TADO Tribute

PRESS RELEASE OF THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF TADO JIMENEZ
11 February 2014

Arvin “Tado” Jimenez passed away last February 7, 2014 in a bus accident in Bontoc, Mountain Province that claimed the lives of 15 passengers. Tado had been working on a series of travel-themed videos and book project titled “40 Mountains”, another one of his many advocacies for the environment.

Tado who was supposed to turn 40 on March 24, believed that since life begins at 40, every one should make it a point to connect with the environment as life begins in the mountains. For Tado, it is not enough to explore the mountains but we should also contribute in restoring it. On the time of his death, Tado was on his way to start his climb up towards his “40 Mountains” project.

As news broke out on the bus accident, his family immediately sought the help of friends for any information about the situation in Bontoc. Upon learning the confirmation of his death, many friends and colleagues expressed their intention to assist the family in retrieving the remains of Tado at the Bontoc General Hospital. His brother-in-law, Joel Ramoso, who represented the family, was accompanied by close friend, Poklong Anading, and Dakila members Kate Lim and Stephanie Tan. The group Rocked led by Gang Badoy also assisted in retrieving the body of Tado from Bontoc.

The remains of Marcial “Don” Barranda Jr., Tado’s companion in his trip to Bontoc, were also transported in the same hearse, to Manila. Tado was brought straight to Paket Funeral Homes in Marikina. The family had a private time with Tado last Sunday morning and celebrated the birthday of his youngest daughter, Tila, through a simple party. The wake was opened for public viewing at 2:00 in the afternoon last Sunday.

According to Leni Velasco, spokesperson of the family and Tado’s co-founder in Dakila, “The family was truly overwhelmed by the outpour of support and love for their “Ama”. While they would have wanted a more private and intimate wake for Tado, they recognized that Tado’s life had touched so many and it is only fitting that the public be also given the opportunity to see Tado for one last time to express their appreciation and say their goodbyes”.

Tribute programs were held on the last two nights of his wake. Last Monday, colleagues from the NGO community recalled in their speeches how Tado generously gave his talent and time to help them push forward their advocacies. Oxfam International, Philippine Climate Justice Movement, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, Greenpeace, the Philippine Air Lines Employees Association (PALEA) and the Partido ng Manggagawa were just some of the organizations that paid tribute to Tado. Later that evening, classmates, teachers and friends from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines where Tado studied Clinical Psychology paid their own tribute as well.

The night ended with the heartwarming program organized by Panday Pira, the cultural organization in PUP where Tado was President in his college days. During the end of the program, a collage of colorful post-its was transformed into a beautiful artwork forming Tado’s face. His wife, Lei Jimenez, in her brief message to their friends, recollected that it was in Panday Pira where the love story of Tado and Lei started.

On the last night of the wake, PLM, BMP, and Sanlakas paid homage to their fallen comrade. His SuporTADO Ka Movement who expressed their support for Tado when he ran in the past local elections in Marikina were present all through out the wake and remained committed volunteers that served Tado till his remaining days with them.

The most emotional tribute came from his friends from the artist community and Dakila, the organization he co-founded with Lourd de Veyra, Ronnie Lazaro, Buwi Meneses and Noel Cabangon. Fellow artists Dong Abay and Bayang Barrios offered touching songs. Visual artist Romeo Lee and filmmaker Jim Libiran, Jeepney Joyride vocalist Norman Bernardo, Gang Badoy of Rocked recalled Tado’s wit, distinct humor, brilliance and dedication to his art and advocacy. Videos of Tado’s previous work were screened during the program.

One of the highlights of the night was the tribute from the Brewrats – the team behind the cult TV hit Strangebrew and Brewrats Radio, composed of Director RA Rivera, Jun Sabayton, Angel Rivero and Ramon Bautista. Their successful team up with Tado drove the show to gather thousands of fans called The Brewsters. His Brewrats family was one of those who quickly responded to help retrieve his remains, organized, and raised funds for his funeral.

Dakila paid homage to the heroism of Tado through a video presentation that drove most of the audience to tears. The video highlighted the life of Tado as he lived by his principle, “Ang Mabuhay Nang Dahil Sa Iyo” – to be a hero not by dying for the country but for living your life in service of the people. Dakila founders, Noel Cabangon, Ronnie Lazaro, Buhawi Meneses and Leni Velasco gave highly emotional speeches. According to Noel Cabangon, “ Ang laki ng gusto naming gawin. Ginusto naming kayong maging bayani lahat. Hindi pa tayo tapos, ipagpapatuloy natin.”

Leni Velasco, addressing the crowd of Dakila members said, “Nawala man ang pundasyon ng ating organisasyon, iniwan niyang matatag ang bawat haligi nito. Kaya tayo nandito ngayon sa Dakila ay dahil may isang Tado na nangahas mangarap, kumilos, naniwala at nanindigan na lahat tayo, kaya nating maging isang dakila.”

For the first time since his death last Friday, the entire family, faced the public and expressed their gratitude to their support and love for Tado. Tado’s eldest daughter, Taja, sang the Beatles’ song Blackbird, a song that Lei recalled Tado wanted Taja to learn to sing. Diosa, Tado’s second daughter, addressed the crowd in tears as she shared her memories of her “Ama” and how thankful she is that her “Ama” raised them differently as it allowed them to embrace their individuality and grow as well rounded individuals with courage to pursue their dreams. Finally, Lei, Tado’s wife, spoke in behalf of the family and thanked everyone who helped and showed their love for Tado. She shared that, when she talked to her children about the death of their beloved “Ama”, she told her children that their family is not rich but in the next few days of the wake they will witness how rich their “Ama” really is.

The past few days showed the outpour of support for Tado. Friends, colleagues, comrades, fans of Tado and people from all walks of life contributed their resources to assist the family of Tado. According to the family’s spokesperson, “This overwhelming support has truly helped ease the grief of the family of Tado. They wish to thank everyone who showed their support and assisted them in this difficult time.”

Friends from the artistic community, NGOs, fellow Marikina residents, school mates from PUP and fans donated money, and volunteered their services during the wake to give Tado a funeral he deserved.  Tado’s friend and colleague, Willie Revillame, shouldered the funeral expenses, supporters from Marikina and members of his political organizations took care of the logistics of the wake, and his closest friends from Brewrats, Rocked and Dakila organized the retrieval of his remains, arrangements for the wake and cremation. Every person Tado has touched, in their own way, contributed to support the family.

Tado’s family will work closely with friends in the pursuit of justice not only for Tado but also for all victims of the bus tragedy. In the next days, the family will take the necessary steps to reach out to fellow victims and coordinate efforts to pursue justice. Last Monday, February 10, the family wrote to DOTC Secretary Abaya and LTFRB Chairperson Ginez to seek justice for them and the other victims. They appealed to government to help all the victims of this tragedy.

The remains of Tado were cremated today at 9:00 am and were brought to the Loyola Memorial Park Ossuary. The family and friends of Tado would like to thank everyone who loved Tado all through out his life and in his death. The family wishes that the public continue to honor his life by treading the path of the modern day heroism he pursued – Ang mabuhay nang dahil sa ‘yo.