RCM Necrological Rites for PP Frank Evaristo

Opening Prayer by PP Boy Guevara

Dear Heavenly Father, As we gather in this solemn moment to celebrate the life of our dear friend, Frank Evaristo, who has left us to be with you, we turn to You for comfort and strength. We are grateful for the time we shared with Frank, for the laughter, the love, and the memories that bind us together.

Grant us the strength to support one another during this difficult time, and may the sharing of stories and memories bring both tears and smiles as we reflect on the beautiful life we were privileged to share with him. We also pray for his family, his children and grandchildren that they may feel you so close during this difficult time and may they find peace in your holy presence.

We honor Frank’s memory with gratitude for the impact he had on our lives. May this gathering be a testament to a life well-lived. Lord, be with us in our mourning, and guide us with Your love as we celebrate and commemorate the life of our dear friend. We commend Frank into Your loving hands, trusting in Your mercy and grace. May his soul find eternal rest and peace in Your presence. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Eulogy by Pres. Raffy Alunan

Good evening. First of all, may I convey in behalf of the Rotary Club of Manila our sincerest condolences and deepest sympathies to Marieliese, Carlo, her brother Rolly (who happens to be my cousin-in-law), and the rest of the Evaristo and Saldana families for the sudden passing of Past President Frank the other day. He was 82 years old. We also would like to thank Marieliese and Rolly for allowing us to hold this service for him on such short notice. We promise to keep it within half an hour to give way to the 7pm mass.

Some of us visited yesterday afternoon. Others are abroad or out of town but they too have expressed their profound sadness. Some of us are here today: Reggie Yu, Ricky Guevara, Albert Alday, Archit Bartolome, Boy Guevara, Abe Pascual, Hans Palacios, Johnny Chotrani, Chito Zaldarriaga, Oscar del Rosario, Philp Recto, Gani Macatoman, Dong Benedicto, Rod Valencia, Obet Pagdaganan, Art Lopez, and Francis Juico.

Frank was talented and dedicated in whatever he set out to do. From what we know of him, he was a successful entrepreneur; a journalist; a true pillar of society, through the associations and clubs in which he was a distinguished member and leader of such as the Jaycees, Rotary and Alay Lakad. Frank was a devoted father and grandfather, and to all the countless lives he touched through his good works.

I met Frank during my stint in government and thereafter. He was then a columnist for the Manila Bulletin lending his voice to worthy causes, and helping the Ramos government public relations. My first and lasting impression of Frank was positive, in that he was good-natured, genteel, congenial and always ready to lend a hand.

I recall the Annual Alay Lakad events at Rizal Park during President Ramos’ term. FVR would egg him to join literally the front line with the composite battalion of soldiers and policemen jogging in unison right behind us. After I left public office, I continued participating in Alay Lakad with the Lopez Group pursuant to corporate wellness objectives and, eventually, after I joined RCM eight years ago.

But let me backtrack a bit. I looked up Frank’s file and concluded that he was a man for all reasons and seasons. He was elected as National President of JCI Philippines in 1980; elected President of the Rotary Club of Raha Sulayman from RY1998 to 2000. He assumed the presidency of the Alay Lakad Foundation in 2001, raising funds for thousands of out-of-school youths in the process. He rose to the presidency of the Rotary Club of Manila in 2014. He was an active member of the Philippine Diplomatic Corps and a lay minister. He revived or launched groundbreaking initiatives. In media, he revived the Kapihan forum where I guested a few times. His Jaycee projects symbolized his commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment.

Frank he was a candle of light in RCM, a voice of reason and a man of peace. He was a caring friend and Rotarian. I could go on but I’ll stop here as other RCMers have many more good things to say about him. So long Frank, for now. There will be more good times when we all meet again on the other side.

Eulogy by PT Chito Tagaysay

Hi, I’m Chito Tagaysay, and I’ve known Frank for more than 15 years. But even before that, I have already known Frank by reputation as the President of Jaycees. I’ve always read and seen his pictures all over the newspapers. Alam naman natin, kilala naman natin si Frank, gustong gusto niya yung nasa limelight and newspaper. As a matter of fact, one time, he invited me to join him every Tuesday meeting na tinatawag niya lahat panay babae, newspaper personnel, gusto niya sumali ako doon, eh ayaw ko naman, baka mamaya masabi ng iba na hindi ako totoong Rotarian.

