Adieu Max, we sorely miss you!

My e-mail and my daughter Sara’s are loaded daily with touching condolences on the sudden passing away of my husband, Max. He would proudly tell me that the Philippine STAR makes two million hits daily on the internet not only from Filipinos, but from other nationalities all over the world. With his columns written six days a week, Max would regularly receive enthusiastic comments by snail mail or by email. This time, his regular readers have been shocked and saddened by his quick departure.

Mille Grazie to all those who have written us and offered Masses, as well as prayers. I would like to share with you some of their sentiments.

Sanamagan! Salamabit!

What to read now?

From EMELITO ROXAS, an American Navy: "Sanamagan! Salamabit! What to read now? I always start my day by reading the online version of Honorable Max Soliven’s "By the Way" column. Never met the man, but sanamagan, I always felt like I knew him well from his writing. I saw him as an obviously well educated, well respected, knowledgeable, honest, man of principles who fought for freedom and shared his wisdom and ideas six days a week. He was one of those kababayans whom I admire greatly, whose courage, patriotism, intelligence, and moral character make him a model Filipino to whom every Filipino should emulate. His biography should be studied, just like Dr. Jose Rizal’s, by all young Filipinos."

From PERLA HUBER, a Filipina who resides, with her German husband and children in the southern part of Germany near the Bodensee area (near Switzerland): "I’ve never known your husband personally but I have been a fan since I became politically aware during my freshman year at Far Eastern University when Martial law was declared. In the early ’80s when other newspapers were banned, I’ve been reading his columns in the Mr. & Ms. and later on at the Inquirer and still a little later the Philippine STAR up to this day, the Philstar in the Internet. My day wasn’t complete till I am able to read his column. I do miss his column whenever he is on travel and couldn’t send his article or not very long ago when he got sick. He was gentle even in his criticism with the present regime and I admire a lot his sharp memory."

DITAS P. WOLFE-FABIAN of New York City starts her day with Max’s column on the PhilStar’s website: "Now, there is this void caused by his passing on... His masterly way of relaying news, with his deep insight, wit, and vast knowledge is sorely missed. So will his substance, truth, and his sense of history as he connected us to la Patria. Please DO carry on... as the torch is passed... Evidently, he used his God-given talents bravely, with zest, and a sense of mission, sharing them with us and the world, proving ‘the pen is mightier than the sword.’ Indeed, he is a National Hero, with all the courage he displayed. And we salute him today, on National Heroes’ Day. We do miss you, Mr. Soliven, bidding you adieu, as it is ‘a far, far better place that you will go to.’"

From MR FERDINAND U. UNTALAN of Scranton, Pennsylvania: "Sad to say I’ll be missing the ‘By the Way’ columns of Mr. Soliven written almost daily in the Philippine STAR! Even during the days when he and the late Louie Beltran were still writing opinions for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, I make it a point to read his articles as often as I could because I find it very informative. In fact, I browse the internet and read Manong Max’s column thru Philstar.com website up to his last article written days before his tragic death! Now that he’s gone, we’ve lost an icon in Philippine journalism; Max Soliven is a cut among the rest and the best there is when it comes to commentary writing. Farewell Max Soliven.

Faithful friends and fans

From MARIO OROSA of Fairfield, Ohio: "Since the Philippine STAR became available on the internet some years ago, I have been a faithful reader of your husband’s column. I always looked forward to noontime here (US Eastern Time) when it would be midnight there and the next day’s edition of the STAR became available. You probably don’t realize how large a following Max had, not only in the Philippines but worldwide. I wish I had the privilege of meeting him during my visits in Manila since some of my family members were his friends. My late brother Augusto and cousin Naring often talked about him when we went to Club Filipino in Greenhills."

From LUIS C. DIAZ of Diliman, Quezon City: "I am an avid reader of his column for the past 50 years." (Max started his writings in Manila Times, then the Evening News. Later, he wrote for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which he started with Betty Belmonte and Eggie Apostol. Afterward, he invited Louie Beltran and Art Borjal in. Split with Eggie Apostol led to the birth of the Philippine STAR.)

Mr. Diaz continues: "Until the end Max was faithful to his mission of reporting the news and giving his insights on the world’s problems." (Max went to Osaka to give two speeches. Then, he left for Tokyo to interview the deputy ministers of Foreign Affairs to confirm his analysis that Japan is condemning a shift in her constitutional stand on militarization because of the nuclear war stand of North Korea.)

ERNIE DELFIN and COMMODORE RAMON ALCARAZ would always gather the Filipino community to listen to Max whenever we were in Los Angeles: "We are planning to have a sort of a ‘celebration and get together’ among the many friends and fans of Max at Simon’s Restaurant in San Pedro, California on Wednesday, December 27. Ms. Malou Mariano of Long Beach has volunteered to co-chair it with your daughter Marinella. I will do my best to support them. It will be a team effort."

