. Think how wonderful that will be when you have tamed me! The grain, which is also golden, will bring me back the thought of you. And I shall love to listen to the wind in the wheat . . ."
When you first arrived, I thought I was only going to show you around the city & stick to the business on hand. It turned out we’ll also be crossing cities in search of great sights, sounds, food & drinks. Thank you for your willingness & enthusiasm to get dragged to places we wanna go, squeeze into the small spaces of jeeps & tricycles, be patient to know what modeling is like, & try out any food we give you. The slightly guarded, sometimes crazy, often private self was suddenly sharing a little more than I usually do (your good taste in wine probably helped & tables turned on me when you asked the questions). Our height & now distance may be great but our hearts seem just right next to each other because we risked “taming” one another. And for that, the fox’s parting words rang true: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Enough of the tears now, because this is not goodbye but simply see you later! Enjoy your journey across the globe & let’s cherish this ride of our lives!
I remember panicking a bit in my high school English class when all my classmates have already gotten back their scored essay and I wasn’t called yet to retrieve my paper. I checked my bag to see if I tucked away the essay we were supposed to submit the other day. Instead, I pulled out my draft and read the first words I wrote – only to realize you were reading them aloud in class. It earned the top marks for that writing exercise and you thought it worthy to read it out to everyone. After reading it and calling my name to everyone’s surprise, I humbly came forward to receive my paper as the class applauded – I guess from then onwards, I earned the reputation for being a good writer and poet. This led to joining writing competitions and having side hustles that came useful throughout the years.
You see, more than encouraging us to read deeply into our books and sharpening our grammars and compositions, you gave me one thing I needed the most at that time – to believe in myself, especially that I could apparently do something so well. It took me out of the books I comforted myself with at a time a teen had to deal with the loneliness of having to adjust to another school and environment. Your notes of encouragement in our writing exercises coaxed out the words I had always wanted to say yet never had the chance to do so – until I had the confidence to write them down, your faith that I could do it, and the opportunity to represent others and their sentiments.
There were other fond memories as well that could attest to your kindness despite being the Prefect of Discipline. I came in late for school once (despite living just across the street, haha). Thus, I had to hang around your office (as every Isabelina who came in late or had the guts to flaunt too long ribbons and too long skirts). Luckily, I was not perennially late and I did not have to run around the campus as a sanction. I was back in class just after a few minutes chatting with you. Even when I was already in college and I was applying for a conference, I went back to my alma mater to ask if you could write an endorsement for me. Not only did you obliged my request – we also talked about love and how you never minded being single for so long yourself (“Kung wala, eh di wala!”). But then God had other plans and your husband ‘Ta Orbitz (who was my College Algebra Teacher and equally passionate in teaching like you) came along. These words of comfort and wisdom written on paper and etched in memories are still with me and to the rest of us who became your students.
In the same way that you have shared with us the gift of your presence, we pray and hope that these recollections shall also bring comfort to those who are very dear to you at this moment. I hope these words somehow gave a fitting tribute to your life as a grace that has blessed mine. Thank you so much Ma’am Linda! Dios Mabalos po!
A Eulogy for Fr. Angelo "Boboy" Silerio, SJ (24 March 1973 - 30 April 2019) during the Necrological Services on Saturday 4 May 2019 at the Christ the King Church, AdNU
It is an honor to be asked to speak about Fr. Boboy.
Allow me to reminisce more than a year that I have known him, working side by
side with him at the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) as a colleague before he was appointed as OIC Principal of the Junior High School and as a
friend.
2015 – Fr. Boboy was assigned for a brief period to
Ateneo de Naga University before being stationed somewhere else for a longer
period. Being in the HRMO then tasked with the Orientation Seminar (ORSEM) for
new employees, I told him, “Sayang Fr., madali lang stay ninyo dito” to which
he replied with a serious and timid smile, “Ay oo nga, sayang.” Lo and behold,
a few years later, he was reassigned back to Ateneo this time as the Leadership
Development and Succession Program or LDSP Officer at our office then later as
SHS Campus Minister as well. That is how I got to work closely with him,
assisting him in his training sessions while working in the same office along
with eleven more colleagues.
Like most Jesuits I know, I have heard or seen his own
peculiar characteristics. He like to fish. He likes to plant and do all sorts of
thing related to farming. He looks younger than his age but has ailments that
are that of an old man’s. Strangely enough, his ailments became one of the
things that led me to know him better because I got so sick just before he moved
in our office. When I came back from my sick leave, he gave me this
improvised crystal stress ball. It struck me how resourceful he can be, and how
he thoughtful he was to try and help me in his signature “little” ways.
