With sadness, we announce the death of our father, Honorato “Amang” Reyes, Jr. He was diagnosed with terminal kidney failure only last June. He celebrated his 80th birthday last July 2, and entered hospice care two weeks later. His was a full life consumed by great loves.
He loved the law. After graduating from the UP College of Law (Class of 1969), he declined to join a law firm and instead became the “in-house counsel” of Nepa-Q-Mart, holding office at the heart of a palengke teeming with burly life. His career as a litigator spanned 53 years, including a stint as the Head of the Litigation Department of San Miguel Corporation. He cross-examined his last witness at his last hearing only last July 10. Two weeks ago, he learned from the Supreme Court he had finally won this case he had been litigating for 16 years. The shriek of joy from Papa from his hospital bed as he held that “pink resolution” is something we will never forget; it was meant to be that he would live to see his win. It was a storybook ending to a career that gifted him much pride and joy.
He loved teaching. He was a devoted professor at the Jose Rizal University School of Law, where he had taught since 1998. He especially enjoyed teaching Evidence and Property. Until he entered hospice care, he was very much looking forward to teaching yet again this current semester. Yet even more than his love for the subject matter, he loved his students as people and even as friends. His solicitude for their welfare became a distinguishing trait.
He loved writing, poetry especially. This is well-known especially to those who had mainly encountered him through Facebook. He found purpose in connecting with other people through his poems, in reciting aloud his poems, in hearing his poems recited out loud. Though never formally trained in writing poetry, he was wise to know his insights into the human condition more than qualified him to write about life through verse. In his last weeks, even as his physical strength failed him, he still tried to write – there are perhaps dozens of unwritten poems which nonetheless were fully formed in his mind. Most of all, he told us of his desire to write final verses of farewell to his audience, expressing his profound gratitude to all those who shared with him, who stood with him, and who expressed their appreciation for him. He was consumed by the desire to thank you all.
He loved our Mama, his everlasting flame. They were married within one month from first meeting. Her light, and later her memory, illuminate many of his poems. He delighted in seeing how his only granddaughter Kiara ended up resembling our Mama. Kiara survives him, as do his grandchildren Akio and Marcus, and his two children Oliver and Jenny (with Glenn). He is also survived by his siblings Albert, Lulu, and Lilia. He was predeceased by his brother Efren, his parents Natoy and Lucia, and his wife Julita with whom he will be interred. We who survive him are proud of our Papa and the life he lived to the fullest and always with passion.
The details of the wake and funeral will be announced once finalized. Please keep him alive in your prayers and in your own inspirations.
Source: Amang Reyes Facebook page
