Tabaco City — Residents lined the major streets of Tabaco City as the convoy carrying the remains of the late Albay representative, Edcel Lagman, passed through early Tuesday morning, February 4.
Carrying yellow flaglets bearing the name of the late congressman, students, teachers, and residents waved as the remains passed by.
His remains were transferred to St. John the Baptist Church in Tabaco City after a two-day wake held at his residence in Sogod, Bacacay, Albay.
More friends, supporters, and allies waited inside the church, where a mass immediately followed.
The Tabaco Retirees Association, led by a former classmate of the late congressman, was among those paying their respects.
According to Zenaida Bullecer, even during their elementary school days, Lagman had already shown exemplary qualities that would eventually make him a great leader.
“Si Cong Lagman, classmate ko, napakagaling niya talaga from elementary up to high school, and sa UP rin nagkasama kami. He was our editor-in-chief, and I was also a contributor for the Philippine Collegian. Ngayon, marami siyang proyekto dito. Tinulungan kaming mga retirees, binigyan kami ng office at sinusuportahan niya ang mga proyekto namin. Kaya malungkot kaming mga retirees, nawalan kami ng isang napakagaling na congressman. Wala na yatang makakapalit sa kanya,” Bullecer said.
“All-around siya, wala siyang pinipili. He was also a good dancer; in fact, nag-partner kami sa isang folk dance noong nasa elementary kami,” she added.
Nelia Buara, punong barangay of Visita, San Miguel, Tabaco, could not help but become emotional as she recounted how the late Congressman helped her get a new lease on life.
“Nasugpunan ang buhay ko ni Congressman Edcel kan time na ako nag-helang sa Manila kaya grabe ang pagpadaba ko sa pamilya kay Mayor Krisel at Cong Edcel. Ta kan ako po nag-helang kan 2018 kan ako naconfine, tiuson po ako pero nasugpunan po su buhay ko kan ako naoperahan. Grabe an tinabang sako… grabe ang namatean ko na gari ko naman sana siya ama.”
Translation:
“Congressman Edcel saved my life when I got sick in Manila, that’s why I’m really thankful to the Lagman family. Cong Edcel helped me in 2018 when I was confined and had surgery. My life was saved, and he was like a father to me.”
Another resident of Tabaco shared how their life had changed due to Lagman’s generosity.
“Dakulaon an naitabang samuya, lalong-lalo na sa pamilya, sa pamangkin ko na ngonyan talaga magayon na ang buhay niya dahil naging scholar siya. Naghinguha man su pamangkin ko, ngonyan magayon na ang buhay niya, nakakatabang na siya sa pamilya. Samuya, kung ano ang mga katurutikapuhan mi baga dahil ngani sa tabang ni Congressman,” Virginia Bendicio said.
Translation:
“The help he gave us was tremendous, especially for my niece. Her life is so much better now because of the scholarship she received. She also worked hard and is now a teacher. She is now able to help our family, and it all started because of Congressman’s help.”
The remains of the late Congressman will be open for viewing until Wednesday dawn. He will be flown back to Manila on the first flight from the Bicol International Airport tomorrow morning and will be brought to the House of Representatives, where a necrological service will be held around 10:30 AM.
Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman, together with her family, city officials, and employees, led the release of doves at noon today, saying, “Paaram, Superman.”
