Though I only met you once at the Greek restaurant when I was with my husband, Dell, who knew you from dialysis clinic, Dell told he actually liked you and I have a lot of respect for your wife, Jemima, as coworker. May you rest well with the Lord.

See you in the morning. Love from Manang Leni

The Life of Edgar T. Verde, Part I
By
Edward W. Verde

My Dad, Edgar, was born in December of 1945 the second child of Francisco T. Verde and Esther Tiangha. I have vaguely remember of stories how he was delivered in a place called Nabali-an, near the town of Aguisan just after the Great War. It was an inconsequential place when I visited it once. They were fleeing from the Japanese occupation of Bacolod City at that time, my Lola Esther used to say. His family would eventually settle in Talaban where he grew up as one of 4 children. His older sister, Leni, younger brothers Alva and Francis were raised in a two story house, near a river. There was no electricity. Life was simple back then. Light at night came from kerosene lamps. My Lolo Paking once told me, when he was still with the living, of how his family grew up in the area of Binalbagan, Talaban, and Himamaylan. Dad added later during the years how Lolo's mother, from the family of Tungson lived in the same area. School for most children became a priority. However my Dad was more interested in extracurricular activities like skipping school and fishing. He loved to go to their fish farm. He later, when he had his own children, brought us there when we lived in Himamaylan. Saturday afternoons almost became a ritual driving from Himamaylan to Talaban and walking along Mangrove trees, on top of the levy, to the house of the caretaker. He taught us kids how to fish. We followed his example of tying a nylon line on the tip of a well-chosen bamboo stick with the right girth and length. He showed us how to anchor the hook to the line and place the bait. One of the memories I had growing up was catching so much Tilapias the we filled two large pales bringing it home to the Himamaylan home and cleaning at the back with me and the helper pumping water from a manual pump while my Dad cleaned every fish. He was an expert at that. I could never do the way he gutted and scaled those fishes. I've tried. We gave many of the fishes to our neighbors and kept some for us. We grew to love fried, charcoal-grilled, foil steamed, vinegar based, and soup cooked fish. We even had some properly filleted, salted fish, dried in the sun for a few hours. 

My grandparents, Dad's parents, must have significant priority of educating their children in the Adventist Christian tradition. Since there were no other Seventh-Day Adventist schools in Negros. The stories I've been told then shifted to West Visayan Academy in the island of Iloilo, a two hour boat ride from where Dad's family lived. He enrolled in a boarding school. During his schooling He developed lots of friends including his future partner and wife, Jemima Dionson Cordova. My mom would tell you it was a love affair of the old fashioned kind. It started as being high school sweethearts, followed by a long distance relationship across the Philippines from the south to the north. Their courtship is embodied in Nat King Cole's song, the first words were: They tried to tell us we're too young The romance involved two college institutions, countless sheets of love letters, and a Manila hospital. There was the obligatory approval of parents both sides. Word of mouth from various friends and faculty members became the choice of strategies and investigations. Some of you have better stories of the particulars than I could ever speak in words. Then a short, 3 month engagement followed, and finally a wedding at 6:30 am early April, of 1970. Yes, in the morning. I've seen pictures of the processional with a clock in the background if you have doubts. My mom and dad got married in Manila, less than a week after my Dad graduated from Philippine Union College (PUC). He earned a Bachelor's degree in Commerce. I think he would have preferred to be a military officer. However, my Lola Esther, Dad's mom would have nothing to do with it. You could still see some of my Dad's pictures in uniform from being a Boy Scout to being part of a military medical corps when he was in college. I could tell the pride he felt when telling me those stories. That's probably why my Dad also had a liking for guns. Some of you attending here know how good he was at shooting things. He once took me to an indoor shooting range and tried to teach me how. However, guns and I don't really mix well. 

His other passion was singing. A quartet formed as early as high school. An a cappella group also formed in PUC. He even joined a band. Sir Zamora would be a name I became familiar with. As an oddity though, we have not heard him play a musical instrument when we were growing up. He sang. I loved hearing Mr. Colimbo, Uncle Nene (Hartwell) Tamares, Davin Sabrine, and my dad practiced the old spirituals at our old home in Taculing, Bacolod City. The King's Herald on tape was a notch lower compared to them. 

