For the second time, I beg your indulgence as I again digress from the usual dishing out of information going around the business corridor that may impact our daily lives.

Allow me to share, walk you through the burial process of a distinguished person replete with military honors, up close and personal.

In order to avoid a spreader event, the invite was only for 15 – family members and close dear friends – for the hero’s burial of National Artist for Literature Francisco Sionil-Jose at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the resting place of military personnel from privates to generals who served during World War II and the official burial place of the country’s presidents, national heroes, national artists, scientists and patriots.

The advice was for the invitees to wear comfortable dress and shoes as the ceremony will be held mid morning when the sun is up at its brightest. That Tuesday, though the weather was cooperative, the sun showed its rays but was slightly hidden by white clouds. 

As a mark of respect, the flag at the Libingan was flown at half mast. Although the call time was 10 in the morning, we waited for several minutes outside of the Sentry Gate as final touches for the ceremony were being arranged.

Then at exactly 10:27 A.M., six urn bearers (in ordinary service, they’re called pall-bearers) approached the funeral car and carefully transferred and placed his white urn into the carriage bedecked with white mums and roses.

It took roughly around ten minutes for the funeral cortege to reach his final resting place in Section VIII designated for national scientists and national artists. It was heartrending, it gave me goose bumps to hear the 21-gun salute, the highest honor traditionally given to prominent figures like the head of states.

This was followed by the homily of running priest Father Robert Reyes, recounting the life of the national poet and storyteller. In his own words: “Tito Frankie was, is and will always be a child, playful, curious and perennially naughty. He grew old and died at 97 but never aged. While children are known for their prattle and movement, Tito Frankie was known for his untiring writing. Even on his deathbed, in the last hours of his life . . . he did what he knew and did best, write.”

Another emotional moment was the folding of the national flag while the military drum corps played the Taps. The flag was handed over to Tito Frankie’s wife, Auntie Teresita, who hugged it with tears rolling down her face.

And the final step of the inurnment was the entombing of the white porcelain urn that was inside a white satin pouch bag. He was laid to rest beside his best friend, Nick Joaquin, also known as Quijano de Manila.

The entire touching honor ceremony lasted 40 minutes.  

Heard that there will be certain changes in the layout of the Libingan. Two years from now, the National Scientists and National Artists Section will be relocated near the entrance of the Libingan.

For first timers like me at the current Libingan lay-out, I was awed and stunned at seeing the first marker was that of the deposed President Ferdinand Marcos. I believe that the tombstone was black granite engraved with his name and the word Filipino. Beside the gravesite was a tent that covered his bust and an eternal flame.

Reminds me of the eternal flame at the gravesite of assassinated US President John F. Kennedy when I visited the Arlington National Cemetery in the state of Virginia. I’m curious about the presence of the eternal flame, which for Australians is a memorial that symbolizes a “nation’s perpetual gratitude towards, and remembrance. . . a perpetual reminder of the service and sacrifice.”

What gives?

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