A family granted the last wish of a teacher from Davao City who passed away due to colon cancer.
According to Pablito Dimaligalig Jr., nephew of teacher Guillermo or famously known as “Tito Gems”, they made sure to follow his tito’s requests for his burial.
“Kapag namatay daw siya, gusto niya ‘yung mga members ng dance troupemag-perform daw sa lamay at sa libing. Kasi hindi niya raw gusto ng malungkot. Gusto niya daw ng happy,” Pablito told The Philippine STAR.
Adding, “Meron daw nag-mention sa alumni. Gusto niya daw sayawin ‘yung ‘Tsokolate’ na dance. Kasi isa daw ‘yun sa nagpasikat ng dance troupe sa school.”
Pablito noted that since it was an indeed unique burial, they received criticism and mixed feedback for their “happy” send-off to Guillermo.
“May ibang na-amaze, shocked, sumaya. May iba rin na nagalit. May nangba-bash, mayroong iba na gusto nila ganun. Hindi namin na send-off si Tito Gems nang malungkot ang vibe,” he said.
“So, na-send-off namin siya na, masaya ang vibe, na-send-off namin siya na, kung anong gusto niya. So, at least happy siya. Kasi for Tito Gems naman ‘yan, hindi naman po para sa amin,” he added.
Guillermo served as the arts and culture director of University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City before losing the battle with cancer in August 2024.
“Si Tito Guillermo is very very strict when it comes to performing. Pero kapag ano naman, kapag when it comes to someone Very loving siya, caring especially sa kanyang anak. Very approachable, very helpful, very, ano ‘yung tawag niyan mapagbigay, mapagbigay masyado. Kung meron siya, binibigyan niya talaga,” he described Guillermo.
“Dala-dala ko ‘yung mga skills na na-share niya sa akin. Up until today, gamit na gamit ko po. Personally, wala ako sa position ko ngayon kung hindi dahil kay Tito Gems. Kung hindi dahil sa malaking influence ni Tito Gems,” he added.
When asked about his message to his tito, Pablito said, “Tito Gems kung saan ka man ngayon, sana masaya ka. Continue dancing. Alam ko, sumasayaw ka dyan kung saan ka man. So, baka ano, baka may dance group ka ulit dyan, no, kung saan ka man.”