Anyway, one of the fun memories I had with Frank was when we went to Negros Occidental to launch the Gawad Kalinga sponsorship of the Club wherein we supervised and talked to the people who were going to occupy the houses. During the trip to Negros, marami siyang sinabi from the heart, kung bakit niya gustong makatulong. Yung Gawad Kalinga Project ay trinabaho ni Frank nang husto.

Frank is more than a friend. He is like a brother to me. Maraming-marami kaming pinagsamahan during the 12 months that we worked together sa Rotary — he as President and I as Treasurer. May mga ups and downs, nung time namin na yun, low budget ang Club nung mga panahon na yun.

Anyway, in closing, to the family of Frank — please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences. I really pray that Frank’s guardian angel would continue to accompany him to the loving embrace of the Lord.

Eulogy by DE/Dir. Albert Alday

Frank and I go a long way from his infancy at Asia’s First Rotary Club, having been two years ahead of him. When our paths first crossed, he had a firm grasp of our club’s BALITA and with conjectures spreading around that I had the knack for written prose, he invited me to be his Associate Editor, not knowing that this would pave the way for my almost decade long stint as its Editor-in-Chief. Learning the ropes from the master himself, he eventually recommended me to be the club’s Alay Lakad Chairman in the years to come, graciously mentoring me on how to get that free breakfast from Manila Hotel which, eventually, became the selling point of my appeal to our fellow Manila Rotarians to join that walk for a cause. As fate would have it, I would belatedly join the Jaycees at an advanced age, and having gotten wind of that gossip, he, as a 1980 National President at that, urged me to join JCI Manila as he would sponsor me, which I politely declined because I needed a protracted baby Jaycee stage to become a regular one at no time and JCI Makati offered the best alternative.

Indeed, luck was synonymous to Frank. He ascended to the National Presidency of the Philippine Jaycees from a bitter rivalry between two candidates who later became National Presidents themselves. In a rather similar light, despite being a newbie in the club and a silent leader at that, he became a Vice President in less than five years and eventually, became the President in Rotary Year 2014-2015, a feat reserved for those heaven sent. As soon as his victory was sealed, he offered me the Club Secretary post, a job I could not refuse for the years he has mentored me in the craft. Together, I virtually became his strategist for board meetings and by far, he became one of the very few Rotary Club of Manila presidents I know who would visit the office every week which included a meeting with his trusted Club Secretary and the Secretariat at the famed Hizon’s, a stone’s throw away from the office, which were all on him. Despite his already lofty stature as he rubbed elbows with Manila’s who is who, he is one leader who kept his both feet on the ground, a leader well loved by the Rotary Club of Manila staff whom he treated as his next of kin. In the years to come, our friendship would transcend the confines of Rotary as Frank would clandestinely consult me on some of his publication stuff and as a marquee student, I was more than willing to show the master that I have come full circle.

December is the last month of every year, the month where we often sing our swan song for the things that were in a year that was, celebrating the gains and forgetting the whimpers. A few weeks back, I remember greeting him with best wishes on his natal day through social media, a habit I have come to embrace as part of my December routine which, for the first time, was met with an odd nil reply, perhaps a pre-monition of an event that would soon unfold.

Franklin Arce Evaristo was a familiar fixture at many a social gathering, the life of every party that was, that is and will always be. A soft spoken guy with a charismatic appeal to many, I would often wonder how a silent and meek person like him could wield his magic wand as a much sought after travel journalist which has endeared him to many.

Frank is more than the glamor he has come to be. Behind that mild mannered leader of Asia’s First Rotary Club is a man for the masses, one who has unselfishly shared himself to many whose greatest legacy is the smile he has painted on all the faces he has touched throughout the years. Indeed, in journalistic parlance, he has written 30 yet in the hearts of many, he has left a void a hundred fold which no one could replace. Farewell Frank, simply the Best Class President who was always at his best. Rest now in the chapter of the immortals where you have now found your rightful place among Rotary Club of Manila’s greatest leaders whose legacies would never be forgotten.

Eulogy by PP Chito Zaldarriaga

I was not prepared to do this tonight. But since Frank was a person who we really valued in RCM, I will take this opportunity to pay tribute to this remarkable man. As mentioned earlier by my co-Rotarians, Frank was a soft spoken, gentle man. His presence was felt when he would be in the room. He always had an encouraging word for me.

