OUR BELOVED ITAY (DAD)

(Esther's closing remarks at her dad's memorial service)

"What a friend we have in Jesus," is one of the favorite hymns our Tatay (dad) loves to sing. He is not only Jesus' friend but I have witnessed him a precious friend to many.

You are all here today at this time of SADNESS & JOY in our family to show you care and feel what we are going through right now. I say SADNESS because my family & I will miss him ... I say JOY because he is now resting peacefully and joining our dear mom while on this earth.

Dad served the Lord with all his might, heart and soul. Once he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour, he shared and led many to Him whether they were relatives or friends. While singing the song, "Lift Up the Trumpet, Jesus is Coming Again," it reminds me of him at a younger age having a strong, powerful & energetic voice--becoming a translator for the Voice of Prophecy with Elder Williams. Yes, he used all his God given talents & gifts for His service.

There were many ups & downs in my personal life during the past and he was always there for me. What more can a daughter like me ask for? There are many treasured memories of DAD and I would like to share a few with you:

When we had a terrible problem with my precious husband, Ben, I immediately called Dad. And with a few but so meaningful words, he said, "Love Ben more. My child (anak), your mother (nanay) and I pray for you.

Most of you know the almost death experience of my husband, Ben. Again Dad said, "God giveth and God taketh." I couldn't say much, for I knew he was right. He believes in miracles too but accepts His will.

He mentioned many times, he and Nanay made it a daily routine to pray for all of us children at 4 o'clock in the morning. Yes, he knew there's power in prayer.

We often attended many of his evangelistic efforts when we were young. He leads the song service, play the piano, and preaches--all three at the same time. On one occasion, he asked Jun, my younger brother and I to lead the song service. I went looking for him because I did not know how to play the piano. I found him at the back of the building praying. He must have a good connection above because Jun & I made it through the song service.I knew then that he was a very prayerful man.

There was one time I went with him to a remote barrio in the Philippines when he was invited to visit & pray for a sick family member. Before reaching the barrio, we had to cross a deep ditch without a bridge. He looked around to find a papaya trunk which he layed across, held my hand and gently guided me as we both crossed. Looking back years later, I now know that the experience was a very dangerous one but I gave my full trust in his leading hand. I am very sure, he also trusted another hand, the hand of God to protect us both from danger.

He was a very generous person. He gave me 4 sisters & 3 brothers--to fight with, argue with, smile, laugh and love with. A gift I treasure most including his love & devotion to family.

I know many more memories of my Dad will long be remembered in our hearts especially his great faith, hope & love to God.

Many of us believe he breathe his last breath while praying to the Lord early that Monday morning. DAD you are now safe in the arms of your dear friend, Jesus. So many times I say "goodbye" every time I come to visit you, but today I say, "Good night, Dad, I will see you in the morning."

Dad & mom came to attend Nikki's graduation.

Thank You...

My heartfelt thankyou for all our relatives and friends for joining us in our bereavement during the memorial & graveside services. For those who were not able to come and be with us in person, we felt your spirit, love, thoughts & prayers. To my brothers & sisters, nieces & nephews, cousins thank you for putting the program together, pictures, videos & food preparation in a short time. Your God-given special talents especially in music was very inspiring & I know if Dad were alive today he will be very proud of all of you.

Res, Inherla, Felvi, Esther, Sierli & Sam (Children)

Micah, Ken Ken, Samantha, BV, Kay K, Nikko & Nikki (Grandkids)

NOTES:

Sunday evening, I suddenly thought & mentioned to Ben about calling our parents in Canada (Ben's mom) & California (my dad). That evening, I called my brother Sam and he said that dad was Ok. He even attended a relatives' funeral the day before.

Monday morning (December 21), I received a phone call from my sister Inherla. She said, "Tatay is gone." At first, I thought he got lost somewhere because he loved walking for his exercises. But according to my brother Sam, he checked on him at 4:00 am when he usually wakes up for his daily morning devotions. He asked him if he was OK and responded he was fine. At around 5:00 in the morning, my sister-in-law Esther, who is a nurse, went by to check on him before her own morning devotion & before going to work. She found Dad in bed with a smile in his face, eyes closed but no longer breathing and without pulse.

It was so very special occasion to witness the memorial & funeral services. Though the whole week was full of sadness as well as joy, hearing from others that dad was a "friend, mentor, praying pastor, dynamic speaker," made us shed tears of appreciation & love. Meeting friends & relatives we have not seen for a long time made me feel that even with death of a loved one can be a spiritual experience because we see how God in His mercy manifests many signs of His love even through death.

With their songs & music, my brothers, sisters, nieces & nephews gave a beautiful tribute to Dad. Sierli sang the song, "Beyond The Sunset;" Nikko, Samantha, BV & Micah, sang the song, "What A Day That Will Be," and closing the service, prayer by cousin, Ray Tangunan. Reception followed and was prepared by sister Inherla at the Filipino Church. Many invaluable help also came from Chito & Merle Tangunan, Vivian & Evangeline Callaquas, Myrna Malqued, Merli & husband Macalintal, the Bermejo family & many more who brought cakes, "puto," noodles, eggrolls, fruits & vegetables .

Sam & Esther took care of Dad at home.

Inherla put the services together organizing the receptions--food deliciously healthy. She is connected with the Veterans Hospital in Loma Linda as Health & Nutrition supervisor.

Res & Christynne worked together using their expertise in computers to print the program schedule.

Sierlie, also a nurse, sang "Beyond the Sunset," touched so many & so with Res & Sam's songs.

My nieces & nephews brought tears when they sang, "What a day that will be when our Jesus we will see."

Loida who is still in the Philippines working at the Philippine Publishing House was not able to come but we kept in touched the whole week through.

Obituary (by Ben):

Pastor Ignacio Hernando was born in February 1, 1928 to Vicente Hernando & Felissa Dinio in Angeles City, Philippines. At a young age of 14, he was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church and before the end of WWII in 1944, he married Nicolasa Lacson.

In 1956, he was ordained into the Ministry and served the church even before he finished the Bachelor of Theology degree in 1961 at Philippine Union College & Graduate Studies in a Seminary Extension School.

He entered the Ministry via Central Luzon Mission in 1946 as a Lay Evangelist. His responsibilities were District Pastor, Youth Director, Lay Activities/Sabbath School Director. He also served in The North Philippine Union Mission, The South Central Luzon Mission and in 1981, he became the President of Southern Luzon Mission.

Pastor & Mrs. Hernando celebrated their 50'th wedding anniversary in 1994 but before their 60'th anniversary, Nicolasa who was always by his side in his Ministry passed away in 2004. He left behind eight children, thirteen grand children and ten great grand children.

"Itay...you will be missed."

Tributes by: Pastor Herminio Reyes , Mr. & Mrs. Ponciano Malit (read by Ponciana "Sianing"Arevalo) & Pastor Almonte, Filipino Church pastor.