Remembering RVO

It's been two years since the death of tycoon Roberto V. Ongpin or RVO, who died in 2023, cradled in the arms of his beloved Balesin.

- IRIS GONZALES

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, there was a memorial mass commemorating his second death anniversary at Alphaland Makati Place which, just like Balesin, is among his well-loved projects.

Unfortunately, I was out of town that day so I missed the event. I am usually away on Feb. 5 because that day happens to be a loved one's birthday. In fact, when I heard the news of his death that cold February morning in 2023, I was in Baguio, supposedly celebrating a happy time. But I remembered being really stunned and sad when I heard the news of his passing that early morning. That moment, Baguio's weather just became colder. RVO, to me, was not just a good and brilliant source but a friend with a great sense of humor.

Last week, I was in Cavite and could not be there for his mass. RVO would not have taken no for an answer. I imagine him, pestering me from the grave with his stern voice: "Hey, come back to Manila now and attend my memorial mass!" That's RVO. He was personal like that. He would call people or write to us himself when he wanted to share something or needed something. Or sometimes, he simply wanted to invite us over to share some of his finest drinks or good food and talk about the crazy political environment in our country.

He knew a lot about the country and played a big role in our society during nearly every pivotal chapter - from Marcos Sr. to Marcos Jr.

Before he died, he wrote his memoirs, but as he told me before, it would only be published after he had kicked the bucket and perhaps, when some people he wrote about had too. Let's wait and see.