“DEATH is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.”
-Rabindranath Tagore.
We were having a station officers’ meeting when, around 10 a.m., our Manila station anchor Orly Trinidad relayed the information that Press Secretary Cerge Remonde was rushed to the hospital after he was found unconscious inside the bathroom of his Makati condominium.
I immediately texted Cerge's friends, like editor-in-chief Cheking Seares, Frank Malilong, Eli Espinosa, Eddie Barrita and Michelle So. Commentator Choy Torralba confirmed the news. At 11, I decided to cut off our regular programming to go on full coverage.
I contacted broadcaster Rey Langit, Cerge's friend, but he did not confirm Cerge's death. It was Press Undersecretary Romeo “Butch” Junia who did so at 11:55. Cerge was medically declared dead at 11:51.
Upon hearing the confirmation, I broke down in front my production staff and technician. I had to play background music because I was shocked and speechless. I was still teary-eyed when I wrote this column.
Cerge and I are very close. We are kumpares. He was the godfather of my son, Eldridge Roy, now 20 years old. He was like an older brother to me. I also considered him as a mentor although we did not have the chance to work together. I learned a lot about broadcast journalism from him. He supported me in several of my causes and crusades.
I met Cerge in a media gathering more than 20 years ago. I was then virtually unknown because I just transferred here from Zamboanga City. I was then with dyMF Bombo Radyo.
We became close after my sad experience with the Ouanos, who held me hostage after I exposed the overcharging of passengers in their barge plying the Mandaue-Mactan route. At that time, the first Mandaue-Mactan bridge was closed after it was hit by a ship buffeted by typhoon Ruping. Cerge, together with the late Migs Enriquez and Vic Abangan, took the cudgels on my behalf.
Despite his high position in government, Cerge never changed. He was still the Cerge Remonde I knew when he was still an ordinary broadcaster like me. At the age of 51, Cerge could have achieved more. But he has returned to his Creator. Adios, my friend and kumpare.
(bgnalzaro@gmanetwork.com)