Touched by your article

JOSEPHINE YAO-CHAN, a 40-year old mother of two has always been an avid reader of my column as well as Max and Sara’s articles: "You are all so eloquent writers in your own rights. How I wish there are other journalists and writers as poignant as you all are. I am saddened by the untimely demise of your husband, the great Max Soliven. I have always been so educated and so entertained by his articles. I will surely miss his wise cracks and advice. After reading all the tributes being given to him by his colleagues and friends, I am awed by the magnitude of his impact to our country. I have never wrote to anyone and am not in a habit of doing so, but I am so touched by your article. Actually starting from the article your daughter wrote last time to your article today (11/30/06), they moved me to tears. Mr. Max Soliven will always be in my prayers and I will pray for Ms. Sara’s safe delivery next week."

From VIC HAO CHIN, JR. of the Theosophical Society of the Philippines: "I read today your beautiful article about Max and about death. Thank you for this piece. Coming from you, I am sure that it will bring about better understanding and comfort about the phenomenon of death. We will all miss Max. I am an admirer of his columns – his encyclopedic knowledge of history has always impressed and inspired me. His opinions are among the most sober that I know and go into the heart of things. Perhaps we will never be able to measure how much he has influenced national policies and public opinion, but we know that he has done a lot to change that crucially vital part of human life – human thought."

GLORIA P. EARL nee Soriano of Honolulu, Hawaii, a lifetime member of the US Republican Party National Congressional Committee, explained: "Max had the greatest influence in my ‘right’ politics. Thanks to ‘By the Way’, I founded and preside over Pray For World Peace Movement International, Inc., a non-profit educational and Christian intercessors’ organization that has been praying daily for world peace since 1983. Last Sunday morning, I looked all over and was disappointed not to find Max’ column, but lo and behold there is your very important article with details. Ma’am, I cried when I read his unexpected goodbye but I cried more when I read your loving memoriam for my lifetime mentor, Max Soliven."

OB Montessori alumni and former employees recall...

DERYCK MADARANG, an OB Montessori alumnus, was the classmate of my daughter Marinella. He now works as an IT Operations Manager for an accounts receivables firm in Chicago. His brother Patrick, classmate of Lea Salonga, is now a pastry chef at the Wynn casino. His sister Karen, who also studied at OBMC, is a Programmer Analyst for a bank. He recalls fond memories of Max: "One of my earliest memories of Mr. Soliven was when we had our morning swimming lessons at your house. He was usually awake by the time we arrived. He showed me your Oscar fishes in your indoor pond and his messy desk usually carrying his pipe around, ala Hugh Hefner. Come to think of it, he was always in a bathrobe too, just like Hef. And like Hef, had beautiful women in the house – you and his three daughters! ...Thanks Mrs. Soliven for providing us with a solid foundation during our early learning years. Without OB Montessori showing us the way, I seriously doubt I’d be where I’m at right now."

From EVE JAVIER, an OBMC alumna: "Both you and Mr. Soliven served as my role models. I will never forget the wonderful and interesting experiences I had in your school. We were in that batch of students who listened to Mr. Soliven every Tuesday morning as he would give talks and discuss his articles as well as views on life. I also had swimming lessons in your home and I remember watching Mr. Soliven type on his manual typewriter wishing that I could also write things that made a difference in people’s lives. I look up to you both with the deepest respect and I hope that you and your family will continue to be strong and be blessed by God, most especially at this time. My thanks to you and to Mr. Soliven for being a part of my life."

From DAYLINDA "LINDA" ROBLES FAUSTINO, an OBMC Librarian (1975-76): "No words can describe our feeling of loss with Max leaving us for good! But his poor body had suffered enough. The time for rest is at hand at last! To quote my brother-in-law the late Fr. Teofilo Faustino, OMI, ‘...and now we pray to (this time) dear Max! for we now have an abogado with God. He knows best our true conditions specially our aching hearts and can properly tell God the best way to heal our loss and get on with living!’ My prayer to Max is to see you through, you who have forged ahead with your vision of Maria Montessori’s principles for the young in dear, longed for Philippines! Max, now that the veil has been removed and you see our true situation, please beg God, the best solutions to our heartaches."

GINA TUNGPALAN, assigned at the OBMCI Foundation office from 1990-95: "I may never comprehend your loss but allow me to whisper a prayer for the eternal repose of the soul of your beloved. I would like to share with you this poem, which ironically, I read in the Philippine STAR years ago."

‘Miss me, but let me go, when I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me. I want no rites in a gloom-filled room. Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little, but not too long and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared. Miss me, but let me go. For this is the journey that we all must take and each must go alone. It’s all part of the Master’s plan, a step to the road home,’"

Simple and reverent cremation rites for Max

The cremation rites for Max were simple and reverent in the palatial three-story Karigaya Crematorium in Japan. His large colored photo was displayed on an easel board beside a lovely vase of white flowers at the ground floor, which looked like an elegant hotel lobby with shining brass and glass halls and escalators. The ceremonies started in the second floor where I, together with the Philippine embassy officers, was allowed to view Max. Meantime, Fr. Marcelino blessed him a second time.

On the third floor, three uniformed officials bowed before us, while his white casket was gently slid behind the metal door of the furnace. We were led to a tea room to wait for an hour. Later, we returned to the hall and in solemn ceremony, his remains were given to me in a porcelain urn placed in a pine box. This was wrapped in white silk furoshiki and covered by a thick Shinto gold brocade silk.

(For more information or reaction, please e-mail at exec@obmontessori.edu.ph or pssoliven@yahoo.com)