Romualdez was city mayor from 1998-2007
TACLOBAN CITY — The remains of former Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez arrived in the city Tuesday afternoon, drawing hundreds of residents who gathered to pay their last respects to the late patriarch of one of Leyte’s most prominent political families.
A Philippine Air Force plane carrying Romualdez’s body landed at the Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport) around 2:30 p.m. The hearse then proceeded to the family’s ancestral home along Real Street, where his casket was placed for public viewing.
Romualdez, who served as Tacloban City mayor for three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2007, passed away on October 17 at the age of 91 due to multiple organ failure, according to his son, incumbent Mayor Alfred Romualdez.
“He died peacefully in his sleep, and we decided not to revive him because it was already multiple organ failure,” the younger Romualdez told reporters following a requiem mass.
The late mayor’s remains will lie in state for several days before being laid to rest on Saturday, October 25, at the Romualdez family mausoleum in Olot, Tolosa, Leyte, about 26 kilometers from Tacloban City.
While the elder Romualdez had wished to hold his wake at their residence in Algo Subdivision, San Jose District, Mayor Romualdez said the family decided to transfer the wake to the Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum, another Romualdez ancestral property, to accommodate the public and avoid disrupting nearby residents.
“We wanted to give everyone who loved and respected him the chance to say goodbye properly,” the mayor said.
Earlier this week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Bejo’s sister, paid their respects during a private viewing at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City.
“Kami-kami lang ang nandoon. She (Imelda) stayed there for about two hours to mourn,” Mayor Romualdez recalled.
A respected local leader, Bejo Romualdez was known for his hands-on governance and for guiding Tacloban through key development programs during his tenure. He was instrumental in improving basic infrastructure and public services at a time when the city was rebuilding its post-war identity.
Mayor Romualdez said his father had fulfilled one of his life’s wishes — to live until the age of 90.
“He often told us he wanted to reach 90. He did — and more. His life was a gift to our family and to Tacloban,” he said.
Since Tuesday evening, city officials, barangay leaders, and residents have flocked to the wake to offer prayers and pay tribute to the former mayor, remembered by many as a humble, quiet, yet steadfast leader devoted to Tacloban’s growth.
Public viewing will continue at the Santo Niño Shrine until October 25, when the late mayor will be brought to Tolosa for interment.
JOEY A. GABIETA
