'Manatili kang buhay...' - Tado (1974-2014)
Published On: February 11, 2014, 02:11 PM
Updated On: March 20, 2020, 02:03 PM
Arvin Jimenez, more commonly known as Tado, did not waste any time during the forty years of his life.
Born into a simple family in Leyte, he worked his way into a comfortable life. He graduated with a degree in Clinical Psychology from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines where he was influenced and inspired to be an activist.
He also ventured into different odd jobs before joining show business.
Viewers first saw him in 2001 as he starred in a reality sitcom and co-hosted a radio show with educator and comedian Ramon Bautista.
His close friend, former orgmate and Parokya ni Edgar bassist Buwi Meneses, in an interview with Startalk TX, commended his brilliance and outspokenness.
“Sa org namin, seryosohan talaga… Bato siya nang bato ng concepts na pwedeng mag-change ng pananaw ng kabataan sa kaunlaran ng eksena o ng kahit anong issues. Pati sa pulitika, gusto niya ring magkaroon ng boses,” Meneses said.
Tado’s friend Julia Clarete and co-star in the reality sitcom also talked about his extraordinariness and intelligence. “Si Tado kasi naturally witty ‘yan eh. On and off cam, matalas, mabilis, magaling mag-isip,” Clarete also said on Startalk.
Tado tried joining politics by running for councilor in the first district of Marikina but lost. Despite that, he shared in his Tunay Na Buhay feature last year that he plans to keep trying.
“May ibang pormula, may ibang pwedeng maganap kapag si Tado ay presidente. May projection nga ako eh. 2021, tatakbo akong presidente,” he lightly shared.
His fans will never see him in the campaign trail because his dream was snuffed out after he died last week in a bus accident in the Mountain Province.
Although Tado would no longer be able to pursue a political career, Meneses shared his confidence about how Tado’s legacy will live on. “Mabubuhay si Tado talaga nang matindi. He made his mark,” he said.
He wore many hats – as a comedian, actor, musician, radio personality, businessman, activist and most importantly, a father and a husband. With a life well-lived and a legacy left behind, his everyday was resonant of the insight that he shared in his Tunay na Buhay interview.
“…Manatili kang buhay kasi kapag wala ka doon sa agos, ‘yung iniisip mo na tunay na buhay ay magiging ilusyon na lang.”
Live forever, Tado.
- Text by Meryl Ligunas, GMANetwork.com