The couple married at the Manila Center that early April morning then moved to Bacolod City shortly where he worked for the Negros Mission headquarters and my mom as a nurse at Bacolod Sanitarium & Hospital (BSH). The first of three children arrived the following year in August of 1971. My memories of Dad are vague and incomplete during those early years in Taculing, Bacolod. But when we moved to Himamaylan I've had some wonderful experience that I could share. He taught me how to play chess and improved quickly. He would introduce our family to the Tranco's, one of our favorite neighbors. My brother Jay my parent's baby became their baby too. Their kids would have a taste of growing up in Himamaylan just as he did. Travelling to Isyo to know my great grandparents became a regular jaunt. 

In 1978, Dad, Mom, and the three of us brothers moved back to Taculing, Bacolod City living in one of a four unit apartment complex. I had to start school. We had many neighbors including the Victorianos, the Teves', the Quizons, the Tanamals, and others. Dad worked again for the Negros Mission office, and my mom a nurse at BSH. The memories then turn to flashes in the late 70's and early 80's. I have travelled with my Dad and his quartet in different evangelistic outreach meetings. Then he worked in starting Central Philippine Adventist College (CPAC) with many others. Finally in 1984, he immigrated to the United States. Once again he was with his sister, brothers, and his parents my Lolo and Lola after 14 years. While we were in the Philippines, Lola or Lola would visit us infrequently. Mom and we arrived three months later in March of 1985. That was a happy reunion. 

Who was the man, my Dad? He makes lifelong friends easily, a mischievous and fun-long boy who grew up with a simple life philosophy. He was never a man of ambition or who wanted to be a leader but a good follower. As an Adventist, he had a rebellious streak. I would have to say he was never a religious man but displayed flashes spirituality and hints of strong faith in God every now and then. But he loved singing for the church. I am confident that my Dad fought that good fight, finished that race, and kept the faith, and long to see him again someday day when our Hope of Hopes, our Savior and Friend, Jesus triumphantly come to bring us home. In the meantime, we will grieve, and hurt, and cope with a beloved life lost, a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend.

