"Celebrate the Life of Tito de Santos" honors "a life that matters"
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In a solemn and moving ceremony, “Celebrate the Life of Tito de Santos” was held at Marriott Marina del Rey on August 26, 2006, a Saturday and a typical sunny California summer morning, overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the hotel’s rooftop balcony. Later, Brod Tito’s wife Viching mentioned that this was how Tito would have wanted it - with a full view of the sea that he loved and planned of retiring close to in the Philippines.
The celebration was attended by Tito’s immediate family – wife Viching, daughter Tanya and son Noel; their relatives, friends and other acquaintances; and the UP Beta Sigma Southern California families. The event started with a memorial mass officiated by Fr. Romeo Taguinod with Barbie Abrina and Evelyn Cornelia doing the readings. Mando Enrico led the Betan final rites with the following eulogies given by Grand Princep Sonny Pagador, UPBSFI Pres. Norman Bituin and Mando. Noel made the response for the family.
Sonny, who succeeded Tito as the GP of the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity Alumni Assn., Southern California Chapter, spoke of Tito’s service and dedication not only to the fraternity. He cited Tito’s involvement with several civic and humanitarian projects like the Philippine Medical Missions, the book drive and computer donation for needy students in UP, and the Payatas Project to assist poor Filipino student athletes. Mando, a ’63 batch mate, recalled their early days in UP and, in recent years, also as Masonry brothers in Los Angeles. Norman proclaimed Tito as the “Betan James Dean” in the Diliman campus; a feared karateka partner in the UP Beta Sigma Kung Fu Karate Klan; a speedy ballhandler in the basketball intramurals; and a marksman in the UP ROTC Pistol Team. Most of all, he remembered Tito as a kind, sincere and caring friend. Norman read and later gave to Viching a 14-year old handwritten letter that he kept where Tito had congratulated him and the incoming officers in 1992 and had expressed the indubitable priority to put family needs ahead of others.
After a sumptuous lunch and several photos and hugs with Viching, Tanya and Noel, the Betan brods, wives and kids said their day’s goodbyes knowing that Brod Tito leaves a legacy and memory that will always be treasured and never forgotten.
/nmb'65, 9-06
Fr. Romeo Taguinod leads Brod Tito's family - Viching, Tanya and Noel
The memorial mass at the Marriott Hotel rooftop overlooking the Pacific Ocean
Barbie Abrina and Evelyn Cornelia do the readings
Viching, Tanya and Noel receive holy communion
UP Beta Sigmans start the Betan final rites humming the "Betan Hymn"
Master of the Rolls Ago Romero makes the roll call before GP Sonny Pagador. He calls Tito de Santos' name three times.
Herald George Abrina announces why Tito de Santos fails to answer
Mando Enrico delivers the Betan valedictory and farewell words
GP Sonny Pagador gives his eulogy and tribute to past GP Tito de Santos
UPBSFI Pres. Norman Bituin remembers Tito as a kind, sincere and caring friend
Tito's son Noel makes the response for the family
"Forever true sons of thine we will be..."
Brod Tito de Santos, UPD'63 - " a life that matters"
We toast the life of Tito... CHEERSS !!!
Tito and Viching live forever with the UP Beta Sigma Southern California !!
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