MikeLigalig.com

By Evelyn Macairan
The Philippine Star

For almost 40 years, Rene and Dulce Saguisag stood by each other through thick and thin, parctically inseparable. For their eldest son Rebo, it was ironic that his parents “could not even be together for one second, for one final glimpse.”

Rebo said this in his eulogy after the funeral Mass for his mother yesterday.

Dulce was laid to rest at the Garden of Reverence of the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City shortly before 1 p.m. yesterday.

Her children, friends and other relatives wept as her casket was blessed and sealed inside a chamber built five years ago.

White balloons were released after her burial as a final farewell.

The boogie dance tune “In the Mood” was also played as a tribute to how Dulce lived a happy life and how she liked ballroom dancing.

Rebo said he received information that the doctors at the Makati Medical Center (MMC) had already removed the respirator tube from his father.

However, despite this development, Rebo said it was too late because his father was no longer able to see his wife one last time.

Saguisag’s neurologist, Dr. Victor Alvarez, revealed that Saguisag asked to be allowed to attend his wife’s funeral but his request was turned down.

“He wanted to attend but we told him and the family that there is a minimum requirement that has to be satisfied before we can allow that to happen,” he said.

Rebo recalled that in 1987 his mother had to take on the role as the family’s breadwinner because their father was a senator and only earned P14,000. She supported him and protected him all those years.

“Mama and Papa are one. Papa is what he is largely because of Mama. Indeed behind every great man is a woman. And the way she said goodbye practically sums it all up. In her lifetime, she has always absorbed the pain and troubles and all negative energies so that Papa could be what he is. And in their final moment together, my Mama died so my Papa could live,” Rebo said.

He said, “I also regret the fact that my father could not join us here today. Imagine what the rest of the family had to go through, preparing for my mother’s burial while thinking of Papa’s health.”

The Saguisag family asked everyone to continue praying for Rene who is still recuperating.

Pat Bernad, the eldest sister of Dulce, said that the family had portions of the wake, the funeral Mass and burial videotaped and that they would let Rene watch it when “he is ready.”

She said that while relatives would be returning to their respective homes, some family members would stay behind to give strength and support to Dulce’s children. They would also take turns in visiting Rene at the hospital.

She also gave assurance that despite the tragedy that has befallen their family, they would still push through with the planned family reunion that was being arranged by Dulce before her death.

Former President Corazon Aquino said: “We will miss Dulce and I pray that Rene will get better soon. We thank Rene and Dulce for all they have done for the country.”

Former President Joseph Estrada, Vice President Noli de Castro and Speaker Jose de Venecia’s wife Gina were also at the funeral.

The former social welfare secretary died in a road accident last Nov. 8 after the vehicle that she and the former senator were riding in was rammed by a dump truck.

The Saguisag couple’s driver Philip Calvario and their dance instructor Imelda Obong were also hurt in the incident.

Eight days since the incident, Rebo still asked, “Why do bad things happen to good people? It is so unfair.”

But he takes comfort in knowing that while he cannot physically be with his mother, he knows that she is in heaven watching over them.

“I somehow find joy in the fact that the last thing she did was something she really loved, and with someone she loved the most,” he said.

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This is so sad, Ms Grazie.

 :'(

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