‘A good man, great father,’ Gonzales’ son honors Pa as hundreds attend funeral
Hundreds came to pay their last respects to veteran broadcaster and most honorable public servant German Gonzales.
He was 67 and succumbed to his battle against lung cancer. At about 11am Saturday, he was brought to his final resting place in the Barotac Nuevo Public Cemetery.
His wife, Noemisia and only son German Ray while visibly in grief stood by to acknowledge one by one the hundreds who came.
Mass was held in the town’s parish where German Ray gave honor thereafter to his father.
In an emotional speech, German Ray thanked the people whom he said enriched the lives of his father.
“I have the fondest of memories of his years in the media – his anecdotes of his media experiences I will forever remember… and his years in the Iloilo City council and as councilor of Barotac Nuevo. my father, he is a good.. a great father,” he shared.
Yet it was to be the “thank you” for his mother that touched everyone.
“Thank you for your fidelity all these years... 41 years of togetherness... It was what kept this family together,” he added while ending with “I love you ‘Tay… I am proud to carry your last name.”
Former colleague in the media and the Iloilo City Council Eddie Laczi was present. Also seen was longtime friend and current City Councilor, Ed Peñaredondo.
Peers in the broadcast and print industry also showed up. Mario Hara, the man behind the famous program “Hello My Friend” came, Francisco “Ompoy” Pastrana, a colleague during his Bombo years, Limuel Celebria, a former co-official in the Iloilo Press Club, Jun Lojero, The News Today’s Erly Garcia and Tonette Toledo.
Toledo was a Gonzales’ protégée.
“It was because of him I got into the Iloilo media. He also became my ninong when I got married,” Toledo said in between tears.
Pastrana for his part recalled how “smooth” Gonzales was in all of his media dealings. He was never selfish about what he learned, Pastrana shared as he bid his friend goodbye.
Bombo Radyo Iloilo sent Bernard Broniola who covered the funeral witnessed thereafter by locals who lined up the streets to watch the funeral procession.
Gonzales was elected twice to led the divided Iloilo Press Club. He spent his good years in broadcast over Bombo Radyo, Radyo Agong and the defunct Radyo Budyong.