Family, friends recall fond moments with Cesar Apolinario on last day of wake

Family and friends of the late veteran journalist Cesar Apolinario gathered at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Commonwealth, Quezon City one last time on Tuesday night to celebrate his colorful life.

The GMA-7 reporter passed away at the age of 46 last Friday after a bout with lymphoma.

On the last day of his wake, Apolinario’s loved ones recounted their fondest memories with him.

The executive producer of iJuander, which Apolinario co-hosted with Susan Enriquez, prepared a touching video tribute for the late host.

“Naging parte na si Cesar ng aming personal na buhay… nakasama sa bawat hirap at tagumpay,” Stephen Patricio said.

GMA News anchor Arnold Clavio, meanwhile, saluted Apolinario’s strength even in times of hardship.

Clavio recalled one instance where Apolinario was not able to reply to his text message stating that he had already prepared their tickets to a championship game of the University of Santo Tomas.

Both reporters are alumni of UST.

“Ang sama sama ng loob ko, until ilang araw after that game,” Clavio said. “Tinext niya ko, ‘Sayang, hindi tayo nag-champion.’ ‘E hinihintay kita ba’t ‘di ka sumagot?’ Sabi niya, ‘Gusto ko Sabado.’ Walang laro ng Sabado.”

“Hindi ko alam na nasa ICU siya no’ng time na hinihintay ko siya. Alam mo ‘yun, hindi niya idadamay kayo [kahit] na naghihirap siya,” he added.

Veteran anchor Mel Tiangco also fondly recalled Apolinario’s thoughtfulness.

“One time he saw me shouting on my phone, I was talking to somebody. Sabi niya, ‘Tita Mel, uso na ngayon ‘yung mga earphones. Sabi ko, ‘Kung eto ngang cellphone ko hindi ko ma-ano, gagano’n pa ko.’ And knowing him, a few days after, may regalo siya sakin: earphones,” she said.

Joy Apolinario meanwhile narrated the last few days of her husband, up until their final moments together.

Joy said she woke up on December 13th to find her husband in a weird position on the hospital bed with his oxygen mask off.

“Pinapagalitan ko siya, ‘Ang kulit mo talaga, ba’t ka tanggal nang tanggal niyan,” she recalled.

“Hindi siya magising hanggang tumawag ako sa labas. ‘Yun na pala ‘yun. Pinatulog niya lang ako dahil ayaw niyang makita kong nagsa-struggle siya.” —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News