As someone who grew up and had spent her youth in this town,

coming home is always one of my most anticipated travels, for I

know the moment I stepped down on Ipil’s ground excitement
and endless conversations will follow. But today is an exception,
coz my coming home is about paying tribute to a departed
gentleman who had been a father, a confidante, a ninong,
sometimes an enemy but most a fraternal friend that you could
always share your stories of miseries and success.

The moment I received the call from the council of our elders that
I would be speaking today, my thoughts refused to accept the
reality of the word “EULOGY”. Because this is not what I am
anticipating. I hoped for his 75 th bday to come and wish him more
years of laughter and love. That if time permitted, I would have
chosen to speak before him where he could respond in agreement
and disagreement with me just like the olden times, rather than
speak about him while he is laid in his coffin, cold and lifeless…

Today, we gather to pay tribute to a man who was more than just
a name to us. Brother Doki Simon was a beacon of hope, a pillar
of strength, a companion in joy and sorrow, and above all, he
was family to me and to many. His loss has created a void in our
hearts that can’t be filled, but his legacy lives on in the memories
we shared, and the lessons we learned from him.

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Doki as he is fondly called by many, had a remarkable life, filled
with extraordinary moments and simple joys. He was a man of
humble beginnings, raised in this small town, who loved the
alcohol smell, the hospital ambience and most a bottle cold beer.
From a young age, he had an unquenchable thirst to serve
people, a passion that led him to become a medical doctor. But
his being an accomplished persona never overshadowed the most
important aspect of his life – his love for service anchored on the
principle of equity and equality and his being humane and a
grounded individual.
.
He had the kind of humor that could light up a room, the kind of
smile that made you feel like everything was going to be alright.
But if you do not know him that well you would perceived him to
be sarcastic and insulting one, but for those who had been in
constant company with him knew that that’s the way he is.

Brother Doki is not just a friend to me, to us, and to the APO
circle, but a mentor to many of us. He taught us about resilience
in the face of adversity, about the importance of following our
passions, and about the beauty of life’s simple pleasures. I could
still vividly recall one of our conversations when I was still in this
town, those times when I was a lowly teen ager nga namirito ug
saging tapad sa GRC cinema, nagkatagok ug saging ang kamot,

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kadala adlaw makahilak ug tinayhop sa pugon, nga nakaeskwela
lang ug Marian College kay lagi naka avail sa scholarship grant sa
Bishop kung asa hangtud karon mapasalamaton ko sa privilege
afforded to me at that time bcoz I and my family was really
languishing in poverty. Iya kung giingnan in one of my
indoctrination experience with him kay pledgee nako sa APO
atong panahona “when you were born it was not your fault that
you were financially disadvantaged compared to others,,,,but if a
few years from now your life’s direction will not change …then it
is indeed your faulty because life is a matter of choice’. Before
nahitabo ang massacre nademolished ang pritohan ug saging to
gave way for the development of the town, at that time no
amount of explanation would made me understand the concept of
development, bcoz I have an empty stomach, samot jud kog
halok sa yuta sa kalisod. I told him, naningkamot kog tarong
Unya mao ni mahitabo magrebelde na lang ko ani. He listened to
all the grievances that I poured out. Hard headed as I am before
tanan niyang tambag naa koy rebuttal kay felling nako
naagrabyado jud ko. However after thorough advices I toned
down and started to compose myself. As a friend and elder he is
that person who had a special ability to make every person feel
seen, heard, and valued.

I left Ipil with broken dreams and a messy life, however his
insightful words of wisdom had guided me as I ventured for

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new beginnings in a place where I don’t even have someone to
call as relatives. In 2016, when my husband and I decided to
celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary through a church
ceremony he travelled miles just to attend a momentous occasion
in our lives though he was battling with his illness, and we
appreciated his presence with so much gratitude. I am not Doki’s
usual friend nga naa pirmi sa iyang balay but he knows that I
would always insert in my travel itinerary my quick visit to him,
becoz I am forever grateful for the value he gave me as a person
when I was at my lowest as mamirotohay ug saging, to the
professor that I am today.

Doki and I are two friends with differing opinions sometimes.

There were instances that we argued specially on APO matters
past and present tradition. But after agreeing to disagree and
disagreeing to agree we always end up with the thought that he
is Brother Doki Mario B. Simon, our respected brother , our pillar
, a friend , our ninong. That is why Bahalag galalis mi my
handclasp with him is always accompanied by a sincere hug.

Brother Doki, was there for us in our darkest hours, and he was
there to celebrate our biggest victories as friends and fraternal
brethren.

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And as we gather here today in honor of him who is not only a
close friend, but a true embodiment of strength, courage, and
resilience, our rock and guiding light in Alpha Phi Omega we
thank God for giving us a chance to share and celebrate life with
him .

Though his absence leaves a deep void in our hearts, his

unwavering spirit remains a constant source of inspiration to us
friends. We will always be proud of him and for having him in our
midst.

To manang Jo and to Doki’s children madamo gid nga salamat

kabalo gid kami nga indi subo ang iya paglakat kay ara kamo sa
iya tupad sa ulihi nya nga mga adlaw.

Rest in peace, dear Brother Doki Mario B. Simon. You will forever
be missed, but your spirit will forever live on in our hearts.

Thank you