Thank you to those of us who joined our family, in body and spirit, to celebrate Dad's life.
Despite the fact that we are still waiting to have Dad's remains returned, loving friends and family came together in San Diego on December 3, 2010, to help us remember the best of our father, and to thank him for touching and teaching all of us.
For those of you who could not physically be with us, this page describes details from that day.
For those of you who could not physically be with us, this page describes details from that day.
Video Highlights
The Mass
Dad's Mass was held at Holy Cross Chapel, and presided by Father Dennis Macalintal of St. Mary's Parish, in National City (formerly of our old family parish, Precious Blood, in Chula Vista).
The Liturgical Program*
Processional and Introductory Rites
Lei Offering by Pedro Reyes and Pedrito Reyes
(Lei and service flowers arranged by Jonathon Burgos)
First Reading – Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13
Read by Genaro Doroliat, Vicente’s inaanak sa binyag
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 27
Read by Vicky Ibatan Rodriguez, Vicente’s bunso
Second Reading – 2 Corinthians 5: 1, 6-10
Read by Zaldy Doroliat, Vicente’s inaanak sa binyag
Gospel – John 14:1-6
Homily
Prayer of the Faithful
Read by Ténoch Flores, Vicente’s son-in-law
Eucharist
Eulogy
Delivered by Evelyn Ibatan Rodriguez, Vicente’s panganay
Prayer of Commendation
Processional and Introductory Rites
Lei Offering by Pedro Reyes and Pedrito Reyes
(Lei and service flowers arranged by Jonathon Burgos)
First Reading – Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13
Read by Genaro Doroliat, Vicente’s inaanak sa binyag
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 27
Read by Vicky Ibatan Rodriguez, Vicente’s bunso
Second Reading – 2 Corinthians 5: 1, 6-10
Read by Zaldy Doroliat, Vicente’s inaanak sa binyag
Gospel – John 14:1-6
Homily
Prayer of the Faithful
Read by Ténoch Flores, Vicente’s son-in-law
Eucharist
Eulogy
Delivered by Evelyn Ibatan Rodriguez, Vicente’s panganay
Prayer of Commendation
*Note on the Memorial's Printed Program:
We chose to place a Remembrance Day poppy on the cover of Dad's program, because of how Dad would wear his American Legion red poppy, in honor of his fallen military brothers, every Memorial and Veterans' Day.
These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Northern Europe during World War I; and their brilliant red color became a symbol for the blood spilt in the war. Later, the poppies were immortalized in the poem, In Flanders Fields, by Lt. Col. John McCrae, and became emblems of the sacrifices servicemen have made all over the world.
These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Northern Europe during World War I; and their brilliant red color became a symbol for the blood spilt in the war. Later, the poppies were immortalized in the poem, In Flanders Fields, by Lt. Col. John McCrae, and became emblems of the sacrifices servicemen have made all over the world.
Mass Recessional
After Mom's death, Dad had specifically requested that, for his funeral service, The Navy Hymn be played and sung. (Many thanks to Krysteena Atienza, our parents' inaanak sa kasal, for coordinating and providing the Mass' musical liturgy). The recessional ended outside of the mausoleum where we one day hope to bring Dad's remains to rest beside our mother's.
Military Honors
The US Navy provided a stellar honor guard to perform Dad's final military honors.
After a three-volley rifle-salute and the playing of Taps, two sailors proceeded to fold a flag of the United States 13 times. The following describes the symbolic meaning of each fold:
The flag was then presented to Evelyn by an honor guard who knelt in front of her, and held the folded flag waist high, while saying:
After a three-volley rifle-salute and the playing of Taps, two sailors proceeded to fold a flag of the United States 13 times. The following describes the symbolic meaning of each fold:
- The first fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
- A symbol of the people's belief in the eternal life.
- In honor and remembrance of the Veteran departing ranks, who gave a portion of life for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.
- Represents the people's weaker nature. For as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him the people turn to in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
- A tribute to the country, and a prayer that "in dealing with the other countries, may she always be right."
- For where people's hearts lie. It is with hearts that people pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
- A tribute to the Armed Forces, for it is through them that the people protect the country and flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of the Republic.
- A tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that people might see the light of day, and to honor one's mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
- A tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion the character of the men and women who have made the country great molded.
- A tribute to father, for he too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of the country since he or she was first born.
- In the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
- In the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
- Upon the thirteenth and final fold of the flag, the stars are uppermost in remembrance of the United States' national motto, “In God We Trust.”
The flag was then presented to Evelyn by an honor guard who knelt in front of her, and held the folded flag waist high, while saying:
On behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations,
please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation
for your loved one's service to this Country and a grateful Navy.
please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation
for your loved one's service to this Country and a grateful Navy.
Reception
Dad's Mass and Military Honors were immediately followed by a reception at The Prado at Balboa Park.
We chose to hold Dad's "Celebration of Life" in the same venue where Mom's Celebration was held in 2007, because Balboa Park has always been a special place for our family. And it became even more special to Mom and Dad during their retirement-- they visited the museums nearly every week with Nala for "Free Tuesdays in the Park."
During Dad's Reception, we had the privilege of being there for its Annual December Nights weekend. So, after the Reception, if Dad's guests didn't want to just kick back and watch the festivities from the best seat in the house, they were able to tour the Park during its winter loveliest, visiting museums for free, and joining the thousands of other Park vistors trying out all the goodies being offered by local vendors.
Mom and Dad visited December Nights every year for as far back as we can remember (back to when it was still called "Christmas at the Prado"); so we're sure they probably helped our friends at the Prado, F. Rhine Magallanges and Doreen Black, arrange for us to be able to host Dad's Reception here that particular weekend :)
We chose to hold Dad's "Celebration of Life" in the same venue where Mom's Celebration was held in 2007, because Balboa Park has always been a special place for our family. And it became even more special to Mom and Dad during their retirement-- they visited the museums nearly every week with Nala for "Free Tuesdays in the Park."
During Dad's Reception, we had the privilege of being there for its Annual December Nights weekend. So, after the Reception, if Dad's guests didn't want to just kick back and watch the festivities from the best seat in the house, they were able to tour the Park during its winter loveliest, visiting museums for free, and joining the thousands of other Park vistors trying out all the goodies being offered by local vendors.
Mom and Dad visited December Nights every year for as far back as we can remember (back to when it was still called "Christmas at the Prado"); so we're sure they probably helped our friends at the Prado, F. Rhine Magallanges and Doreen Black, arrange for us to be able to host Dad's Reception here that particular weekend :)
