Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat.
How do I say goodbye to a close and dear friend whom I’ve known since the late 1980’s?
Since Chitos untimely demise, so many tributes have been said and published. But aside from sharing their memories of him, many committed themselves to continue his fight. So tonight, I have decided not to say goodbye to Chito. Chito lives in our hearts and more importantly, in our actions. Chito lives as long as we pound the rock.
Pound the rock, a rock that has become even harder and thicker with layers and layers of treachery, mendacity, vulgarity and corruption. Pound the rock not only because of what it is but more so, for what it tries to suppress.
Chito was a frequent guest and speaker in CLD events. The last one was during the Freedom Space Webinar this February to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of EDSA People Power. In this forum, Chito stated that “The fascist will push the agenda of fear, desperation and tribalism. What we need to do is to harness the spirit of people power, the spirit that counters. Instead of fear, we encourage courage. Instead of despair , we encourage hope. Instead of tribalism, we encourage solidarity.
Pound the rock so we can release from bondage our very hearts and soul and free ourselves from fear, hopelessness, apathy and hatred.
Our collective pounding of the rock is the heartbeat of Chito’s legacy.
Kahlil Gibran once said, “For what is it to die but… to melt into the sun? Chito has melted into the sun so that everyday, he radiates back to us.
Maraming salamat po.
Eulogy of CLD President, John Joseph Coronel, during the Memorial Service for CHR Chair Chito Gascon by his Liberal Family—the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD), the London-based Liberal International (LI), National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS), Friedrich Naumann Foundation of Germany, National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Washington, DC, and the Center for Liberalism and Democracy (CLD).
Mr. Gascon previously served as LP Director General, NIPS Executive Director, Member of the CALD Executive Committee and Vice President of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY).
