By Ellen TordesillasNovember 23, 2008
Marlyn Divinagacia, 32,wife of Capt Ervin Divinagracia, one of the 28 officers detained in connection with the February 2006 non-event,was laid to rest yesterday. (Click here for brief background info).
At the necrological rites for her at St. Ignatius church in Camp Aguinaldo, Aloy Lim read the following message of her husband, Brig. Gen. Danny Lim, (also in detention) formerly the commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment where Ervin belonged:
"When I first heard the final diagnosis that Marlyn’s condition was acute myelogenous leukemia and that she was slowly slipping into coma, I asked God to remove the working tools from those weary hands so her whole being may find final rest, and not long after, when I got word that her mortal remains are all we have, I asked God, why the tragedy?
When someone so young is taken so unexpectedly, it is impossible for man to fathom God’s ways. Their daughter, Francine, is only four years old and my godson, Amiel, is only two, make it even more heart-wrenching.
I wondered if its possible that God in all his goodness, also has lapses and moments of inattention to our plight?
In the bigger picture, could it be possible that God also sometimes forgets the serious situation for our people, considering the venalities, the deterioration of morals and values of our leaders and the ills in governance causing untold difficulties on our hapless people?
These times, truth and justice seem like very scarce commodities in this benighted land. Even Ervin, with his principles and selfless acts, but who has done absolutely nothing illegal suffers in detention while the real criminals are unfettered and enjoying their foul lives to the fullest.
When Marlyn took her last breath, she was wearing a T-shirt which I gave not too long ago. The white T-shirt she wore has my profile and the words, “For what is true, for what is just, for what is right.”
It now becomes perfectly clear to me why she chose to have it on when crossing the river and appearing before the Great White throne.
Those words must have been in her last conscious thoughts and if indeed God can do with some reminders, he can read them loud and clear. Maybe being taken from loved ones and friends so young is too difficult to comprehend, but take comfort that, “for those who believe and love God, nothing irredeemable can happen.”
Her memory lives in our hearts as we remember all the wonderful things about her." -BGEN DANNY LIM
Background about the shirt:
A few hours before Marlyn went into coma, she was sweating profusely and her clothes had to be changed. The first thing that Ervin found in her bag was the large-size shirt with General Lim’s image and the patriotic quotation.
At Marlyn’s deathbed, Ervin quipped to Aloy Lim, “Tingnan mo si Marlyn, mahal na mahal niya si General Lim. Suot-suot pa niya ang T- shirt.”
7 comments:
I read the above article with tears in my eyes, and prayed that God would now hear the prayers of the brave men led by Gen. Lim and their supporters.
Gen. Lim should not despair. It’s God’s way of proving our faith and willingness to follow His Law. As the Bible says, The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.” (Ps. 11: 5-7)
As Job also said, “10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job23: 10)
Truth and justice will always triumph in the end,but for how much longer, iyan ang tanong.
Walang sinabi iyong mga padasal ni Gloria at dasal ng mga alipores niya gaya ni Duraza sabi nga sa dasal na mga taimtim na nananalig sa Diyos. Just a little longer when the people have learned to try to abide by God’s rules!!!
“For what is true. For what is right”. To her last breath, Marlyn Divinagracia wore the words that she and her spouse, our brave soldiers and their spouses, and like-mided citizens shall never cease to speak with great expectations and with the undying hope that each and every Filipino will be inspired to do his part and stop at nothing, even death, to profess true love for our country. And our countrymen.
Her mortal being may have passed but surely her spirit lives on to keep the fires of fervor burning in our hearts. We shall not let her down.
God bless her soul. May God also bless ours.
Naluha ako ng mabasa ko yung sinabi ni Gen. Danny Lim. At the same time nagngitngit din ako sa aking nabasa. Pero sa isang banda, marahil, inaani na ng mga Pilipino ang kaparusahan dahil sa pangyayari noong 2001. Sa dami ng mga walang prinsipyong pinaninindigan, mas minabuti pa nilang suportahan kung ano ang mali. Marami kasi yung nasa kapangyarihan noon. Pero hindi alintana sa kanila kung ano ang sasapitin sa pagbibigay ng suporta sa mali. Nadagdagan pa noong 2004. Sa halip na panagutin ang mga may sala, pinagtakpan pa sila noong mga taong may kapangyarihan para maiwasto ang isang pang mali.
Ngayon, kung tatayo ka para iwasto ang isang mali, ituturin kang kaaway ng maling gobyerno. Kamusta na kaya yung Brig. General at isang Colonel ng Phil. Marines na nagsiwalat ng dayaan sa Mindanao?
Siguro, kung matututo ang bawat Pilipino at magigising, doon lang tayo ulit magkakaroon ng kaginhawahan at makakamit natin yung hustisya.
This is life’s mystery that humans will never find an answer.
To think that a young mother of two small kids and a wife of a husband that is being held in prison for fighting what is right for the people and country has been called upon by her creator at a very young age is so unfair.
Why? Why not God deal with people who brought sufferings to the people. Why not God deal with those people who kill, cheat and rob it’s own people, like the occupants of the palace and their gang. Ah, but that is the mystery of life. God always works in His own mysterious ways and if it is His will, He has reasons for it.
May she rests in peace.
Even up to her last moments, Marlyn kept her husband’s and the Tanay Boys’ legacy alive. She is an angel who will be guiding our incarcerated soldiers to carry the torch of righteousness!
Marlyn, may you finally rest in peace.
General Lim must have made an impact on Marlyn for her to carry a shirt with the General’s picture and slogan on it. This must really mean a lot to the General.
It is always difficult to write a eulogy as it is hard to express grief especially if someone truly special has chosen to lay in God\\\'s bosom while in her youth still. Your eulogy for Marlyn is so beautifully written, I hope that, should I decide to meet my Maker sooner than I can fathom, you will write a eulogy for me too. Am sure it will be one hell of a piece. Ah, one heaven of piece pala.
How is Ervin doing? Was he under your command?
Do write me when you feel like it.
I almost drop a tear reading this article. I was just looking for a site about the online magdalo registration when I happen to read this. Nakakalungkot nga isipin na ang mga nasa itaas are enjoying their freedom at ang iba dyan na kahit walang kasalanan ay nabibilanggo, napaka-greedy nitong ating gobyerno ngayon. I hope my fellow youth would realize how bad the situation is now, pinapalamig lang nila ang panahon but am sure quitely they are doing moves to possibly extend the term of these corrupt president. Shame to those who voted to kill the impeachment, I am still hoping for a thing that could possibly enlighten the people na kahit malapit na ang 2010, we should not wait kng makakaya natin pababain si gloria ngayon.
To Marlyn's family, sana biyayaan sila ng Poong Maykapal ng magandang buhay at maging matatag sa mga pagsubok na darating.
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