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!