Remonde: A devout Catholic until the very end
As he had consistently done in the past, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde displayed his strong Catholic faith when he participated in the yearly Sinulog Festival in his home province of Cebu over the weekend. But no one expected that it would be his last. Remonde, 51, found unconscious inside his Bel-Air residence in Makati City, died before Tuesday noon. Days before his demise, Remonde's weekend was, as usual, packed with activities. Among his priorities was to attend the annual feast of the Sto. Niño. "For the entire [run] ng Sinulog, si Sec. Remonde sumasakay pa iyan sa Galleon para magbigay ng narrative sa fluvial procession," said Undersecretary Romeo Junia. (For the entire run of the Sinulog festival, Secretary Remonde even rode the Galleon to recite a narrative about the fluvial procession.) Junia recalled how Remonde trooped to the city streets and joined the crowd during the festival. "I heard he participated much during the Sinulog in Cebu. Sabi sa akin naghila pa siya ng karo ng Sto. Niño sa Cebu (I heard he participated much during the Sinulog in Cebu. I was told he even pulled a carriage of the Sto. Niño in Cebu)," said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita after emerging from the Makati Medical Center, where Remonde was brought after he lost consciousness. Confidante, singing partner Ermita said Remonde's death was a "big loss," adding that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had just lost one of her "closest confidantes." Ermita hailed the press secretary for performing his job way above expectations. "Alam ninyo naman (You know) how good he handled the media... He knows the trade and nakakalungkot at nakikita ninyo kung ano ang reaksyon ng iba (it's sad and you see how others reacted to his death)." Remonde worked as a radio anchor and commentator before joining the government, initially as head of government mass media group and the lead convenor of the National Anti-poverty Commission. In October 2006, he became director-general of the Presidential Management Staff and in February 2007 was named as press secretary. Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said Remonde's death was a big loss not only for his relatives but also for the Arroyo administration. "Nawalan ako ng isang mabuting kaibigan at sparring partner ko sa trabaho namin. Lagi kaming nagko-konsultahan (I lost a good friend and a sparring partner in our job. We always consulted each other)," Roque said. Asked what he would be missing most about Remonde, Roque said he would never forget their "singing sessions" and how the press secretary would sing his heart out. Roque even referred to Remonde as "the same old jolly fellow." For his part, election lawyer Romeo Macalintal said Remonde never took advantage of his position as press secretary to advance any self interest. "Hindi nagsamanatala iyan para mang-atake at manira. Lagi siyang may mga respeto sa lahat (He never used his post to attack or destroy anyone. He always respected everyone)," Macalintal said. He will be missed Lawmakers have also expressed their grief over Remondeâs death. "I will miss him officially and personally as a friend in golf in social circles and in all official government functions," Nograles said in a text message to reporters Tuesday following news of the Press Secretary's sudden death. The Speaker said Remonde was his "old personal friend from Cebu for years." "He withstood all the pressures and stood his ground even amid the most controversial issues that he confronted in his watch," said Nograles. Cebu City Rep. Antonio Cuenco agrees. He said Remonde was "a true friend and a gentleman par excellence." "May the Lord in heaven help us bear this unbearable sorrow that we bear in our hearts," Cuenco said in a text message to GMANews.TV. Liberal Party spokesman and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo âErin" Tañada III said LP âis extending its sympathies and condolences" to Remonde's family. Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, a staunch critic of the administration, said his party-list was also extending its condolences to Remonde's family. "Taimtim kaming nakikiramay sa pamilya ni (We sincerely condole with the) Press Secretary and presidential spokesman Cerge Remonde," Ocampo said. "Personally bilang journalist din nakikidalamhati ako sa mga kasama sa media, mga kaibigan ni Cerge ng matagal na panahon (As a former journalist myself, I am condoling with my colleagues in the media and friends of Cerge)," the militant lawmaker added. Parañaque City Rep. Roilo Golez also praised Remonde. "(He) was a very good friend. He helped me a lot when I was in the Cabinet as national security adviser. And we remained very good friends even after I joined the opposition...I will miss him. The President lost an ally who gave her unconditional loyalty." - MARK D. MERUEÃAS/JOHANNA CAMILLE SISANTE/ARCS/GMANews.TV