Former Marikina City Mayor Bayani "BF" Fernando was laid to rest at the Loyola Memorial Park - Marikina on Wednesday morning, Sept. 27.
Prior to his burial, a Holy Mass was held at the Queen of Angels Chapel at Riverbanks, Marikina City at 7 a.m.
The Mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Lamberto Ramos, shrine rector and parish administrator of the Diocesan Shrine and the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned respectively.
"Rather than mourning, I propose that we celebrate this life that is so lived by this wonderful public servant we call Bayani Fernando," said Rev. Fr. Ramos.
Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa, the former mayor's sister, gave a message of thanks on behalf of the family during the Funeral Mass.
"We are so forgetful of the lessons of history. Sana ang ginampanan ng aking kapatid sa ikabubuti ng bayang Marikina at ng buong Pilipinas ay inyong matandaan at maisalin pa sa mga susunod na lahi sa bayang Marikina (I hope all that my brother has fulfilled for the good of Marikina City and the whole country will be remembered and passed down to the next generations in Marikina City)," she said.
BF enforced discipline on the streets, Ligaya shared, and focused on improving Marikina as a refuge for its citizens. She asked the public to keep remembering the history of Marikina City.
"Kapatid na Bayani, kinararangal ka namin, ng inyong mga kapatid, lahat ng kadugo, kaangkan. Kinararangal ka ng iyong maybahay si Marides, ng iyong Unica Hija si Tala, at ng iyong manugang na si Paul at iyong tatlong apo (My brother Bayani, we honor you, your siblings, and all our relatives. You are honored by your wife Marides, your only child and daughter Tala, your son-in-law Paul, and your three grandchildren)," she said.
"Bayani, forgive me, I forgive you, we love you. Thank you very much for being our brother," she added.
After the mass, family, friends, supporters, and members of the public tossed flowers as uniformed pallbearers carried Fernando's coffin out of the Queen of Angels Chapel.
A funeral parade and procession was held at around 9 a.m., guiding Fernando's casket to his final resting place at the Loyola Memorial Park.
The interment ceremonies were presided by Rev. Fr. Joselito A. Santos, parish priest of San Jose Manggagawa Chapel.
A gun salute was conducted by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), accompanied by the simultaneous blaring of sirens in honor of the former legislator.
He was laid to rest at around 10 a.m.
Fernando died last Friday afternoon, Sept. 22. He was 77 years old.
A decorated politician, he also served as chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Marikina Representative in the Congress.
His wake at the Queen of Angels Chapel was opened to the public from Saturday, Sept. 23, to Monday, Sept. 25.
Among the government officials who paid their respects to Fernando were incumbent Marikina Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro and Vice Mayor Marion Andres; Vice President Sara Duterte, MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
An outpouring of condolences and messages of support from Marikeños, local and national government officials, for Fernando's bereaved family and relatives came after his passing.
On Sept. 26, the House of Representatives adopted Resolution No. 1332 authored by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, mourning Fernando and honoring his accomplishments and contributions to Marikina and the country.