HE LEAVES TO JOIN CREATOR

(Text of the Eulogy for Roman Aguirre dela Cruz delivered by Atty. Ronquillo Conanan Tolentino September 14, 2007, Capt. Gil M. Mijares Building, 19 Martyrs St., Kalibo, Aklan)

So great a man has left this world to join his Creator.
The moment a man is born into this world, he begins to die. For the end is linked to the beginning. The cry of the baby at the crib leads to an inevitable path – the grave.
It is said that there is a curious paradox which no one can explain. Who can explain the secret of the reaping of the grain? Who can explain spring after winter’s laboring pain? Or why must we all die in order to grow again?
Roman Aguirre dela Cruz, a very outstanding Aklanon, a pillar of literature and journalism is gone – from earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection.
No Aklanon of Roman Aguirre dela Cruz’ time or even before and after Aklan became a separate province has so achieved what Roman Aguirre dela Cruz has as a literary genius and as a nationally famous journalist, a poet, book author, editor, fictionist, pamphleteer, short story writer and publisher.
World War II veteran, outstanding Aklanon awardee in journalism creative arts and literature, a teacher, historian, sculptor, an outstanding public servant when he served Kalibo as member of the Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan from 1971 to 1987, civic and religious worker and leader, we can very well say that Roman Aguirre dela Cruz led a life more lives than one, more deaths than one must die.
Reading some literary works of Roman Aguirre dela Cruz, I found this accolade of Jose Garcia Villa, the internationally celebrated Filipino short story, writer and literary critic when he wrote Roman Aguirre dela Cruz, thus: “Congratulations for your storettes in the Philippine Commonweal which I will include in my present “Roll of Honor for Filipino Short Stories, 1940-1941. But what is more important is that you have the real sensibilities of a fine person.”
The novelist and short story writer of international fame, editor and college English professor said that “Roman dela Cruz owes no literary debts of any kind. He ought to be accorded the prominent place that is due him for his realism and compassion.”
The writings of Roman Aguirre dela Cruz, have been included in some Philippine and American anthologies. And for which he received several awards, locally, nationally and abroad. He was included in “Who’s Who of Asian Pacific Rim”, as a writer, outstanding family man, publisher and community leader.
Rightly has the great American orator and statesman, Daniel Webster said: “One may live as a conqueror, a king or a magistrate but he must die a man. The bed of death brings every human being to his pure individuality to the intense contemplation of that deepest and most solemn of all relations - - the relation between the creature and his Creator.”
It was Rabindranath Tagore who said: “Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting away the lamp because the dawn has come.
Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity. So it is for Roman Aguirre dela Cruz who now rests in the loving bosom of his Creator.
To Roman Aguirre dela Cruz’ dearest ones, to his beloved Nay Juling, to Beli who shall be joined by Roman Aguirre dela Cruz in God’s kingdom, to Cortesa, Marlon, Didecas, Sumra, Hagbong, Mihan, his sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, his siblings, nephews and nieces and friends, relatives, our manifestation of deepest sympathy and condolence, and this prayer:

“Now the laborer’s task is o’er;
Now the battle day is past;
Now upon the farther shore;
Lands the voyager at last;
Father, in thy gracious keeping;
Leave we now thy servant sleeping.”/MP