dhellski

[dhellski]

A life with a Father, a real father: A tribute to Rev. Fr. Erasmo “Sonny” Ramirez OP.

October 10, 2020: Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfurnished in the sight of my God. Revelation 3.2.

It saddened me today when I heard the news that you’re gone, our beloved Rev. Fr. Sonny Ramirez. It’s a shame I didn’t pay a visit when I know I can – I have never forgotten you in my heart, for all the good deeds you have shared not only to me and my family, but to thousands of people who have believed in you. May your soul rest in Peace. You are in our thoughts and Prayers.

My first encounter

It was year 2000, after my high school when I decided to seek my fortune in Manila and to be with Fr. Sonny, whom i considered at first, unknown and totally not even in the table of consanguinity. He is a total stranger to me, but God has already planned that for me, He made that person I called “a stranger” as an instrument who will change my life in both physical and spiritual aspects.

My impression to him was very remarkable as it’s my first time to see a big priest in a “short and sando” but with a huge voice echoing all over the house – asking to call someone on the phone. I can vividly remember how he introduced me to everybody that I am a brother of Dheo (who was with him for I think 2 years before I came in) and just had no idea and doesn’t know anything about Manila. Grabe ka sa akin Father, nakakaluwas po ako ng Manila yearly. Haha. So that introduction made me calmed and settled for the day. I am an observer and if I am not mistaken, I was the last scholar who joined his foundation at that time of the year, for 4 years. So, I wouldn’t have a basis and observation of how a new person’s reaction, being new to the foundation.

I am a promdi and not used to live with other people in the same house, yes, we were like 19? (I can’t recall) scholars at that time. But I settled in quickly because I felt the spirit of being a family with a Father Sonny and so many mothers – our Titas, who are very supportive of Father Sonny and who loved us just like their own children.

 Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Edition in 2000

The life in the foundation is like in the PBB, “Ang Teleserye ng Totoong Buhay”. Way back then, my housemates were from different provinces, with different personalities, dialects, perception in life but with only one goal – to finish college and support our own families back home. We were divided into two (2) houses and the only difference from PBB was that, there were no cameras and what makes us bonded; faith in God, trust to each other and respect Father to the best way we can, even if we only see him on a weekend. There were no auditions, but he has this great big heart and he knows who to put people, right for his foundation.

Our setup was the same concept as PBB, we have chores assigned, routines every day, and schooling we need to focus on. I remember waking up early in the morning to pray the rosary, clean the house, prepare food for everyone, washing the dishes, laundry, and during our free time, we still clean the house. Haha. On Wednesday, we go to Baclaran Church and so as on Friday to Quiapo Church then Saturday for Bible Quiz show and Sunday TV Mass at RPN 9. Our directives were coming from directly from Father, we obey his rules, and follows his instructions even we know it’s the same but given every time and all over again. Haha

We had the unboxing show before, he loves taking his religious stuff out from the bodega every week, unpack then repack it again. It can’t be live as during the unpacking time, he would normally fall asleep, wait for him to wake up and then our work continues – it’s our fun times as we would know his awake when his snore stops. Haha Father, you were like a living alarm clock!

We felt like we are chef of our own house, we are the ones deciding what food we will serve to everyone. Name it, as we are from different provinces, we prepare our own delicacies and give our best, so everybody enjoys our food – but not me, haha I don’t even cook that time. Ginisang corned beef sa relpolyo, sardines with papaya, and all the cooks of corned beef! We have meat and fish but you know, it’s more exciting when you don’t know what’s the verdict of what you up to – at least damay-damay na!

I must say, nothing compares “Mompo” and “Oscha” together, we are sorry Father but we drink it with oscha on the side (these haven’t been blessed). I am not proud of this doing but as an excuse, at least it’s not a regular liquor for drinkers.

I thought to be independent and built my camaraderie within the foundation. Father taught us to be on our own, make our own decisions and face the reality in life. We are in the depth of trying out new things and make believe in ourselves for whatever future endeavours may bring us. Together with our perseverance and guidance from Father and his supporters around us, we will be ready to face the next chapter of our lives, outside his house and foundation.

