Think about it
The send-off
By Jun Velasco
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,”– Philippians 1:21
OUR dear colleague and friend Behn Fer Hortaleza, 64, was given a memorable send-off last June 10 at his residence in Pogo Grande in Dagupan City.
Rhee, Behn’s older brother, spiced his emceeing to subdue the melancholia that gripped the family and visitors. Memories, we know, have their unique place in everyone’s hearts.
We recalled our days at the press club, National Media Production Center and other news centers like the Punch. Behn, we said, was one of our finest pen pushers hereabouts. No less than ASNA awardee on literature Sonny Villafania couldn’t help describing Behn’s writing as nothing short of literary.
In our eulogy, we asked Behn to get in touch and extend our regards to former colleagues who “have gone ahead”—Ermin Garcia Sr., Bayardo Estrada, Joe Fermill, Gerry Garcia, Manny Cornel, Phillip Landingin, and several others.
By dint of heavenly act, it suddenly rained when we were dropping these names.
To loving wife Merla, and children led by Venus, brother Rhee and sisters and relatives, our prayers and Father’s Day greetings to Behn. May he rest in peace.
* * * *
At the Freedom Day rites program at the Stadia, we were impressed by the big crowd even amid a storm.
It reflected the executive committee’s detailed preparations and the participants’ never-say-die attitude. The songs and cultural number provided by the city schools’ District I under Supervisor Isabelita Daroya were impressive.
Congrats, Supt. Gloria Torres and Mayor Belen Fernandez.
We expect a similar brand of excellence at the National Hero Jose Rizal’s birthday celebration on June 19, with our fraternity brod and former Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Lamberto Nanquil as guest speaker.
A walking encyclopedia on Rizaliana, Bert will also guest at our Fire Player Gonzalo Duque’s Serbisyong Bayan at 4p.m. on same day.
* * * *
NOTES: Risk of the industry.
We found ourselves at the Pasig RTC in the sala of Judge Rolando Mislang on Wednesday June 11 in connection with a libel suit filed by Ambassador Antonio Cabangon Chua involving a news article in a newspaper produced and circulated in Pangasinan.
Well, the event tightened further the closeness of the Punch staff who had to travel more than 200 kilometers at the behest of the court….
Sherwin Sy, son of Alfon and Lilia Sy and Millet Rillera, daughter of Melchor and Marivic Rillera, will exchange I-do’s today at the St. Therese’s Parish at 1:15 p.m. today…. Best wishes!
The Papal Award Pro Ecclesia ET Pontifice will be conferred on our most highly esteemed scholarly educator-University of Luzon Vice President Aurora S. Reyna by Arch. Socrates Villegas on June 24 at the St. John the Evangelist Church at 4p.m.
Congratulations!
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
