Former and incumbent Bulacan local officials of Bulacan led by Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando paid tribute to the late Hagonoy Mayor and Board Member (BM) Felix Magdiwang “Toti” V. Ople during a necrological service at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in the City of Malolos, Bulacan on Monday, July 17.
“Sa kabila ng kanyang mataas na pinagmulan sa buhay, si Bokal Toti po ay namuhay ng payak, may kababaang loob. Isinilang at lumaki sa kaginhawahan, ngunit mas pinili niyang sundan ang tagubilin ng ama na huwag iwanan, bagkus ay paglingkuran ang Lalawigan ng Bulacan, lalo na ang Bayan ng Hagonoy na labis niyang minahal,” (In spite of his being affluent, Board member Toti lived a simple and humble life. He was born rich and grew in comfort, but he chose to follow the advice of his father to serve the people of Bulacan, especially the town of Hagonoy that he loved so much)," the governor said.
Both Fernando and Bulacan Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro recollected happy memories with the veteran politician who served as a provincial legislator for nine years.
“Mahirap maghanap ng tunay na kaibigan sa politika pero nakita ko po kay Kuya Toti ang isang tunay na kaibigan, parang kapatid,” (It's hard to find a true friend in politics but I saw it in Kuya Toti. He was a real friend, like a brother)," Castro said after dedicating a song entitled “You Raised Me Up” to Ople.
(Photo from the official Facebook page of Gov. Daniel R. Fernando)
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Castro, together with the whole 11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan, handed over to the bereaved family a copy of Kapasiyahan Blg. 555-T’2023 which contains high honor and distinct recognition for Ople.
Former Board Member and Bureau of Customs Director Michael Fermin, Hagonoy Mayor Flordeliza Manlapaz, former Governor Roberto Pagdanganan, and First District Congressman Danilo Domingo also paid their tribute to the late Hagonoeño politician.
Luis V. Ople, the eldest among the Ople siblings, thanked the Provincial Government of Bulacan for the heartfelt eulogy for his brother. He added that similar to their brother’s second name “Magdiwang,” the tribute was a celebration of Toti’s beautiful life as a public servant.
A wake for Ople was held at the Christ the King Chapel in Greenmeadows, Quezon City.
After the necrological service, Ople’s wake was transferred to Cherubim of Heaven in San Pedro, Hagonoy where he will lie in state until July 21 when he will be laid to rest at the Hagonoy Catholic Cemetery.