TRIBUTE TO FR. REY

(clockwise) Linda Chio, Fr. Raul, Fr. Joy & Fr. Mon at Fr. Rey’s grave

Rev. Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, Fr. Ramon Ma. Bernabe, OMI, Fr. Raul Biasbas, OMI, Fr. Rito Daquipil, OMI, Fr. Gillarme Joy Pelino, Sr. Heidi Villareal, DC, Sr. Ritaflor Servidad, OND, Ms. Millet Mendoza, NDT Principal Maam Sucelyn Shun, other guests, friends, peace loving people of Tabawan, greetings of peace to one and all.

Today marks the 1st Death Anniversary of Fr. Rey Roda, who is considered as the father of Tabawan. He had helped so much, the poor and the needy and improved the economic situation of Tabawan. To relate more on his actions, the people of Tabawan enjoyed school kiddie renovation of six (6) classrooms Marcos type building with two (2) water tanks, school clinic, sixty (60) houses of Laum Tabawan. The Scholarship programs youth training for PPAST, CCF and others. All these were the effort and initiative of Fr. Rey Roda and with the help of Maam Millet.

Fr. Rey was not only a Catholic priest but he was also like an ordinary good father, a good friend and a good mentor. He also asked help from Manila particularly from the Consuelo Foundation through Maam Elsa Ravelo helping the youth of Tabawan to be more useful and functional to the society because he believed and we believed too that the youth is the hope of the next generation. So, the PPAST which stands for Palhimpunan Porok Anak Sama Tabawan composed of indigenous youth leader of Tabawan was organized. Its primary objective is to assist in uplifting the socio-economic situation of Tabawan. We have undergone seminars and trainings to update our youth on global crisis.

Although some have failed but the most important thing is that the knowledge and skills we learned and the advices of Fr. Rey on the principle of life are still within us forever. He had put light on us out of the darkness. We learned much from him academically, morally, spiritually, socially and economically.

My dear people of Tabawan, wala na si Fr. Rey, isang tagalabas na tumutulong at nagmamalasakit sa atin. Maghihintay na lamang ba tayo na may isa pang Fr. Rey na tumutulong at maipagpatuloy ang kanyang adhikain? Let’s not rely on help, let’s work together for ourselves, for our own people and for Tabawan. In behalf of the PPAST and the youth of Tabawan, we would like to thank Fr. Rey Roda for the good deeds and sacrifices for the people of Tabawan. To Maam Millet Mendoza at sa mga taong tumulong sa ika-uunlad ng Tabawan, MARAMING, MARAMING SALAMAT PO SA INYONG LAHAT. ### Alnajin Najalin, JPIC Tabawan. Note: Fr. Rey was killed just outside ND Tabawan last Jan. 15, 2008. (This message was delivered last January 15, 2009 in celebration of the 1st anniversary of Fr. Rey Roda, OMI)