Brod Dr. Flor Pagador, UPD'73A - Gone But Never Forgotten

by Ed Rivera and Aman Carolino

 

 

May 17, 2014 - it was a nice sunny afternoon at "Casa Flor del Ciel". The mass started late because the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Albert Avenido, got stuck in traffic. The St. Kateri Tekakwitha Adult Choir sang during the mass. Leberta Loral sang "Love is Strong As Death". "Madaling Araw" was sung by Barella and "Bring Him Home" was sung by Bill Miscione with Victor Vanacore at the piano and Gail Smith on the cello accompanying.

 

 

 

 

 

Eulogies were given by Mrs Eva Unite (Cielly's sister-in-law), Mrs. Rose Unite Smith (adopted daughter of Flor and Cielly). Brods Aman and Ed also gave their eulogies and remembrances of Brod Flor.

 

 The brods who were able to attend were George and Barbie Abrina, Hernan Tabamo and family, Art and Tina Martin, Aman Carolino, and Ed and Zeni Rivera. There was a lot of food (lechon, lumpiang shanghai, beef steak, dinuguan, sweet and sour fish, chicken teriyaki, cakes, suman, etc.) and a DJ for dancing. We left at about 10PM and there were still guests on the dance floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ed Rivera - Eulogy & Remembrances

I was already out of college when Flor joined the fraternity. I first met Flor when he just arrived here in California. Brod Vio Ocampo called me on the phone one evening and said that he would pick me up because we had a Brod that was new in town. We went to Wally Mariano's place, had a couple of beers and then drove along Hollywood and Sunset Blvd. Somehow we all ended up at Chippendales in Culver City. During that time this club was not an all-female club. It had a specific night and time for ladies. Not knowing that there was a ladies night, Flor and I just walked straight in. To our surprise we saw two men dancing and the place was full of screaming women. It was then that the usher came and told us that it was still ladies night and we had to come back after 9PM. Flor whispered to me that the usher probably thought that we were a couple of gay men.

We still miss Flor when we have our small gatherings and reminisce about our college days and I want to thank Cielly for sharing him with us.

 

 

Aman Carolino - Eulogy & Remembrances

 

 

It has been 10 years since Brod Flor went to heaven. Ten years have passed and yet we still miss him terribly, and we will always miss him. Brod Flor was one of the kindest and well-loved persons that I have known. I have known Flor since our college years in the early 70s. He was always caring and willing to help anyone who approached him for assistance or advice. He was an ideal son, the best brother you’ll ever have, a truly sincere friend and a faithful husband.

When I started working for a company in Burbank in 1999, we got to see each other 2 or 3 times a week. He would drop by my office every time he drove around for inspection or field supervision or I would drop by his office every time I had to go to Costco or the Empire Center. He would always invite me for lunch or afternoon snacks but the only problem was - he would always insist on paying, so later on I had to make all kind of excuses that I was not hungry or I had just eaten. That’s how generous Brod Flor was and at the same time a very down-to-earth kind of human being.

I now live in Sylmar for the last 8 years, and the Catholic cemetery where the body of our dear Brother Flor lies is less than 2 miles from my residence, so I get to visit him at least once a month.

I have always treated Flor not only as a fraternity brother but as a real true-blood sibling. As I’ve said you’ll never find an ideal brother like him, ever so loyal, kind-hearted, truly sincere and very good looking. Brod Flor was not only a very likeable person but very easy to love as well.

His ‘omnipresence' in all our frat activities dates back to our college days in UP Diliman and beyond. His presence always brought life to any gathering.

The Bible says:
"For everything there is a season…
and a time for every matter under heaven.
A time to weep and a time to laugh.
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to be born and a time to die."

We will always cherish his boyish smiles, his infectious laughter, his modesty and his unassuming demeanor. Till we meet again, my dearest brother. We love you and we will always miss you!