Jesse Robredo: a man for all times!

A good man never dies; he lives forever in the memory of our hearts!

Today, the 28th of August 2012, is the last day that we hold on to whatever remains of his mortal body before he finally goes home to the Father.

Here was a man who lived his life to the full, a loving and caring family man, serving his hometown and later the nation with great vision and commitment yet always with humility and respect for all. He was a loving husband and caring father to his children, a humble public servant to his constituents, a good friend to those whose lives he touched in his long years of public service. And in all these he remained focused to the very Source of his being and goodness, our Lord and God. Because his family testified that he was a Godly man. And that seemed to be the secret of his greatness.

I had no personal encounter with Jesse, even when we both are from the Bicol Region. And there was no need for that.  Because a man who touched the hearts of people who needed him most, also lives in the hearts of all people of good will.

Now our Jesse has done with his earthly journey ahead of us. We need to let him go. Because we know he is home with the Father. Even so, our heart bleeds with tears when we realize that he is gone forever from our midst. Jesse was a great and honorable man, in life and in death. The overflowing of love and sympathies as you complete your life's journey, though completely unexpected, are testimonies of your greatness.

Goodbye our dear Jesse, our model of public servant and one who literally tried to walk the "matuwid na daan" of good governance in both his private life and public life. Go home with our Creator. Make heaven lively with your presence there. So that in the joys of the angels and the saints, you may continue to be our faithful and humble servant and intercessor to the Lord for all of us still left behind in this world. Our dear Jesse, Diyos mabalos po!

And so, Lord, thank You for the gift of Jesse. Receive him in your kingdom as we commend his spirit to Your mercy. Grant strength to his family and relatives to accept his untimely demise with surrender, as they do. And finally, please confirm Jesse's appointment as "Citizen of Heaven" for all eternity.

Because in all these, O Lord, Your will be always done!

Deo Optimo Maximo!