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We will miss you, Neonate.

The April 24, 2010 post in Neonate’s blog, “Winks and Blinks” says:

This is Grace, the daughter of neo.nate. My family and I regret to inform you that my father passed away on April 19, 2010. Thank you for taking an interest in his blog and his writings – it was one of the things that kept him going during his retirement. We miss him very much. RIP Dad.

A page in Neonate's blog
A page in Neonate's blog

I only knew Neonate online but I can say that I have been enriched by his participation in this blog. I will miss him too.

I looked at my blog archives and would you believe, Neonate’s comments covered 30 pages since 2005. He was one of the early participants in this blog.


In one of his comments, he worried about the absence of public outrage over Gloria Arroyo’s abuses which are staple topics in this blog.

He said, ” My gambit into Ellenville is to stimulate diversity of viewpoints and debates to break the tedium of consensus – a devil’s advocate. But first I would like to make a worrisome observation about public opinion, mainly the absence of public outrage on issues that posters rant about in this blog. Could the reason be because most of the passionate, intense, patriotic Pinoys are abroad and few are left at home?”

In his introduction to his blog, he gave us a glimpse of his personal life.

“Upon retirement, I took up writing as a hobby to stay active mentally. I wrote a weekly article in a tabloid paper but quit when I sensed that my written opinions were not in harmony with the advocacies of the paper’s publisher. Since then, I would express my opinions and rant in an occasional letter to a newspaper editor on some current hot issue. Now it seems that the writing bug has inflicted an op-ed relapse. Blogging is my latest mode of shouting in the wilderness. “I shot an arrow into the air. It fell to earth I knew not where.” Who knows, someone may even read the blogs titled Winks and Blinks. As in the tabloid articles, the topics are free wheeling and free-style, but usually of public interest and at times of an emerging issue.

“Surfing health websites about the ageing brain and memory confirmed that an active brain does stave off memory loss. Medical research found that the brain is like a muscle — the more you use it, the stronger it gets and it stays strong longer. A brain stimulated by reading, learning and other activities requiring thought and imagination helps avert memory loss, although illness such as diabetes, stress, insomnia, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, even prescriptive medication, cause memory to deteriorate with age.”

He described himself as “I am a bloody Flip, the pejorative word for Pinoy or Filipino (a native of the Philippines) as denigrating a word as the Ugly American WASP — white Anglo Saxon protestant. You bet I am a senior citizen, as grumpy as they come and proud to be one, senior that is.

“ But pride cannot replace the nostalgia of remembering dear friends and kin who have departed this life, who enriched my own life by inspiring me with their virtues and humbling me with their faults. Sure, longevity is a privilege but has drawbacks, I suppose. No more poker or bridge playmates.”

If I guessed it right, Neonate is based in the United States but his heart is in the Philippines. He commented on August 27, 2009: “2010 to me is more than the year an evil regime is banished, and a fresh start for this miserable nation. But hope for recovery is contingent on a President that is rock-firm on decency, and the emerging candidates are not inspiring. So, like Diogenes, I continue my search for an honest man to lead the nation. Until now.

He is an ardent Noynoy Aquino supporter. He commented in September 2009: “The diversity of opinions about the prospective Noynoy presidency is delightful, but there is one consensus about his character — he is a decent person. To me, decency means a clear conscience, a quality apparently missing in the Arroyo brood and some of the putative candidates for the presidency. It is my hope that the electorate, including Anna and Tongue, will finally decide in favor of decency in the 2010 contest.

“In reply to the query:’Noynoy may be decent but what about the people who will be running the country ‘behind his back’. Like the Kamaganak, Inc., nuong panahon ni Cory?’

“My response —

“Granted Noynoy is carrying some heavy baggage, mostly inherited. As some here commented,“a guy whose greatest accomplishment so far is being the child of his parents”, and the millstone burden of a brat sister whose taste in paramours is terrible and whose logorrhea is unparalleled (posing a risk that sibling advise may escape the decency filter). That only proves he is human, just like us.