I remember during my term as President of the Club - during a period that we had some wrinkles that had to be ironed out… I felt really low and distraught. Frank approached me and put things in proper perspective and egged me to go on - I felt elated and clung to his words of encouragement. I’ll never forget that moment and really appreciated him for that.

There’s something that I am positive Frank would have wanted me to share with you all tonight. I’ve shared these truths during Bobby Joseph’s wake and I would like to share this with you folks tonight. 4 basic truths.

One: God loved us so very much! John 3:16 in the Scripture says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son- that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Two: We have a problem and it’s called SIN. We have ALL sinned! Who of us here have not sinned? Please raise your hand? Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” We have all sinned.

Three: these is a penalty that goes with this problem - and that is DEATH. Not this kind that Frank just had - we’re all going to die this physical death sooner or later. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death…” The death that is referred to in the Bible is eternal damnation - or as we commonly know it as HELL. We’re all headed there because of our sin problem. However, God in His love for us has offered a solution…

Fourth: in fact God’s ONLY solution to this problem is His Son Jesus Christ- whose birth we celebrated a few days ago. That Christmas story of good news doesn’t end in His birth- it goes all the way to His death in the cross and His death defeating resurrection! It occurred to me the other day that the poinsettia plants turn blood red only during Christmas- Maybe to manifest His blood which was shed in the cross for you and me.

Most of us - if not all here tonight have head knowledge of these realities. But tonight - I firmly believe Frank would want us to commit or recommit our love and surrender to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There is a short prayer of acceptance which I would like to lead us in - with your permission? Would you like us to pray this? Ok - it goes like this. (Make this your personal prayer - this is between you and Jesus.)

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love for me. Lord I confess that I am a sinner. I thank You for the Supreme gift of Your death on the cross to save me from the penalty of my sin. I now accept You in my heart as my personal Lord and Saviour. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Thank You Jesus…. And Lord while we’re at it please give our dear Frank a big big Abrazo from all of us here tonight! All this we pray in the powerful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!” Thank you!

A Remembrance of How I Met PP Frank Evaristo

Back in 1990, as a fresh college graduate navigating the uncertainties of post-academic life, I encountered PP Frank Evaristo at the Quezon City Sports Club gym. At that time, he was a flourishing entrepreneur, the owner of Collectiones New York — an upscale store founded with his wife, Tita Mariellese, in the late seventies. In those informal chats in-between sets, PP Frank, with his entrepreneurial spirit, encouraged me to embark on a path to entrepreneurship. Although he was a top executive in Meralco, he emphasized that being an employee of a multinational firm might not be as financially rewarding. “Expand your network,” he would say, unaware at that time that he was an active leader in the Jaycees (JCI) and Rotary movements.

I eventually followed his footsteps, having joined the same chapter as he did, first in the Manila Jaycees (JCI Manila); and later in the Rotary Club of Manila, both the first organizations of their respective nature established in Asia. My first exposure to society parties was even orchestrated by PP Frank, who graciously invited me to Tita Mariellese’s birthday celebration in Euphoria Makati. Since then, PP Frank became a constant fixture in my life as a volunteer. Although our encounters may not have been frequent, I knew that each meeting would be another enriching experience.

As we remember his colorful life, I am reminded that each story and memory shared tonight underscores the profound impact he had on all our lives. His legacy will live on, not only in the Rotary Club of Manila, but in the hearts of each and every heart he has touched. Let us then remember and celebrate not just the end of PP Frank’s earthly 82-year journey but the legacy he leaves behind — a legacy of service, friendship, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of Rotary. As we say our farewells, let us carry these memories in our hearts and continue to live by the example he set for us all. May he rest in eternal peace.

Closing Remarks by VP Reggie Yu

At the Wake of PP Frank A. Evaristo

RCM Members who were present at the Necrological Rites for PP Frank A. Evaristo: Pres. Raffy Alunan, VP. Reggie Yu, Dir./DE Albert Alday, Dir. Hans Palacios, Dir. Johnny Chotrani, Sunshine Com. Chair Ricky Guevara, PP Boy Guevara, PP Archit Bartolome, PP Chito Zaldarriaga, PP Francis Juico, PDG Obet Pagdanganan, PD Abe Pascual, PD Oscar Del Rosario, Rtn. Philip Recto, Rtn. Gani Macatoman, Rtn. Dong Benedicto, PD Art Lopez, DE Rod Valencia