Wilfredo Guzman

Above all, I thank the Lord, Jesus Christ for giving me a father like my late father -- Wilfredo
Cristobal Guzman. We used to call him ‘Popsy’. It was too soon, dreadful to know that after a
short jog with a close friend, he felt different and next thing we know, he is in comatose. Only
days he stayed in Philippine Heart Center just waiting for me to come back home and hear my voice
and finally accept that he is coming back home to our Lord, God Almighty. He died because of septic
shock with fem-fem bypass as the doctor said.
As far as I remember, Popsy was a humble person, a generous creature, kind-hearted and a jolly
person. He has been connected with the government for 38 years. Just got retired at the age of 61
last April 2009. He was strong enough to hide from us, his family, that he has a disease such as
diabetes. He spent his last days with my family especially taking care of Zionne, our new baby at
home, the daughter of my sister, Mayleen. Everything was so normal, he used to jog, go to market
for food, cook, stay inside his room and the routine he do. No one knows he is suffering from any
disease even us, his family as well as his close friends.
It was still fresh in my memory all the so-called ‘last things we had together’. Our long jog
at the corniche in Doha-Qatar, the hug in Doha airport, with Sandeep (newly found friend) during
their return to Philippines from a short visit to Doha-Qatar where I work, the short chat while
jogging, the birthday dinner with Sandeep, Cristy and Sandra, the birthday gift of gold bracelet,
the time to take photos with each other, and most of all, the moment when I saw him raised his hand
for the first time during our 1St Anniversary Worship Service at ABVCIM Doha-Qatar chapter with
tears from his eyes, following a simple prayer of acceptance of salvation that comes from believing
in the name of Jesus Christ!
All these happened from the 2nd of August when I arrived from Doha to Manila until now, I consider
it as a history and a story to tell and share with others, how great and mighty are the works of the
Lord even in times of sorrow and painful moments that we experienced! Blessings flow from one end
to another, it flows and overflows and until now, my heart beats fast and tears just rolled down
when I recall all the miraculous things I witnessed during the death of my father, his wake and
interment!
Popsy, congratulations for graduating from this earthly life and now enjoying your eternal life with
our Lord, God Almighty! Tell Jesus, we miss you!