by Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
Guest Writer
by Estela Ocampo Fernandez
“Roger, Daddy, Papito, Uncle Baby, Bing – A Tribute”
Let me share with you the story of our father, Rogelio Valdivia Ocampo. He was born on January 7, 1940 in Lamitan, Basilan. He was called by many names – Roger, Daddy, Papito, Uncle Baby, Bing. He was consistently kind, gentle, open minded and fiercely independent.
A self-made man, he worked his way to college, became a Certified Public Accountant, and proceeded to rise in his career as a manager for Granexport Corporation and Cargill Philippines. As children, we knew our father to be a hardworking person who was dedicated to his work. He managed a copra buying station and he would be away late nights to oversee shipments. Conversations with his former colleagues revealed a kind and just manager; someone who helped his staff to correct mistakes with very few, but always meaningful words. My dad was a quiet person. His words were few and well thought of. He always shared messages with us that would touch us to the core.
My father was an Evangelical Christian who loved the word of God. He read the Bible all the time. When he met the love of his life, Estelita Gonzaga or our mother Telly, Daddy became a supportive husband of a Catholic woman, accompanying Mama to church, and in the times of the pandemic, online television. Yet he would always refer to the Bible when he needed to share his thoughts.
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” When confronted with the diagnosis of his terminal illness, Daddy expressed that he was already blessed, and so was ready to go any time, praying death would be so kind and not make his last days very painful. It seems that Daddy God listened well and granted his wish.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crowns of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award to me on that Day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.” On November 5 in the afternoon, Daddy had a fatal heart attack in his sleep. He came back for a time, to let the family say and sing their goodbyes. Bravo to you, Daddy, for leaving this earthly life in your own terms, without much drama and fuss, leaving with a quiet peace, gentleness, independence that we have always known of you. As your favorite song goes, “I did it my way”.
We all came home, knowing your days were numbered. The plan was to celebrate Christmas in November while you were still around. You and Mama loved the Christmas season, since this was the time all the children and grandchildren came home. Christmas is when the family was complete, had endless conversations over food and everyone took turns playing and singing songs.
You were always so thoughtful, strategic, and analytical. Daddy, I wonder if you considered the sequence of events leading to your exit, perhaps part of your “secret” when we asked for your thoughts on your way to get a CT scan two days before your passing.
And so the show went on, as planned, because we know it would have made you happy to see all of us together, singing songs, the apos preparing dance numbers for you and Mama. We played, sang, danced and laughed through the tears. While we miss you terribly, we celebrate your freedom from the cancer that slowly consumed you. We celebrate your good life and how blessed we all were to have you as husband, brother, uncle, father, grandfather and friend.
And the tributes! We are comforted by the support and messages from your side of the family from all over the world; family history and stories of your childhood from Auntie Cely, your last surviving sibling, zoom sessions with the Pastor of your Church in Las Pinas, with relatives in attendance. We appreciate the outpouring of love and prayers from everyone. Msgr Vicente Matias Nunag III, a family friend, who visited regularly, gave Daddy the sacrament of the living and prayed over him on the day of his second stroke, two days before his passing. This is a source of comfort in this time of missing his physical presence. You are so well loved, Daddy!
This morning, some members of the family and the help woke up to the scent of instant noodles in the early morning. It smelled like Daddy’s favorite pancit canton. Surprisingly, no one had used the kitchen at all. We would like to think that it was Daddy going about his morning without the limitations of his body, telling us that all is well and that he is free and back doing his usual stuff.
We all love and miss you so much, dear Daddy. With your passing from this physical realm, we are comforted that you moved into a place of eternal rest and peace and are watching over us all.
On behalf of my mother Telly, brother Ian, sister Irene and our families, thank you to friends and family who supported us in the days leading to the passing of our father, Rogelio V. Ocampo. Thank you for staying with us through the funeral and until this day. We cannot mention all of you by name but you know who you are.
Roger and Telly with the family of Estela, their eldest child. Seated L-R: Roger and Telly Ocampo; standing L-R: Isagani, Elias, Raymund, Linya, Estela.
From L-R: Elias, Raymund, Linya, Estela and Isagani Fernandez
The only son of Roger and Telly – Ian Oliver Ocampo (extreme left); Cherry – Ian’s wife (3rd from left); and their children (from l-r) – Ina, Chico and Chino.
Telly and Roger (seated) with the family of Ian Oliver, their only son. From L-R: Ina, Chino, Ian Oliver, wife Cherry, and Chico.
Telly and Roger (standing) with the family of Irene Ocampo-Alaan, their youngest child. Seated L-R: Davin Blue, Denzel Gray, Amber, Magenta, Irene, Dave (Irene’s husband).
Clockwise from top left: Irene Ocampo- Alaan with husband Dave and children Denzel Gray, Davin Blue, Amber and Majenta.