Life's beauty

Beautiful life

Eulogy
Nestor Rodriguez Lisboa Sr.
 (1928 – 2011)

Greetings friends and family,
From his loving children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren...
Our utmost gratitude to Dra. Irene D. Castillo, Dr. Reinerio A. Prieto, Dra. Sarah D. Preza, Dra Claire Calaguas, Dr. Fadrilan, Dr. Cunanan, Dr. Leyson, Dr. Paul Evangelista, Dr. Aleje, the nursing staff , the attendants and the rest of the medical staff, who has not only cared but given Papang the hope and chance to hang on in spite of all the odds. We are grateful indeed to all his friends who were constantly on his side to comfort him and gave him precious moments until his last breath. Also, our heartfelt thanks to Governor Mitra, Joel T. Reyes, the DOH, Co - Lay Ministers whom he dedicated the last remaining time of his life , the Senior Citizens, and to Nancy & John’s CFC community in Riyadh/Kuwait, who showed their support and love by sharing their resources and love. All the people who gave their support in many ways especially those who shared their sympathy via facebook; to Fr. Wendel & Fr. Javy's Eucharistic offerings and prayers, to Fr. Lito for the special sacrament he gave to our father’s last moments here on earth which prepared him to the embrace of the Lord Almighty, special thanks to all of you who have made us strong during this difficult moment of our life…
Maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!

What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet lost his own soul? This is what drives Papang to persevere and just to serve without any consideration of what to gain… except the pleasure of having done something good for others. He believed in public service above self… that bayanihan is a tradition that shapes the character of a loving community. Caring with respect to one another and fearing God. That is the kind of community that he wished to live in. That’s what shapes up Papang, that is what he stood for, and what he continuously dream for us before he passed away...

Papang wanted only to live a happy life, who not only want his own happiness but the happiness of others as well, even how hard things might be. That’s the reason why many can’t understand some of his thoughts. There are only few things that he desired and that must be good for others even to the point of sacrificing things that are dear to him. He forsakes himself because his dreams are already fulfilled not only for his children but for others as well, his goodness transcend beyond the family whom he dearly loved.

There’s one great thing that always surprises us about Papang’s Love for Culion from the very beginning of his service… It is “BEAUTY” the beauty of it all.. Pope Benedict once said MAN CAN LIVE WITHOUT BREAD, HE CAN LIVE WITHOUT POWER BUT WITHOUT BEAUTY HE CAN NO LONGER LIVE, and THERE WOULD BE NO REASON TO LIVE! For pang they are his own joy, the quest that he always searched for the very reason of his existence….

Of course he was nothing in this part of Culion, but our own family witnessed how he tried in his own small ways to reveal the glimpse of light that is within and to experience the true beauty of life against all odds. Pang became part of what was then the greatness of Culion. A true public servant dedicated to the preposition that to live is to live life in its fullness and giving to others as a privilege beyond doubt.

This is the legacy that Papang left us, the courage to face reality amidst life without “wealth”, without “power” and yet full of beauty that reflects in his own life, that also echoes in our very own conviction, if not our true joy.

As the final chapter of Papang's life comes to an end, let it be ours to share a reflection of our own destiny, with a strong past. We owe to Papang the conviction to continue the goodness of the same love & passion he has lived for.

We continue to thank all the people who supported Papang and the whole family in these times of unbearable sorrow, losing a true father in all his discipline that lead us to realized the real gift of faith, hope and love in a way giving us the spiritual growth not only for the whole family but most especially for Papang himself and his preparation and acceptance to meet our Mighty Father the Creator. It was a meaningful journey for all of us, a great encounter of the presence of God. The treasure of our faith and at the same time grateful for all the blessings in the guise of pain and sorrow… but most of all the glimpse of miracle.

We want to share again & again the truth revealed by Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical letter - Spe Salvi… (in hope we are save) He wrote;
"Death admittedly one would wish to postpone for as long as possible, but then the question arises; do we really want to live eternally (in this finite world)? But to live always, without end – all things considered, can only be monotonous and ultimately unbearable. As St. Ambrose (one of the church Fathers) said in the funeral discourse for his deceased brother: Death was not part of nature it became part of nature, God did not decree death from the beginning; He prescribed it as a remedy. Human life because of sin began to experience the burden of wretchedness or even unbearable sorrow. There had to be a limit to its evils; death is, then, no cause for mourning, for it is the cause of mankind's salvation…"

The whole family cried a lot even until this very moment. But our tears now could also be tears of joy because we all believed that our Father's death is an assistance of grace and the blessing of immortality; that is the salvation revealed in our faith, the fulfillment of Christ salvation and the love of God for all of us!

From his children and grandchildren to great-grandchildren our unending thankfulness for this beautiful love he had shown to us.

Thank you forever Pang!
We will always love you!

Paalam at maraming salamat sa lahat-lahat…