 My firs job as Production Coordinator

We are not forced to follow his path and become a Priest or a Nun. We have the freedom to choose what course we would like to take and so as the school we would like to be with. How lucky we are, aren’t we?  I am very grateful and had a very vast experience when I was with the foundation. When I first joined the foundation, I was like an ordinary scholar who would want to just finish college and then go and have my own life after. I didn’t realize that, with the exposures and experiences I have gained during my time, it will be my advantage of becoming who I am right now. In every good deeds and blessings we received, it’s up on us how we will repay even in our own little way, and having said that, I am contributing to the foundation to solicit money not for my own consumption, but for the entire scholars of the foundation. Being in a foundation, we are wearing so many hats, from being a scholar, housemates, coordinator of the show, a friend, and a good follower of God through Father.

I considered it my first job because I am owning it. Father will give you a task not to test you but to assure you that you will be ready in the future. I am inviting communities to sponsor the Sunday TV Mass we aired at RPN 9, and the exposure of talking to them, inviting them in the show was a very good experience at the age of 17! I never thought it’s where my career started, grateful that I was trained of a boss with a big heart and will encourage you to step up and focus on your strength, and let your failures be the guide to a better move in life.

 Perks in the foundation

Common, meeting celebrities face-to-face, get a chance to know some of prominent personalities in the Philippines. He is the spiritual adviser of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada and so I was able to get inside Malacanang on face value. Yikes! Mel Mathay, Boots Anson-Roa, Christopher De Leon, Sandy Andolong, Ian Venracion, Fernando Poe Jr, Rudy Fernandez, Phillip Salvador, Jaime Rivera, and so many others. I am glad that I can sit with them over dinner, talk to them like nobody – we’re like a family.

We have tons of sponsors; we have supplies and sky’s the limit especially on foods – from appetizers to desserts. I remember receiving deliveries of ice cream, canned goods, and rice – our garage was like a minimart. The fear of famine is not on us but rather the fear of how we will consume all these goods, but since Father and the foundation is generous enough, we shared all the these to those who are in need in our community.  We repack all these items and distribute it the areas with full of hope and we considered a family to us.

Being in the foundation was like living the dream, father came from a well-to-do family but whatever we eat, it’s the same as what Father will eat. He eats steak, boneless bangus (yes, feeling ko mayaman ka before if you have it), and so are we. I love visiting our pantry and stockroom as it’s my first time seeing imported goods and the cache is, you can eat too, so long as he knows what you are taking and eating. Haha, sa dami nun, he wouldn’t know what’s missing! Hahaha Herford? Corned beef again, we already enjoyed that with hot pandesal back then.

Father would normally take you out-of-town for his house or building blessing, retreat, mass, visiting a friend and so many other purposes – this was awesome and being a promdi, you would appreciate every “broom” of his car. I have visited a lot of provinces in the Philippines because of him. A bit of a work but rest are for pleasure!

 My first fight with Father

I left the foundation with a heavy heart. I know I did what is expected of me but due to some circumstances, I failed him in some way.  I won’t lengthen the story, but I know Father is expecting more of me. It was a rainy Sunday when we were in RPN 9 for Sunday TV Mass. I couldn’t fill in the crowd seats and the only attendees were good enough to sit on the aisle to make it “daya” the camera and make it full of mass-goers in the TV. What can I do? It’s beyond my control and the community we invited that time was very apologetic that some didn’t make it. I was called by Father and the scuffle started. I felt embarrassed in front of so many people, so I decide to go home and pack my stuff and run away from the foundation.

 My last encounter with Father

It was so many years when I left the foundation and heard that Father Sony was sick - stroke. I didn’t know at first how will I approach Father again since I left the foundation, but I know it’s about time to repent our misunderstanding before. Who am I to prolong my agony where I know this stranger to me before helped me and made me who I am now today? I was surprised that despite he’s sick, with so many happenings in life, he didn’t forget my name. I didn’t cry as I know in my heart, he didn’t take our misunderstanding as judgement of who we are before, but an encouragement to see it on a brighter side, no one is above anyone else. I felt I wasted so many years where I can make it more fruitful with him, his blessings and continuous guidance, even if I am no longer in the foundation. I am really sorry, Father!

Goodbye, Father!

I know this blog is not enough to thank you for everything, how you touched our lives and the others and continuing to be a blessing even if you’re gone. But I am no one without your help and forever guidance. I will forever treasure every moment you were with us, during the times I was in the foundation and even more in my heart now that you’re gone. Thank you and may you be happier with our Lord. Please watch over us until we meet again!

Thanks again Father and we love you!