“Granted too that the Kamaganak syndrome is a potent threat, but that would be true to ANY presidency, and the well entrenched hegemonies still are the present day warlords of their fiefs — the oligarches, political dynasties, the bureaucrat-business partners in corruption. It will take more than one presidential term to dismantle, but a determined honest man (remember Diogenes) can initiate the trend towards a decent society.”

Where ever he is now, reading reports of how Aquino is faring, Neonate must be smiling broadly.

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24 Comments

  1. What a beautiful eulogy, Ellen! Neonate will be doubly pleased.

    I will miss, not only his articulate posts but his regular email to me.

  2. Thanks, Anna for informing me about his passing.

    It’s heartening how internet has brought us together,sharing thoughts and ideas.

  3. norpil norpil

    thanks to you too ellen for this nice one on neonate. may he rest in peace.

  4. MPRivera MPRivera

    Nakakalungkot naman.

    Paalam, kosa.

  5. henry90 henry90

    Yes. Neonate is one decent and insightful blogger here in Ellenville. I enjoyed his posts, just like Anna’s, especially those that have connection with my first love, the sea. . . Requiescat in Pace our dear friend. . .May you have fair winds, clear skies and following seas in your blissful journey to the after life. . .

  6. chi chi

    Neonate site was my source of nutrients and healthy foods. 🙂 I learned a lot of new stuff from him, he was my email buddy, too.

    Sure gonna miss you, Orly. So long….

  7. Mike Mike

    Good bye Neonate, may you rest in peace.

  8. chi chi

    This is a beautiful eulogy to a beautiful soul that is Neonate.

  9. Rest your oars, Orly, as we continue to drift in the violent seas; in search for a captain to plot the course ahead. You’ve made your final voyage, you’ve sailed well.

    We will miss you, sailor.

  10. ocayvalle ocayvalle

    my deepest sympathy to the family and love ones of neonate..
    rest and peace and we sure gonna miss you.. my prayers will be with you always..!!

  11. MY GREATEST DAY

    What will you do
    On the day of my death
    When the time finally comes
    I draw my last breath

    When it first happens
    I begin floating above
    Looking down now
    At the ones that I love

    My final sunset
    Is already done
    I’ve waited and waited
    For this day to come

    My body has grown tired
    Serves no earthly purpose
    Remember I’ve gone now
    To God’s holy service

    Faces I see are pale and sad
    Hearts almost broken
    No more of my words to hear
    Will ever be spoken

    Tears are now falling
    Like the early spring rains
    But why are they crying
    I no longer feel pain

    Cry no more tears
    Because I’m no longer in sight
    I’ve started a new life
    On this very night

    My heart is alive
    In a total new way
    As though I just awoke
    To start a new day

    The songs that I sing
    Are those very old
    The streets that I walk
    Are the brightest of gold

    One life is over
    But the best one begins
    This is not a sad loss
    But a heavenly win

    This place where I am
    Everything is so bright
    The wings that I wear
    Are whiter than white

    The wings that I wear
    In my heavenly home
    Nothing like this
    Have you ever known

    Be happy for me
    No more stormy weather
    Cry no more tears
    I’m living in heaven
    For ever and ever

    Written by: Pamela Haworth

  12. sychitpin sychitpin

    reading Ellen’s eulogy and bloggers opinion,i conclude Neonate was a good man, a great soul who chose to carry the torch of decency amidst a dark and windy hill……

  13. Your memory lives on…

  14. florry florry

    Everybody has to reach the end of one’s life journey, Una-una nga lang.

    Rest in peace, Neonate.

  15. balweg balweg

    Tuloy ang laban Igan Neonate…isa kang inspirasyon upang lalo kaming maging inspirado na ipagpatuloy ang bukas na kaisipan para sa ating Inang Bayan at Kapwa-Kababayang Pinoy.

    Sumalangit nawa ang inyong kaluluwa at pagpalain ka ng Panginoon!

    We love you. God Bless!