If time and health had not been a challenge, I can hardly
think of a time he said “no” to people who asked for his help. “We do what we
can!” sabi niya nga. If he was in no capacity to aid them, he would consult
others or ask favors from friends on behalf of friends. When it comes to
counseling, he would try to grasp the situations his counselees would face. For
example: there was this time when we were busy preparing for his training and
he asked me about my opinion on a certain situation. He asked me, “Ms. Trish, kung idto nangyari saimo, anong
magiging reaction mo?” To which I candidly replied, “Well, depende po, Fr. Kasi po para sa mga lalake, dae man po yan big
deal. Pero siguro para sa kadaklan na babae, big deal po idto!” “Oh, talaga?” he answered back surprised
while scratching his bald head. Indeed we had a good laugh at such dilemmas. But
he truly takes into account people’s concerns, whether they are mundane or
complex, to be able to help. His simple yet genuine concern endears him to
others everywhere he goes.
One might be fooled into thinking that his calmness stems
from naivety on things that are happening around him. Actually, he knows, he
knows them too well. Magaling din siya sa
pakiramdaman. In fact, he listens to all sides of the story yet he does not
immediately casts the stone towards the erring side. I remember him saying that
indeed, words, when spoken harshly or haphazardly, can never be taken back.
When he airs his sentiments or when he does reprimand, he speaks with such
firmness you can’t help but be embarrassed.
He was not without a few funny words of course. He was
also a jester, occasionally filling in punch lines to jokes Kuya Lej may be
more comfortable telling. He likes to sing! He is also great with the kids.
Waiting patiently for them to kiss the Baby Jesus without fear. Carrying them
until they stop crying. Listening patiently to their baby talk. Bringing them
sweet treats. Coming up with baby names with significant meanings.
Apart from words, he is also mindful of caring for the
environment. He would not want to put anything to waste. He would recycle cups
that would serve as pots for his seedlings. He does not mind the inconvenience
as long as the practice was ecologically sustainable.
We had one of our lengthy conversations right before
March ended. He learned that I was leaving and chanced upon me when I was duty
in Pacol. So I told him of my reasons, the personal circumstances I faced and how
I came to my decisions. And of course, he also asked about me and my fellow
colleague’s love lives, ala-Boy Abunda style: He mentions a name (on the top of
his head, as he would describe it), and I would only air my take on them. Some
of you may probably be victims of his match making. Even when he was
recuperating at the Jesuit Infirmary, he was on the lookout for “referrals”. Thank
you, Fr., for continually praying for our future partners. May they be as kind
and loving as you are. In turn, we will also pray for more people to respond to
the priestly vocation.
Speaking of marriage and other sacraments, he was also
often invited to preside in funerals. Whenever we mention about superstitions
when we attend services like this, he would disregard them, saying that when his
time is up, it is up. Sa Diyoys tayo
manalig! I remember thinking how kind and holy this man was and what he was
saying was not far off. But Fr, I did not realize how soon this moment would
come.
But I also realized that indeed your life was a
testament of God’s love for people from all walks of life and for his creation.
I still remember him recounting the many instances people told him that they
love him (romantically). So I jokingly said, “Ikaw na Fr, ikaw na ang maraming
nagmamahal!” But I also told him that that is no surprise. As Fr. James Martin,
S.J. wrote in his book, “The more loving you are..the more likely it is that
others will fall in love with you.”
Let’s not lose this moment to tell our loved ones how
much we love them. Let’s not lose hope and faith in people and in the work that
Fr. Boboy has sown, because his true legacy shall only grow when we are able to
love others selflessly as he did.
In our fb conversation just last Sunday April 26, I
shared with him this song that kept on playing in my head that day: Huwag kang
Mangaba by the Himig Heswita. His reply was this: salamat sa prayers! magandang
kanta nga yan para sa mga dadaanan ng transitions sa buhay.
How I wish in the next chapters of our
lives you would still be there to accompany us. Your days were numbered but it
was multiplied by the people you have so ardently served. We lost a dear
friend, close confidant, and an ally in the pursuit of God’s mission. Farewell
our match-maker, our favourite Indian, a travel companion, our to-go-to priest and most of all, our
beloved friend. I bet the Lord will greet you at the gates of heaven with these
words: “Well done, my good and faithful servant and friend!”
Photos by Trish Arana, Myllan Toledana & Jerico Lejano
When exactly was the last time I saw you Scud? Was
it right after we watched Kapeng Barako Club or did I get to see you even for a
short while after you got sick? I can only remember thinking – why on earth
were you outside???? Weren't you supposed to be confined or something???? So I
sent you a message on facebook asking you kumusta?
and that it’s great to see you out. You replied you're doing good then but
that you’d be in the hospital again in a few days.
I forgot to insist that you wear a bubble suit like
the main character in the movie Bubble
Boy, since you had to be extra careful with your rather puzzling condition.
It was as if you’d be fine in no time, given that you were always on the go. At
the first night of your wake surrounded by your friends, I felt like you were
just around since we were talking animatedly about the things you would have
been interested in.
Meanwhile, your coffin was closed just as you
requested it. It is so typical of you, not to draw too much attention to
yourself. You'd rather passionately talk about your advocacies rather than be
the receiving end of all the concern your friends have for you or the praise
that people would shower you.
But allow us to remember you, Scud, this person we
have been with, since your life is closely entwined with what you'd rather
focus on, and thus yours is a story that needs to be told.
