My fraternity brothers and sisters, children Gennelle and Gilchrist, Kumare Hilda, sister of Brod Geoffrey, Oscar Jornacion. Brod Geoffrey’s favorite brother-in-law. We are here today not to mourn the untimely passing of our dear fraternity brother Geoffrey but to celebrate his life.
Why do I pay tribute to him? Brother Geoffrey is the embodiment of an APO frat man that follows the three principles of our great fraternity: Leadership, Friendship and Service. He also epitomizes our 12 jewels that’s patterned after the Boys Scout Law: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. And I may add, he is a devoted brother and a good friend.
No wonder, Brod Geoffrey became an awardee for his exemplary service: the prestigious Dr. Librado I. Ureta Award, the highest honor named after APO Philippines founder Dr. Bado Ureta.
You might ask me, why I am so confident about my tribute to our beloved brother Geoffrey? We’ve known each other and became very close since 1983 when I first met him together with his ka-chap Bro. Paul Languisan. I was working then at California Examiner, a Fil-Am newspaper published by his brother-in-law who became my compadre. When I reported to work one day, Bro. Geoffrey was in an animated conversation with Bro. Paul – embellished with endless laughter and good-natured ribbings. I asked them, why are you both so cheerful and lively? They chorused, because were are fraternity brothers. I quipped, ‘Sya nga? Out of curiosity, I followed this with another question: What’s the name of your fraternity? The answer was an emphatic: Alpha Phi Omega. Obviously, my quick response was, ‘I’m also an APO brod. That started my deep personal relationship and friendship with Brod Geoffrey. And of course, so too with Brod Paul. Because of this friendship, Brod Geoffrey asked me to be the godfather or ninong of his favorite daughter, Gennelle.
Not long after our first meeting, he attended our caucus meeting in a park in Torrance during the birthday party of Brod Gil Magno which I helped organize. Brod Geofrey also attended. This started our active participation with the first APO alumni outside of the Philippines — until now.
Matagal at malalim ang aming pinagsamahan ni Bro. Geoffrey. Imagine, 40 years since 1983, we are still active together? Once an APO is always an APO for a lifetime.
Brod Geoffrey might not have been a president or chairman of the Board of APOGLA. For some reason, he just opted to be the second fiddle or behind the scenes, not the front or center of a leadership team. Thus, when we officially revived our fraternal alumni association – after a hiatus of two years. He became my Deputy Secretary General under the presidency of Brod Toti Ayo in 1984. And at the time of his death, Brod Geoffrey was one of our APOGLA’s board members. Through the years, he also occupied several roles and positions assigned to him.
When APOGLA which was named APO of California then APO of Southern California in the early 1980s, Brod Geoffrey became again my assistant in the 1st APO Treasure Hunt Car Rallye from Los Angeles to Lake Perris and another one from Los Angeles to Lake Isabela. Oh boy, he was so loyal and conscientious with his role. In fact, someone referred to me as “Don Quixote de La Mancha” and Brod Geofrey as Sancho Panza, my squire or sidekick. The Man of La Mancha is authored by Miguel de Cervantes of Spain in 1615 during the period of Inquisition.
He might not have become a president or board chairman, but assign Brod Geoffrey any role, expect him to carry out his duties without complain, without question, without growling, without grumbling or what have you. He will fulfill his assigned task in his humble and humorous way. I know it because when I was APOGLA’s president in 2015, I requested him to pick up the food at Brod Jun Chin’s Restaurant in Los Angeles for our general meeting in West Covina, Good gracious, Brod Geoffrey picked it up cheerfully — without hesitation. That’s being cheerful, helpful and obedient, three of the Scout Law or our fraternity’s 12 jewels.
Brod Geoffrey is our utility man, a runner, problem solver and many more. He is quick-witted, humorous, smart-aleck sometimes, the life of the party with boundless energy not because he wants attention to himself but brings smile and laughter when everyone is tense and agitated.
I’m reminded of the scriptures in Ecclesiastes, meaning an “earthly wisdom that would rise to the level of spiritual wisdom” found from the old scriptures written by Qoheleth identified as King Solomon. I will paraphrase them: There is an appointed time for everything and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter the stones, and a time to gather them again; a time to embrace and a time let go of the embrace. A time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate, a time of war and a time of peace.”
I’m also reminded of the scripture in the New Testament Mathew 5:14-16: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your works and give glory to our Heavenly Father.”
Brod Geoffrey, we will miss you, we love you. We continue to remember your devotion to our fraternity and your accomplishments. We’ll celebrate everything that you have accomplished. May you rest in eternal peace.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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