  16. rose rose

    Eternal rest grant unto him Oh Lord, and may perpetual light shine unto him. May he rest in peace. Condolences to the family..you were indeed blessed and thank you for sharing him with us here in Ellenville..

  17. MPRivera MPRivera

    ANG AKING DAKILANG ARAW

    Bawat isa ay mayroong sa ati’y araw na itinakda
    Kung kailan tayo haharap sa ating Tagapaglikha
    Doo’y Kanyang huhusgahan sa mundo’y ating mga gawa
    Siya ang magsasabi kung ano ang mabuti, ano ang lisya.

    Sa pagdating sandaling yaong paglalayag sa kawalan
    Kung saan ay may lambong ng lungkot ang paglisan
    Mula roo’y tatanawin namimighating ating mahal
    Gustuhin ma’y hindi na magagawang yakapin sila’t hagkan.

    Sa pagdatal ng dapithapong hudyat nitong takipsilim
    Sa buhay ng bawat isa’y may baong ding panimdim
    Sa paghigit ng huling hibla ng hininga’y may naisin
    Magkaroon ang kahandaang si Bathala ay haharapin.

    Pagal na ang katawang lupang kay laon nang nagnanais
    Mamahinga nang mapanatag ang hapo ko na ring isip
    Kay tagal na iniaalay mga pagsisikap at pagsasakit
    Sa inyong aking maiiwang minamahal ko’t iniibig.

    Huwag sanang ikalungkot, huwag luha ang ipabaon
    Sa paglisang hinihintay, inaasam ko nang malaon
    Huwag ikadurog niyong puso bagkus ay bigyang tugon
    Pagkakaisa’t pagmamahalang sa bawat isa ay iukol.

    Humayo kayo’t ipagdiwang itong aking paglalakbay
    Ang pagharap ko sa Maykapal huwag bahiran ng kalungkutan
    Kayo’y aking hihintayin sa kandungan Niya ay hihimlay
    Doo’y samasama nating tamasahin ang luwalhati ng bagong buhay!

  18. Paalam, ‘Nong Orly!

    Everytime I go back home to Cagayan de Oro, I had always kept the hope that I would bump into you, shake your hands, and finally see the man behind a kind of eloquence I had always admired. Now, that hope is dead.

    We had always looked forward to the day when Aling Gloria would finally be just a sorely sour footnote in Philippine history books. “If” was not a point of contention. It was only a matter of “when”. We placed our bets, and Pareng Cocoy agreed to be the bet keeper. Now, it looks like you won’t be there anymore to claim your prize… tunga na lang mi ni Pareng Cocoy, ha?

    See you in the future, ‘Nong Orly!

  19. saxnviolins saxnviolins

    The observations were sharp, but the tone wasn’t. He was always civil. I hope the family is consoled by the fact that he seemed to have enjoyed the remaining years of his life.

    Rest in peace Sir. We will all rest when she is in pieces.

  20. mbw mbw

    as i read this post, I hear taps sounding for neonate. Rest in peace, sir!

  21. luzviminda luzviminda

    Rest your soul in the presence of our Lord God, Neonate. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights. Condolence to the family.

  22. tru blue tru blue

    “Everybody has to reach the end of one’s life journey, Una-una nga lang.” -florry

    The kind of race ayokong mauna. Kulelat na lang ako pag ganito, hehe…
    Even here pag lamayan, konti ang nakikiramay; pag away at personalan, labas ang mga langgam, tsk….tsk…tsk.

    Well, Neonate di man tayo nagkakilala; rest peacefully and my sincere condolences to your loved ones. Cheers in Heaven.

  23. zen2 zen2

    My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Neonate’s bereaved family.

    While we sometimes part ways on a political point, I always scan forward and ponder on his commentaries. And definitely would dearly miss his gentlemanly, never taunting, polite yet crisp and hard take on issues.

    Neonate’s passing not only a loss to his family and friends—in addition to this blog, a big loss to decent-Pinoy writing community.

    May your final sail, Sir, sends you to the sea of peace and tranquility.

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