To my dearest Edgar,my best friend,my beloved husband,
You came into my life when I was only a child,when falling in love was even beyond my comprehension.We were classmates as freshmen in West Visayan Academy.Came Valentine's day,Irecieved a Valentine's card,it was from you,my first valentine's card.You paid for the card half of your monthly allowance.Iwas only 11 yrs. old,a month short of my birthday to be 12,you were 14.The following year we were sophomores.A few months after the school opening,Irecieved a love letter,again it was from you,my first love letter.This was followed by more love letters during our Junior & senior years,not very frequent but it was thre to remind me that you were just around loving me.I graduated ahead of you.You said you took your masters degree in high school with only one subject.I went to Mountain View College.Iwas expecting letters from you but no letters came.I thought you got sick of writing to me because you did not get any response.Istarted to miss your letters,I Started to miss you.That year Mountain View College student campaign was for high school seniors from different Academies to visit the college.You came in March only for a weekend.Upon seeing youagain,you gave me a custom made heartshaped key chain that you ordered with my name on one side & 'no other love' & your initial on the other side.It was your birthday present to me,just like all other bithdays were remembered with presents.The presents were acknowledged with thank you but I remained silent.You said you fully understood my silence.You started writing again.The dying ember was rekindled,but you said you never stopped thinking about me and you never stopped loving me.The following,Iwent to Philippine Union college & you went to MVC.You were at the pier when I boarded the ship for Manila.You handed me a letterwith your picture,the first picture you gave me.My heart was breaking because we would be separated again.When I reached PUC,I attempted to write you 3 timesbut the first 2 letters were trashed & I finally mailed the third one.It was the first love letter I have written in my life.Somehow I felt the need to get it off my chest,to let you know of my love for you.You received my letter with jubilation.According to my friends you were jumping up for joy.Ibecame your girlfriend,again my first to have a boyfriend.I guess it's first & last for both of us.Thank you for patiently waiting for me until I was ready to commit to a relationship as your girlfriend.All along you knew that behind my silence I was loving you.You said your only clue that I have feelings for you was because every time you came near me I would blush.For a year it was a long distance love affair.Your letters became very frequent,once or twice a week.
The following year you came to PUC.That gave us a chance to be together & really get to know more of each other before ai moved to the other campus in Pasay for the nursing school.One evening,we attended a vocal concert at the Philamlife building in Manila.During the intermission,we went out to the Japanese garden which was located in the middle of the building.As we were crossing the Japanese bridge,you put your arms around me & gave me a soft & gentle kiss,our first kiss.Lucky us nobody saw us otherwise we could have been disciplined or sent home.We became sweethearts for 6 years.I ws already working in Manila San. & Hosp.for a yearwhile waiting for you to graduate.Three months before you graduation,your father came to Manila & expressed to amars. Tamayo their desire for you to get married because they were coming to the USA to attend the General Conference.They wanted you to take care of the family business.in Himamaylan & the didn't want to leave you ther,single.You made a proposal right awayin January & we got married in April 23,1970,4 days after your graduation.I was 22 & you were 24.
God blessed our home with 3 children,then 4 grandchildren.God gave me you,the most loving,caring,thoughtful husband .My birthdays,valentine's,anniversaries were always remembered with red roses,the reason why you have red roses on your casket now.I have a wonderful life with you because you brought so much love & happiness into my life.You were the best dad to our 3 children[Edward,Lenard & Jay]& aloving lolo to our 4 grandchildren[Jason,Jacob,Mia & Isabella].
Thank you for loving me for the last 56 years of my life,5 years of courtship,6 years of being sweethearts & 45 years of marriage.Thank you for noticing the little things I did for you.You always went out of your way to make my life easier & happier.Thank you for listening,for caring,for encouraging & helping.You made my life so much better than it could have been without you.You were always ther for me in so many ways.I couldn't have loved you more.I felt so very lucky & so loved & I was glad I was married to you.All I wanted was to grow old with you to watch our dreams unfold & to watch our grandchildren grow.Before all of these happened,we planned for more vacations & more fun times with our family & grandchildren.
Our marriage was not perfect.We have disagreements,anger & frustrations.But you always went out of your way to melt that anger away.As you would always do before you went to sleep,you would always hold my hand & never failed to let me know how much you loved me.
As I watchted your life fading away,I felt the uncertainty of my world without you.I prayed for healing mercies & even for a miracle.While you breathing was getting more labored,I prayed for God's will but God's will was to take you away from me,from your family,from friends & from everybody.God's will brought so much pain,heartache & sorrow.But as the days passed,I realized that God loves you & He wanted you to have that needed rest.I prayed & asked God for forgiveness for my wavering faith & doubting His love & His goodness.I prayed for more strength & more faith in God so I will have peace in my heart in this very difficult & trying moments of my life.
In the last afternoon we have together,we were at our back patio & just enjoying the beautiful afternoon.Sitting in the recliners & holding hands,we praised God for His love & goodness to us & how God has helped you to recover from 2 major surgeries,the kidney transplant & the open heart with double bypass graft.I requested you to sing since I haven't heard you sing for a while.With you beautiful voice you sang "Oh promise me that someday you & I, will take our love together to some skies".After the song,I told you that if any of us dies first ,we have to be sure to remain faithful to God so we will  see each other again when Jesus comes.Idid'nt know that it was the last afternoon we would spend together & the last song I would hear from you.Such a beautiful memory,the one I will always cherish in my heart for the rest of my life.
I will continue my journey in this earth with the support & love of our family,our friends & our God.In my heart you will remain to be my best friend,my greatest hero,the constant companion of my soul & the love of my life.I will terribly miss you.
God will keep you safe in His loving arms until I see you in that blessed morning.I promised you in the last afternoon we were together ,I will be there beside you when you wake up & we will never part again.
Sweetheart,I love you forever.

With all my love,
Your wife,Mem

Our Grandfather kept a garden.
 A garden of the heart;
 He planted all the good things,
 That gave our lives their start.

He turned us to the sunshine,
 And encouraged us to dream:
 Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem.

And then the winds and rain came,
 He protected us enough;
 But not too much because he knew
 We would stand up strong and tough.

His constant good example,
 Always taught us right from wrong;
 Markers for our pathway that will last
 a lifetime long.

We are our Grandfather's garden,
 We are his legacy.
 Thank you Grandfather, we love you.
 

 

 
Grandfather Kept a Garden  By Author Unknown

OBITUARY

Mr. Edgar Ed T. Verde

December 10, 1945 – August 11, 2015

Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park and Mortuary

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