Officials and ordinary people pay their last respects as the coffin of the late Press Secretary Cerge Remonde is brought to the St. Michael Parish Church in Argao, Cebu Sunday for the requiem Mass and funeral service before he was buried.

ARGAO, Cebu — The beloved son of Cebu who rose to become a crusading journalist and a devoted public servant, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, was laid to rest Sunday shortly after he became a military reserve officer, leaving a trail of sorrow from thousands of mourners here.

Remonde, a newsman-turned-Press Secretary, was buried in a simple family plot at a municipal cemetery as family, friends and colleagues in government and media paid their final respects to the man whose life of service was far too brief.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, along with Vice President Noli de Castro, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano and hundreds of other mourners, attended an emotional funeral in Argao for Remonde, who died Tuesday of heart attack.

For the most part, the service at the St. Michael Parish church was sweet, tearful, and somber, with Mrs. Marit Stinus-Remonde and Cerge's stepbrother Hemres Alburo giving tributes.

"We are sad to say goodbye to Cerge but his memories will live forever," Marit, clad in black and white blouse, said.

Marit said Remonde had shared with her many dreams and "he lived all those dreams." "Whatever he did, whatever position he had, he always made an impact. He touched the lives of everyone," she said. "Today he is home in Argao."

Alburo said the family is in pain with the passing of Remonde but is thankful "for what he has done not only for the people of Cebu but the entire Filipino nation."

"I realized how he was loved by many people. Even if he is gone, we are very proud and happy the legacy that he left us is something that will be treasured and we will never forget him all throughout our lives," he said.

The funeral service included a mass officiated by Msgr. Cris Garcia at St. Michael Parish Church with pews filled with family, friends, politicians and journalists. Standing in and out of the the packed Church were hundreds of Argao residents who joined the mourning throng of people all mourning Argao’s beloved son.

Sitting near a teary-eyed President Arroyo were grieving Mrs. Remonde and other family members.

A photograph of a smiling Remonde was displayed atop his flag-draped coffin during the service at the church.

Before the funeral rites, Remonde was conferred posthumously the rank of Army Lieutenant Colonel in the reserve force during a somber yet regal last rites in his hometown.

The military commission, which Remonde applied for last November, was approved last January 15 by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, paving the way for full military honors during his funeral.

Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, who gave the military insignia and uniform to Remonde's wife, said it was a pity that the well-loved press secretary was unable to see his military commission.

The conferment process, he admitted, was delayed due to his incomplete requirement, particularly the lack of Remonde's authenticated birth certificate.

Ibrado added Remonde deserved the military rank of Lieutenant Colonel, usually given to Cabinet secretaries, to his skills and track record in media and government.

"Hinabol namin kasi (we facilitated it because) he really wanted it very much. It's a pity that he died before the approval came out," Ibrado told reporters after the conferment rites held at the nearby Diosdado Macapagal sports complex.

Remonde was Press Secretary for 11 months but he made friends fast.

He brought a distinctly cheerful style to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) and engaged in lively banter with reporters.
Outside of work, he loved to sing, dance, take pictures and chat with friends at Facebook.

Prior to attending the funeral, President Arroyo inaugurated the Cansaga bay bridge along the Cebu North Coastal Road project in Mandaue City before going to Remonde’s interment.

Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz of Cebu’s 6th District said she was saddened that Remonde wasn’t alive to see the inauguration of the new bridge, which he helped get built.

"We feel a deep sense of loss, but still felt happiness that it is finished. The bridge will remind us of Sec. Remonde," she said.

Public Works Secretary Victor Domingo said the new bridge is the symbol of love of President Arroyo for Cebu province.

After the funeral rites, an apparently somber President Arroyo flew back to Manila.