Tribute to my father CHARLIE DONQUE BAUTISTA
March 16 2012, 10:55 AM
Life indeed is unpredictable but death is inevitable. Didn't realized that another day would be added to my list of dates to remember and that's the death of my father, CHARLIE DONQUE BAUTISTA last February 4, 2012.
EARLY LIFE
He was born June 2, 1947, the second child of seven children of a fireman Cromwell Bautista and housewife Lucrisia Donque Bautista. Their eldest child died while still a baby that made him technically the eldest. It was not easy during those times, life's tough. They're born in a place called Dulong, Gitagum, Misamis Oriental. His father was working at the fire station at Cagayan de Oro City, a nearby town, having an income to sustain the somewhat simple life in the province to his 6 children and wife. Charlie as a growing man has dreams of finishing college and become a lawyer someday. He tried very hard to achieve that dream even if it's not easy to go to a nice college considering the expenses needed for it happen. He didn't give up and pursued diligently his studies.
Unfortunately, he didn't passed the bar exam twice. Thinking about it, maybe there is a purpose why he didn't pass. There seems to be a bad omen during the times he took the board. The first time, he was called on his second day of exam because his father is dying during that time which he lose probably the concentration he needed for the exam. The second time, his sister is on her death bed which also distracted him. If he was given a chance again to take the third time, there might be bad things that would happen.
That didn't stopped him in working in the government, being a barrister that time, from being a legal researcher, he became a branch Clerk of Court at the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch IV.
This position pay served as his "bread and butter" in sustaining our family with my mother as well as his relatives who needed financial assistance.
FAMILY LIFE
He is married to my mother Vilma Tan, August 23, 1983, they have 3 children. That is me, Vida Ken Mae, Courteney and Charlie James.
DEATH
He died about 11 am, February 4, 2012. He has undergone dialysis since October 2011 due to Chronic Kidney Disease. He also has diabetes which is genetic to his family. There's a positive response with his dialysis treatment and medications are effective. Up to the point when he had difficulty breathing about Feb.1, 2012, that is why he went to the hospital with my mother. We thought it's merely asthma since also has late symptoms of it, then we found out it's Pneumonia, a disease many died especially if they have existing chronic illnesses. The complications may have caused his death but he actually talked to my mother in the night of February 3, 2012, saying he's tired already and would like to give up the fight. My mother resisted immediately, saying he shouldn't since we still have resources and he should not leave us.
Me and my sister, around 5am Dubai time, we receive a call from my mother's number and when someone calls you at that time there must be something wrong. My mother's sister delivered the bad news that my father is not responding anymore and that his blood pressure is so low as well as his pulse rate. While he was alive and healthy, he always say that he doesn't want to have tubes or any life support attached to his body and til the end he always resisted. We managed to speak to him through phone and we found out from our cousins who are there that there are tears flowing to his eyes during that time. After that me and my sister went to the airport and find flights as soon as possible and we managed to get it but we have to travel all the way to Abu Dhabi. But time is of the essence, we want to see him alive but during our drive going to Abu Dhabi, we receive another call and the sad news was delivered to us. It was a state of denial but when my aunt said that he waited for my mother and my brother to give an assurance that we are going to be fine and that we continue to love and respect one another and not leaving anyone behind, at that time he expired.
NECROLOGICAL SERVICE
The Coming of the Lord
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,[a] that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,[a] that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Below are the links of the necrological service last February 10, 2012.
- Bro. Benny Sy - co worker in the Kahayag sa Diyos Community
- Bro Bong Ventic - a co-worker of my father in the Households of Christ community, Kauswagan Parish, CDO. He's not only considered as a brother in the community but a friend who is always been inspiring when life gets tough.
- Ms. Blossom Bagas - Officemate of Papa Lie at Hall of Justice, CDOC
- Tito Rene "Boy" Bautista - first cousin of Papa Lie.
- Auntie Belen Barros Serdan - first cousin of Papa Lie (Donque side).
- Mommy Ellen Tan Natividad - my mother's sister and my parents colleague at Hall of Justice, MTCC Courts, CDOC. She is there during the last hours of my Papa's life and will be sharing the detailed story of his passing.Click link for Part 2
- Vida Bautista - Eldest daughter.
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