CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City officials paid their last respects to Monsignor Carlito Pono, a member of the Clergy of the Cebu Archdiocese, who was known for his generosity and great advocacy to the preservation of Cebu’s heritage.
Pono succumbed to cardiac arrest due to complications of pneumonia last Saturday afternoon. He was 69.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, during the requiem and send-off mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, himself presented the token of appreciation to the family of Msgr. Pono for his contribution to the city.
He expressed his sadness during his speech and said that Pono was a good man and was his favorite parish priest.
“We have lost a good man. We have lost a good Cebuano. We have lost my favorite parish priest. Margot and I (were) very shocked. Today he is not suffering. We are the ones suffering, and the ones he had left behind. I’m sure he is praying for all of us because all his life he showed his dedication to the community,” he said.
Osmeña said that Msgr. Pono was a very active and cheerful member of the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) and will be honored for his contributions to the community.
Other officials who attended were Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and City Councilor Margot Osmeña.
Labella also shared and recalled his most unforgettable moment with Msgr. Pono being their parish priest in Mabolo for about 10 years.
“Let us be consoled with the thought that the pain of parting with Msgr. Pono is just a drop of tear compared to an ocean of joys of meeting again in heaven,” he said.
Blessy Pono, Msgr Pono’s sister, extended her gratitude to the priests, sisters, respected city officials and family friends who attended the requiem and said her farewell to his brother.
She talked about her brother having a very strong faith and trust in God.
“Manoy Itong, as we call him, showed us joy even he is suffering and it was also because of his strong faith and trust in God that sige mi og lalis kay dili pa siya magpatambal. If we have our way, we want him to be still around but God has his ways,” she emotionally said.
The cathedral was filled with emotions as the priests, city officials, church workers, family and friends of the Ponos and Cebuanos who were inspired by Msgr. Pono during his living years bade their last goodbye.
Father Erik Orio, who delivered the homily during the requiem and send-off mass, said that Pono had greatly influenced him to enter the priestly calling.
He looked up to Pono whom he considered a loving father, good mentor and a friend.
“Moduaw jud na siya sa mga balay bisag tight ang iyang schedule,” he said.
During his living years, Pono served the Cebu City Government’s CHAC. He was also the first chairperson of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Culture and Heritage, where he was one of the former commissioners.
Pono also joined initiatives to help rehabilitate the damaged churches in southern Cebu after the earthquake in 2013.
After the mass, Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla and Papal Nuncio Emeritus to Korea blessed the remains before it was carried to Carcar City, the last place he was assigned to.
His remains will be brought to his hometown Pinamungajan today.
The burial will be on Monday at Pono’s hometown in Pinamungajan. — Ivory Pauline Escarro CNU Comm Intern/GAN (FREEMAN)