A TESTIMONY OF LOVE, PASSION AND COMMITMENT: An essay of KPD-Cebu to the loving and committed comrade, Manny Gorgonio, died on May 25, 2010

(to view the video tribute for Manny, please click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP1v122FOis)

"My passion is to serve the people", the text message i received from Manny on February 2010. A reminder of a life spent for service to the oppressed. I will never forget this simple line and I think it shall be inculcated deep within me forever and amongst us all, in the people's movement.

How can we move on even if we constantly console and convince ourselves that you never left? How can we let you go even if we know that the life you spent is more than the reason of your death? How can we not feel the lost of you when you'd been with us through the toughest times and yet full of smiles, compassion, love, hopes and aspirations?

We are in grief and I wanted to deny you're gone because letting you go is one of the hardest things to do. You had always and will always be one of our dearest mentors, brothers, second fathers and most especially one of our dearest comrades.

You were and are our symbol of sacrifice, hope and compassion attested by the materials you often times carry along: the hat, the seedling and the candle. Younger in spirit and motivation than anyone of us. I felt other younger than him are the ones ill instead of him because you never felt his pain. He spared us from that. He would often say, "we can make it through".

The journey of liberation is long and difficult, with you, you always make it feel nearer and easier. If only we can sprinkle your remains to us and to the people so we may feel the intense of moving forward for the struggle and the commitment like you do, we would. And we may be renewed to always welcome each day as a new day to aspire victory, for justice and for the common good.

We will never bid goodbye Manny, for you remain. Your exemplary deed and attitude and expression of your commitment lives on forever. You may be physically gone but forever will hold the inspirational torch for all of us.

And lastly, we will always be forever grateful of your family for sharing your life and love to us, and to the people.

Manny, till victory forever!
We salute!