Response from the Family of Nemesio
E. Prudente
by
Felice Prudente Sta. Maria
Memorial Service, April 4, 2008
Taos puso kami'y nagpapasalamat sa mga opisyal at mga ibang kapangkat ng
Napakasimple po siyang tao. My father
was cremated within 24 hours after his death as he wished, wrapped in a simple
white shroud and lying in a humble standard cardboard cremation box. He wanted
the cremation to be done quietly with only his closest kin present. He did not
want a wake, an elaborate schedule of funeral services, or any fanfare.
Instead Dad preferred that we
pray for him, for the nation he loved, for those struggling to cope with life,
and for those in direst need. He preferred that we work in our own ways so that
every Filipino can have shelter, safety, effective health services, quality
education, sustainable livelihood, the capability to create and express
opinions, a just and efficient representational government, and an environment
in which one can worship openly and mature the spirit.
He believed that the human
rights he so ardently lived for demand a life led responsibly. And it was
through the academe that he found a means by which to share his philosophy for
living responsibly. He risked his life to protect academic freedom and the
human right to learn. Doc believed as a political scientist that the only way
to strengthen one's philosophy for living was to expose one's self to all
possibilities, to all political ideologies, all religious creeds, all social
systems, all ethical rulers. Through that exposure,
particularly as a high school and college student, one could craft one's rules
about how to live. One could decide for one's self what is
right, wrong, top priority, less crucial, and most importantly, what is
just and fair. That is crucial to caring for the nation and its people he loved
dearly.
The Spanish introduced a
saying into the
Every time we say to
ourselves, "Kakayanin ko ito, aangatin
ko ang aking
sarili" and do everything to excel, we are
honoring the Doc.
Every time a student at a
government school like PUP says, " I will make
the taxpayers' money that subsidizes my education and the sweat of my parents
worth it," that student is honoring the Doc.
Every time we serve as a role
model, a community leader, or a national figure in whatever field and serve the
people well, we are honoring the Doc.
Every time we nourish a
hungry child so its brain can learn, we are honoring the Doc.
Every time we lighten
someone's daily load, we are honoring the Doc.
Every time we lead our lives
down the straight path envisioned by the Katipunan,
by the founders of the
Every time we stand our
ground to help the underserved, we are honoring the Doc.
The family is confident that
all over the nation there are many who will remember Dad through the good deeds
they will do, and by the relentless quests for justice and compassion they will
support. Dasalan natin
na ang buhay ni
Doc - ng Daddy -- ay maging
isang tanglaw sa totoong katarunugan,
sa kaginhawahan ng lipunan, at sa kapayapaan ng ating bansa.
¨
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Ruth F, Noel and I attended "A
Memorial Service Celebrating the Life of Nemesio Encarnacion Prudente" last night at the Salakot Chapel of the Union Theological Seminary. We came
to honor a hero of our time. I copied the article below from last night's
program.
---------------------------
Nemesio Encarnacion Prudente
Dec
19, 1926-March 28, 2008
Dr. Nemesio E. Prudente was born in
Dr. Prudente was a member, officer and/or convenor
of several organizations including the Jaycees, the Knights of Rizal, the Far eastern University Faculty Association, the
Philippine Solidarity for People’s Power,
Philippines for Human Rights, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, Samahan ng mga
Ex-Detainees, the Coalition for Peace, the Gaston Ortigas
Peace Institute, and the Society of Naval Architects and marine Engineers. He
was also active in many foundations, including the Kapatiran-Kaunlaran
Foundation, the McDonald National Press Club Scholarship Foundation, the
Fellows of the Asia Foundation, and Bagong katipunan Foundation, etc.
He
was President of the Philippine College of Commerce in 1962-1972 and was
President Emeritus of the
Dr. Nemesio Prudente is survived by
his wife Ruth Yulo Garcia Prudente;
children Rudy, Karen and Felice Sta. Maria;
children-in-law Marilou Corpuz
and Andres B. Sta Maria; grandchildren Carolina, Nikolas and Daniel.
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The
chapel was full. The service was simple and beautiful. Jejomar
Binay, Satur Ocampo, Pastor Aguilar, David Gutierrez, Jun for Dante Simbulan, Pablo Ocampo, Gen
Rogelio ___, Capt Tanedo spoke about Dr Prudente. Pres Ramos sent a message. Bobbie Malay was
called but declined to speak. Mrs Ruth Prudente responded on behalf of her family.
-------------------------------------
Noel
was with the Walking Shadow Band, Ruth F with the Kapatiran-Kaunlaran
Foundation Board of Directors. I was the prep 65
commuter. Thanks to Ruth who got me a return trip ride, natapos ko
yung buong program. I got
home at exactly midnight.
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Dearest Ana, Ruth and Noel who went ... and the entire
Batch '65 who the family knows has added prayers forDad... Thank you very much for your kindest sympathy and compassionate thoughts. You have all lightened many
moments during last week's changing of the guards.
Many of our batch have experienced the deaths ofparents so we are again one in feeling the passing of
time and its many dimensions. My father was very
fortunate to have been given a chance to truly achieve
a clear mission: increase quality education for
underprivileged but bright students in order to widen
the middle class, close the socio-economic gap, and
increase chances for the country to evolve with
justice and compassion. Within that mission, he had
to defend the right to think free and for academe to
offer a safe environment for free thinking. He
understood that the right to allow people to develop
critical thinking is a government responsibility.
Thank you all for being a part of my life. And may weall from UP Prep share in making the future better.
Much love,Felice
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Felice email to Mila: I will share with you this: Dad died at around 1 am
on Friday, March 28, 2008. He was 81 having been born
on December 19, 1926. He wanted to be buried within
24 hours after he died. Andy and I were a littleworried that I would not be able to do that because
there is often a notorious waiting line for cremation.
But a cousin and I proceeded to Loyola MemorialChapels on Sucat in Paranaque