Claudio....for Claudio Estante
Posted on Friday, 3 July 2015
Claudio
(for Claudio Estante)
By Apolinario
Villalobos
Just when others
quiver at the sight of a coming storm
Tremble at the
sound of a deafening thunder
Give way to the
gusty wind of a swirling typhoon
This man stayed
put with eyes never blinking -
With courage, he
stayed amidst life’s turmoil;
All the way, this
man stood tall.
He worked without
expecting so much to gain
But trusting and
loyal friends surrounded him till end
For how can one
be not drawn to his radiant smile
And teasing
twinkle of eyes that mirrored his soul ?
This man, indeed,
friends will never forget
As even in a
milling throng, he stood out tall.
The few miles of
his life, he took with careful stride
Knowing that
someday come what may, he’ll call it quits
He’ll face the
day and reckoning will be made
Hence, just when
the light of his life started to flicker
He prepared for
the day he’s been waiting;
So even in
silence his innocent smile did not leave his lips
For at the pearly
gate as he shall wave to all -
He shall do it
proudly while standing tall.
(Claudio Estante
initiated the operation of the Department of Social Welfare in Tacurong in the
mid-70’s during which the encounters between the Christian Ilagas and Muslim
Black Shirts were at their worst. He spearheaded the distribution of relief
goods throughout the province with Tacurong as the base. Tacurong which was
then a struggling municipality during that time was under the mayorship of Jose
Escribano. When he retired, Mr. Estante organized the senior citizens of the
city. He was at the helm of the organization until he finally rested in July 5,
2012.)
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