GONE TOO SOON SOON -- A Tribute to a Good Farmer – Raul Sagarbarria Roco

The seeds have just been planted. They still need the farmer’s touch. The farmer has yet to water these seeds and embrace them while they grow. Yet, the farmer was taken away from the seeds to soon. Now, he can only see the seeds while they grow. The seeds would always just be reminded that there was once a farmer who took time to make them grow – provided them the hope that each of the seed would make this farm greener and wilder.

It has been more than a year since the last time when the farmer said momentary goodbye. The farmer took a leave because illness attacked his body. He had to leave the seeds in order to regain the strength so as to continue bringing hope to each seed. That moment somehow placed the farm and the seeds into dark sky and stormy weather. It somehow ended the hope of the seeds to be in a wealthy farm. It instead opened the farm to be parasitic occupants. Now, that goodbye is not just temporary. The farmer has tendered an eternal “bodily” farewell.

RSR is gone too soon. He had so many hopes and plans for the country. For the country that he loved no less. These dreams and blueprint had been thwarted by the illness and a not so favorable fate. Up until now, it’s so hard to accept his death. He died so soon when all his dreams have yet to grow – where seeds planted are yet to grow.

I’ve been warned that RSR is already in the hospital. I knew it was serious because according to a source, he was already using ventilator and that sedatives were already injected to him. I told myself that it was indeed a critical condition. I knew that death could come anytime. However, I didn’t expect that it would be that soon – only around four days after I found out about his condition, he’s gone.

Looking at his wake, I’d know his already dead. But whenever I turn away from the wake and just listen to news stories and journals of friends, the reality still could not sink in my consciousness. (Ang hirap tanggapin. Para kang nakalutang) I would always think of good days I’ve spent with RSR (though I’m not personally attached with him) – those days where days of awakening. My experience with RSR was my first “actual – real-life” participation in Philippine Politics. More than one year of being with the person whom I believe (will always) the one who could bring progress in the country could be characterized by a lot of learning and awakening.

RSR would always be the person the youth would look up to. He has set forth the trend of fighting the corrupt and changing traditional politics. He would want to change the trend of betrayal among our leaders. He has always believed that the youth would be the primary movers of this country. He has given so much trust with the capacity of the youth. He would want to bring “Bagong Pilipinas” for the youth and the future generation. But, fate thwarted him to continue.

He would always serve as an inspiration among the youth. What he has shared would be our strength in continuing the battle. The farmer may have left the seeds but the seeds he had planted are wild. Therefore, they can grow even without the farmer’s presence. So long us we will continue to live by his dreams and contribution, the seeds will flourish. One day the flowers will bloom and the farm will go greener and colors will blossom.

Now he’s in heaven. Angels and Cherubs are singing to him beautiful songs. A good man would always be loved and remembered. He may not be present during the day where a “Bagong Pilipinas” is fully achieved (we may not also be present that day). But for sure, he’s just up there and he would always witness our struggle in making his hope (our hope) a reality.


-- I regret one thing though. Being “the not so fan” of RSR that I am, I failed to have a picture of me with him (yung kami lang). Anyhow, I have his memories forever in my heart.