‘A thoughtful husband, a doting grandfather’
For Dr. Marilyn Dalisay-Marañon, widow of former Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., “Freddie was a very thoughtful husband, a loving father to our kids and a doting grandfather to his apos”.
Freddie was a prayerful person, too, she said. “He was usually up as early as 5 a.m., would make the sign of the cross, sat on the bed and prayed in silence before getting up. He would do the same before bedtime,” she continued.
After a cup of coffee in the morning, he would reach out for his Companion, a book of Prayers. He made reflections alone. He sought refuge in his “quiet time” before the family altar with the Sacred Heart, Mama Mary and St. Joseph, the patron of Sagay City. Reading the Companion was a daily routine even in his final hours at the hospital, where he brought his prayer book and rosary. He actually brought them with him wherever he went when he was still in office, Dr. Marilyn recalled.
Marañon, who served as Negros Occidental governor from 2010-2019, died on Oct. 1. He was 84.
He was buried Oct. 4 in Sagay City, where he started his colorful, 55-year career in public service, starting out as a councilor in 1964.
He later became vice mayor, mayor, Negros assemblyman and congressman representing the Second District of Negros Occidental.
Freddie was a devout Catholic, and always instilled to our children that Love of God comes first. He would offer prayers for those who have less, for the sick, for the country and for the family, she added.
“I cannot overemphasize his concern for the poor, the reason why many of his flagship programs were directed towards the uplift of the marginalized, for the small farmers, agriculture workers and others who live in the fringes of our society. He loved spending time with them and interacting with them to find out how government would be able to improve their lot in life,” she said.
It is in the same manner, she shared, that her husband always showed deep concern for the family, our children and our apos. He cherished every moment with them and made sure he was ever present in all family gatherings, weekend lunches and dinners, birthdays. He tagged the kids along with him, if opportunities allowed, to his adventures and outdoor activities, even diving as well as during his travels here and abroad. And he had this penchant for food adventure, although he ate a little of everything.
When at home on week days, he was content with “laswa” (vegetable soup) and “pinamalhan”. But his all-time favorite was “bagungon” cooked in coconut milk with curioso (bisol), she disclosed.
Freddie enjoyed listening to music, too. He preferred the standards. Frank Sinatra, Matt Monro, Louis Armstrong to name a few. He was a cultural person. He brought me to watch musicals and concerts. He attended even the piano recitals of our apos. He also loves to watch the performances of Dutch violinist Andre Rieu on YouTube, she revealed.
Freddie was a natural leader, a farmer, an aquaculturist, an engineer, a champion of the environment and most importantly a thoughtful husband, a loving father to our seven children and a doting lolo to our 15 grandchildren, she said.* ETLoretizo
