By: Dave Suan Albarado
It has been two years since our dear Fred Ines Araneta went to a better place, and as we commemorate his life and times, we come together not as strangers but as humans whose lives have been touched by this kind man. Fred, to most of us, is not just a radio broadcaster and media man. He is a part of every Boholano’s life. Each passing day, we feel his absence in our lives because he was able to carve his place in the media industry to make a difference.
Two years ago, a plethora of people paid their respects to Fred, from the most mighty to the most ordinary, and these people came to attend an event at the Dauis Activity Center to share with everyone how the great Fred Araneta touched their lives, before his remains were brought to Cebu City for his cremation. From then on, his urn bearing his ashes, was constantly brought by his family as they frequently travelled (and still travel) from the Philippines to the U.S.A. where they are permanently residing.
Aside from being a great brother, Fred was a doting husband to Linda; father to Eileen and Jeanne, father-in-law to Robert Mavar and Daniel Ramirez; grandfather to Matthew and Katelyn, and confidant to both Ardy and Gloria, his siblings, Ardy and Gloria, remember Fred, not only for the lessons they obtained from him as Bohol’s radio personality, but also for his kindness, patience, generosity and humility. With his sacrifices and the love of his two daughters and family, he was able to reach a point where he could have retired comfortably and abundantly. In fact, during his lifetime, he travelled to other countries twice a year, but despite all these, he kept his feet on the ground. He opted to be a broadcaster until he signed off from his broadcast, forever.
His smile was captivating and he would never make anyone feel ill at ease with his presence. It was touching when, during his wake, several friends came for the payment of their little “baylo/utang” which according to them, was never collected by Fred. And Fred never gave a list of these dues to his family. As they secretly returned the money to Fred’s wife, they shed tears for his magnanimity and empathy. His grandchildren recall that as soon as Fred arrived in the U.S.A. for every visit he made, he would immediately request the two, to bring him to the nearest store to start buying the things to be given as “pasalubong” to his friends and associates upon coming back to the Philippines. And he made a list, marked with true love from his heart.
Fred was a rarity! He had plenty to say about current events during his media work, because after all, it was a fact that he was the FACE of the BOHOLANO MORNING NEWS. His voice was, indeed, iconic. It did not only resound in the corners of the Boholano homes, but also in the minds and hearts of his listeners and viewers. He would translate, on the spot, the English news to the vernacular. And he did it with gusto.
Accolades poured for Fred when he left us. Politicians and councils paid tribute to him. He was also a public servant during his stint in the Sangguniang Bayan of Dauis after he was elected as Number 1 Councilor. He served his people well sans all the need for publicity and recognition. He received several awards and commendations, but never did he flaunt about all these in public and private conversations.
Fred has lived a full life and we celebrate life in his 2nd heavenly birthday because that is the most potent way to remember him. He passed away on Sept. 12, 2022 and his sudden demise due to cardiac arrest came as a shock to the entire Boholano community. Ardy says, “The events in the early morning of September 12 were unimaginable that the mere mention of the date would make me shiver.”
Fred’s contribution to the local broadcasting industry spans 50 years from the time he started his career back in the 1960s at the now defunct dyML until his departure to the great beyond. People claim that they never heard Fred raise his voice against any caller during broadcast time. His fans say that he was someone oozing with wisdom, understanding, generosity, and most of all, RESPECT for his listening audience.
Yesterday, September 14, Fred’s ashes were permanently entombed in a ceremony called inurnment at the Araneta mini-mausoleum at the Dauis Catholic Cemetery and the stormy weather never stopped people to say good bye to him in the presence of his family who flew in all the way from abroad to finally touch the urn that used to connect them to him for two years.
Until we will all meet again, our dear Fred!
