02 August 2006

Naga observes Raul Roco's 1st death anniversary

THE NAGA City Government, through the Raul S. Roco Library, has arranged a program of activities this Friday (August 4) meant to commemorate the first death anniversary of the late Sen. Raul S. Roco.

The pride of Naga City, Roco succumbed to cancer on August 5, 2005 at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City. According to Federico Vinluan, acting city librarian, a series of activities will be held on Saturday in Metro Manila, where the former senator and education secretary made his mark in the national consciousness.

The activities here include:

  • A memorial mass at the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica Minore from 8:30 am
  • Wreath laying at Roco's grave at the Sto. Nino Memorial Park from 9:40-10 am, and
  • A tribute entitled "Embraced by God" at the Plaza Quezon from 7-8 pm (or alternatively, at the Arrupe Hall at the Ateneo de Naga University if the weather will not cooperate).
Presentations recalling Raul's life will highlight the tribute, to be given by the Naga Parochial School, the Ateneo de Naga University, Universidad de Sta. Isabel, the Naga Central School I Rondalla and The Caceres Chorals. Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado will give a welcome remarks, and Mayor Jesse Robredo a message on behalf of the city government. After the presentations, Mrs. Sonia Malasarte-Roco will give a message on behalf of the family. Former 2nd district congressman Cho Roco, Raul's younger brother, will give the closing remarks.

Photo nicked from the article
"Nearly everybody loves Raul Roco."

4 comments:

kimosabe27 said...

Marhay na aldaw kahimanwa,

Tabi man post ko lang poem ko kay Sen. Roco. Dios Mabalos!


A Year Without Raul

Perhaps it was a god’s way of mourning, Raul
That a year after you departed,
Magayon,
In all her gracefulness and majesty
Wept

As we gazed from her perfect face
Red ruby tears cascading

As we listened from her bosom
Sobs of pealing thunder

As we felt from our feet
Waves of her trembling sadness

We were moved by the divine melancholy
And awed by the mystic perfection

In our heart of hearts
We solemnly pray
A mist of blessedness
Be gracefully bestowed on us
We who wretchedly walk
This parched earth

For a year without you Raul
Evil remained triumphant

We still seethe
In remembering sacred oaths
Pledged on hallowed ground
Easily being disowned, discarded

We still lament
That usurpers remain in power
Engorging themselves with fat of the land
While people die of hunger and neglect

We still grieve
The brave souls who stood up
For truth and justice
Only to be felled
By blood-hungry assassins

We still condemn
The Guardians of the Faith
Who waylaid the flock
When seduced by opulent temple offerings

We rage on

One year without you Raul
We were still bewildered
By that ancient riddle
Which haunted men
Who gazed the heights of heavens
And plunged the depths of their soul
Who traversed unfamiliar landscapes
And waded through ancient papyri

Asking:

Why do good men die
And evil men triumph?

Willy B Prilles, Jr said...

Hi kimosabe27,

I hope you didn't mind my posting your poem as an entirely separate entry. Which I think it really deserves.

By the way, won't you mind telling me more about yourself, if not here through my email? I'm planning to attend the Kabanggihan meeting of Bikolano writers on the 15th in QC and I'm sure RSR's 1st death anniversary will be remembered.

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