I still vividly recall years ago how we met in my
time at the Office of Student Affairs. Upon receiving an invitation to an Asian
forum for young leaders in such a short notice, I was tasked to immediately
seek and interview students who would be interested to join, preferably those
who had yet to experience attending such events. After posting a notice on
social media, someone gave me a buzz – it was Arcci, telling me both of you
were interested to join. Communicating by email, we set a schedule wherein I could
do a short interview with the two of you before we recommend your names to the
forum.
You used to cringe when I teased you about your
interview then. During the interviews, Arcci was candid, eloquent and a
pleasure to talk with about her reasons for joining during her interview. Then
it was your turn to be interviewed. You didn’t need to fret, Scud, since I
appreciated how you wanted to make up for the time you sort of wasted before going to college. The fact that
you were once an avid video gamer before did not hurt your chances to
qualify for the forum. =) Later, you would admit that you were extremely nervous
since it was the first time you tried joining a leadership seminar.
Eventually, I recommended both of you to the forum
and sent your names and contacts to the organizers so that they can communicate
with you. After some time, I excitedly asked whether they communicated you on
the preparations you need to make for the forum. Alas, you and Arcci sadly told
me that the forum wasn't pushing through.
“Awww,” I said pouting, “well, meron pa naman ibang
opportunities na dumadating dito sa amin.” I promised that I would notify you
the soonest possible if we see another invitation you guys may be able to join
around this time. I also mentioned that we have our own leadership program -
you and Arcci could probably join or volunteer if you really wanted to get the
best out of your time in college. Bot of you became excited about the opportunities that
could still come and asked about the activities we had in store.
Later, more countless opportunities would knock at
your door once more and would lead you to become what we would jokingly but
truthfully call you as a pride of Bicol (just had to put that in, Scud, no
matter how much you deny it). =)
Those other opportunities I "promised" you also included volunteer works for our leadership seminar workshops. Back then, I had needed staff facilitators for the Summer A-WILL and you and Arcci were very much willing to devote some time for the five day live-in seminar workshop. You even volunteered to do the printing of the shirts!
However, you had activities in church and school before and right after the workshop. With the seminar dates approaching, I was apprehensive whether you could really make it and thought you might want to rest, so I kept on asking whether you’d be sure to arrive. But true to your word, you and Arcci came just when the workshop began. Despite being late, God knows my relief since I needed all the extra hands we could get to run the event. When AWILL ended, you rushed to your next commitment without hesitation (and probably without much rest either).
You were always on the go, Scud. Maybe we had to
remind you of your eyebags just so you can take a break. Graduation was also approaching fast and you had
more and more work. You and Arcci could hardly drop by at the office anymore
but still promised to help out if you can.
Your prospects to make it as entrepreneurs
back then did not come easy either. While it looked fun and fulfilling managing
an enterprise, many times you constantly faced challenges. One time, you and
Arcci showed us a prototype of a mustard yellow backpack you've been developing
as your Income Generating Project. You were also wearing the same type of bag yourself. Made of
native materials, you guys gushed about where you got the fabrics, the nanays
in the community you've partnered with to make them, how it was made, as well
as constantly mentioning someone named Erwin. You made me promise to buy a bag
once it was ready for the market; I happen to be fond of native bags and was
looking for a native backpack. We could readily believe that your proposals would be easily accepted, given your enthusiasm and noble desire to help the nanays.
But it wasn’t and there were also many reasons to be discouraged. There were
days when you would drop by and just gave a huge sigh when asked how things
were going on with your IGP. You would just smile and say “kakayanin namin!”
for the nanays and I think that essentially made you tough and ready for
anything that could come your way, may it be in social entrepreneurship or your
life back and forth Manila-Bicol. The real world didn’t come after
graduation; the real world was right there, in the community which you sought
to help. It was not just a grade to complete; there was a need you couldn’t
refuse and a mission to heed.
Most millennials would have the crisis of not being
certain what to do next after graduation. I met up with you and Arcci for coffee
one time and asked about your plans when your schedules finally allowed. You had a clear vision in mind – work for
two years in the corporate world to gain experience but eventually come back to
Bicol. There was no question about it – you wanted to serve Bicol and give back
to the place that you called home. But even before those two years happened, you
still went back to Bicol almost every weekend. I guess you wouldn’t want to
wait to be where your heart has truly been in the first place. Now, you have
gone to the ultimate place you’ve really been preparing for – that place where our
Lord awaits us all.
We are trying to come into terms that you’re not
here with us anymore, Scud. But you have always placed your life in the hands
of God – so we will still follow your lead and trust that you are finally with
Him.
I can hardly imagine what your parents feel – no
words can express how deeply I feel for them. I can only say how eternally grateful
I am to your family for sharing their dear son and brother to us, for raising
such a person who would touch countless lives, mine included. We are one with them in praying to our Lord to embrace you now that you have come home.
Thank you for being such an inspiration not only to
our student but also to me, for the effort, help, even the Hillsong videos you gave me. Rest well, Mr. Kengkoy Scud, and leave the rest to
us in peace this time.
