CLAD in white, family and friends of veteran journalist Rolando "Rolly" Espina paid their last respects as he was laid to rest at Rolling Hills Memorial Park in Bacolod City on Saturday.
Hundreds gathered at the funeral of the man who served as an inspiration to those who got to know him.
For his family, it was not goodbye, but a homecoming as the beloved journalist will be reunited with his wife Lourdes, who passed away in September 2000. They had 11 children, 23 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
The 84-year-old journalist passed away on December 28.
Espina, whose journalism career spanned more than 50 years, was with the pre-Martial Law Manila Chronicle, the Philippine Star and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. He was also a bureau chief of the Philippine News Agency and correspondent of various wire agencies and foreign periodicals. He was one of the founders of The Visayan Daily Star, and was also chairman of the Negros Daily Bulletin.
He served as president of the Negros Press Club and twice as vice president of the National Press Club.
But more than his personality as journalist, Espina was also a father.
In her eulogy, daughter Inday Espina-Varona, who followed her father's footsteps along with brother Nonoy Espina, said they're proud of their father's journalism and credibility.
"Dad abhorred entitlement. He didn't take shortcuts. He didn't use his byline to curry personal favors for him or his family. He was always courteous to staff, he was courteous to people," Varona said.
She added that visitors to her father's wake shared that he took time to get to know them. "They weren't just news sources, they were people worthy of his genuine interest and how even in the rush of deadlines, he was never too harried to ask about their personal circumstances."
She also praised their father for his strength, especially being a single parent for 17 years.
"Daddy wherever you are, the mark of your being a true man, a good man, is that our brothers and our nephews nurturing to become very good fathers," she said.
She added: "You deserve to be with Nanay now." (MPE)