Eulogy for RRD

Delivered By Vice-Mayor Edgardo Quisumbing during

the Necrological Service on March 12, 2012

at the San Carlos City Hall

                We are assembled here today to render our last measure of respect and affection for the departed, in this very House of the People that he built.

                A famous story is told of a visitor who visited London when it was newly-built after a destructive earthquake in 1666; he asked the name of the architect who was responsible for the beautiful and imposing buildings; he was told that it was the great Sir Christopher Wren; then the visitor asked: But where is his monument? The reply was: SI MONUMENTUM REQUIRIS CIRCUMSPICE-if you're looking for monuments, look around you.

                Yes, just look around you for the tremendous achievements of our dearly departed leader and friend. From this imposing City Hall to the long winding Eco-Tourism Highway, from the City Auditorium to the edge of our Tañon Strait, from a reclaimed area of Barangay VI to the Fatima Village, and Alger's and its Villa Consuelo Alger Community Center, the Memorial Tree Park, the Muslim Cemetery, and many others.

                Mayor Debulgado was not born here but he decided to make this city his very own, his own children have grown up among us, and one sits in the council of our local officialdom, and when the summons came to serve his city, he readily heeded the challenge without hesitation or demur, and served it well, so well that he was further disqualified to win the Galing Pook awards so other cities had their chance.

                He was an indefatigable worker at the vineyard of public service, rising with the sun and retiring only when the blanket of darkness descended upon his labors. How can we ever forget such a man? Perhaps, when he was born his mold was thrown away by the Almighty.

The only way to honor his memory and legacy of public service is to follow his example, for there is no greater force in the universe than the power of example.

                Psalms, Chapter I, verse 3, fully characterized Mayor Debulgado, and I quote to conclude:

                "And he shall live like a tree planted on the banks of running water,
giving fruit in its season, its leaves NEVER FADING."