TRIBUTE TO TATAY

CEBU, Philippines - The writer, Melanie Marie Ypil-Roxas Lachica is a U.N. employee and wife of the Philippine counsel to New York, Lawyer   Leonardo Lachica. She delivered this eulogy in honor of the memory of his late father, Prudencio R. Ypil, former secretary to the municipal mayor of LiloanTown,Cebu.

On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you for being with us here today and for your comfort and prayers during this difficult and painful time. Yes, he was my Tatay, but he was not only just my Tatay, but a Tatay to so many of us here today. Tatay was a good man, a simple man, and a humble man. While we mourn his loss. let us celebrate a life lived. God , in His great goodness, blessed our lives with Tatay’s presence as a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a grandfather, an uncle, a colleague, and a friend. Each one of us here has a story to share about Tatay.

One of the things I will miss most about Tatay is humor. He never failed, as I’m sure is the case for all of you here, to make me laugh. I’m positive that he wouldn’t want us to be sad, but rather to remember the happy times with him with a happy smile.

His humor was only surpassed by his immense heart for others. I’m sure that Tatay has not only helped not one, not two, but the entire community of Lilo-an.

He never refused anyone who came to him for help. Tatay served the public diligently throughout his years in government, and armed only with his wit and genuine care for the people, he always delivered. In his own humble way has helped this town to be a better place and we are all the richer for having had him in our lives.

While Tatay’s efforts sometimes went unnoticed, he was not to complain. He never complained. But it gives me great comfort to know that during the wake, time and time again people have come up to me to relay how, in one way or another, Tatay has helped touch their lives. But that is quintessential Tatay.

A humble man who did not seek nor need recognition. Truly Tatay was indeed valued and appreciated by so many and Tatay’s passing is not just the family’s loss, but the community’s loss as well.

Tatay’s love was an unconditional love. He loved wholeheartedly, without any condition nor reservations, no matter the consequences.

Tatay did not have a mean bone in his body and was ever ready to forgive and let by-gones be by gones. When he was hit by an overspeeding motorcycle driver, the driver was caught and put in jail. But Tatay decided not to press charges because the driver had several children to support and he did not want to futher burden the man. As my Tatay, he never failed me. More than a source of strength, he is my inspiration of love that asks for nothing in return. I remember when I was in college in Manila, I fell ill and had to be hospitalized. I was admitted late at night and when I woke up, he was the first person I saw the very next morning. I will also miss his cooking. He knew my favorite foods and everytime I came home to Lilo-an, he always had my favorite pasayan at every meal without fail. Though we will crave for his home-cooked meals in the days to come, we will be soothed by the knowledge that Tatay has already filled us up so many times over with his unconditional love and I take comfort in the knowledge that tatay will live on in my children and in my children’s children.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Ypil Family for their outpouring of love and support. As you know, I did not grow up here and did not have the chance to know my uncles, aunts and cousins from my Tatay’s side of the family. But Tatay, in his unique way, painful the circumstance may be, brought us all closer together.

I thank Tatay for giving me the chance to discover and appreciate the truly wonderful people that they are. Needless to say, my cousins from Nanay’s side of the family have been a pillar of strength during this difficult time as well.

When I was little, Tatay used to sing the song ‘You are my Sunshine’ to me. Tatay, I want you to know that YOU are my sunshine. As sure as the sun rises each day, I know that you will be watching over all of us-to brighten our lives and comfort us in the days to come.

I couldn’t be more proud to have you as my Tatay.