Ducky said, “We die twice: first, when our bodies stopped and then, when our stories about us stopped being told.” (from the TV Series NCIS)

By Blue Lomeda

We are gathered here tonight to remember a man and let our memory of him live forward in the generations to come. Wawa’s heart stopped at 7:01 in the morning, at his home, with love ones around him, on the 15th of August 2024, a Thursday, exactly on the feast of the solemnity of the Assumption to heaven of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It means: the Blessed Mother is fetching Wawa and bringing him with Her to his final resting place, where there is no more pain, hatred and hunger. Then, finally, to be reunited with Mama and Papa.

Immediately after the news came out that Wawa is gone, Ariel texted us, in our Chat Group: “Amen! Salamat po! Amen!” 

My brother died of lingering illness of Cirrhosis of the liver. Prior to his demise, his existence was only being sustained by regular dialysis arranged by his nephew, Victor (Dakulang salamat saimo Tonton). Wawa’s situation was aggravated by his depression when a business promise failed to materialize. Nevertheless, his friends and classmates  from Ateneo kept his hopes alive, by visiting him (Dios mabalos tabi saindong mga classmates ni Wawa! Sa gabos na nagta-o ning tabang: financial man o morale support. Salamat na marhay!)

I am Blue, the youngest sister of Wawa. There are only three of us, with my sister Tangtang (So, ngonyan duwa na lang kami). I am now based in Canada with my husband Rey and children Red and Goldie (may sarong aki ako, nagpawalat dyan – si Kevin na Philippine Navy Pilot). So, my sister Tangtang was left all alone to look after our brother, who is living with Dharen and teenage son Gerard – thank you for your love and care. Tangtang is always there at your side, my big brother, Wawa. She gives you all the things you need even before you ask, the sumptuous food that is healthy for your recovery. You are always the first priority in her busy schedule. Tangtang calls me up every morning in Vancouver to talk about you for hours – giving me updates. I came home to Naga with Rey on July 30 directly after arriving Vancouver. I am very happy to see you, hug you, kiss you – spending the whole day together, watching you sleep. This is before the scheduled family reunion of the Davids in Pampanga, where our roots came from, with all our relatives from Mama’s side, coming from all over the world. We intend to bring and let you attend sana but your receding health situation did not cooperate.

Wawa is not just my big brother but a father-figure to me, after my father was felled by bullets of an assassin at San Fernando, during my 11^th birthday, infront of me. My brother assumed as the man of the house. He was my mother’s favorite child, a mama’s boy. Wawa was unselfish and always concerned about family, he was a person with a cause. He was sensitive and he abhorred injustice of any kind. Security is always in his mind. Extremely perceptive, he could size up a situation (or a person) very quickly. His love-life was very important to him, but also his one-on-one friendships. He had a strong presence and heaps of personal magnetism – qualities that help him immensely towards success.

He is a good father, loved by his children (chronologically arranged): Wawel, Kriegger, Coloy, Takai, Patoy, Kookai, Ina, Openg and Gerard – nine in all. He is a doting grandfather to his grandchildren (alphabetically arranged): Ada, Chloe, Cloud, Kevin, Klash, Nikai, Sky, Tala, Tavish, Thor, Tia and Wawyn – 12 all in all. He has one dying wish, however, that the family be together always as one, during gatherings! He desired Ariel and Wawel to reconcile and settle their differences . . . Wawa kept on repeating this for almost a decade now but failed always. He is surely sad that he was not able to accomplish this in his lifetime. I join my brother Wawa in this noble intention; I am praying deeply that the Verdadero-Gumabon-Lomeda becomes one big happy family again that Neil dreamt in his kindergarten days (while his other classmates said, they wanted to be doctors, soldiers or priest when they grow up; but Neil always wanted to have a happy family) … after this funeral.

Though his body stopped, I know his stories will continue to live on in our hearts. I love you very much Big Brother! Wawa! Rey, Red, Kevin, Goldie and I, plus Klaire and Kalvin, bid you farewell but we take solace in knowing that your stories will live on in each of us . . .

In closing, let me recite this poem:

His Journey’s Just Begun

I don’t think of my brother Wawa as gone away —
His journey’s just begun
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one
Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years.

Think how he must be wishing that we could know today how nothing but our sadness can really pass away.

And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched … for nothing loved is ever lost — and he was loved so much.