I first met Marvin, or Mar as we fondly call him, when I would pay Bro Totoy Manlises a visit in their former home and shop along Juan Luna Street many years ago. As President of the Apostleship of Prayer-Youth then, I coordinated our group's activities with Bro Totoy who was the Parish Pastoral Council's Worship Committee Chair at that time. Mar was working in the shop's office downstairs and would often be the point of reference if one would look for his employer.
I worked with him in the parish the first time when Mike Flores, who was President of the Parish Youth Council, asked us to be part of the choir to represent the parish in the Vicariate's Christmas Concert in Gagalangin in 1993. We sung Halina sa Belen. We had a great time in that event meeting fellow parishioners and representatives from various parishes. That event paved the way for us working side-by-side.
As Editor-in-Chief of Anluwage at that time, I worked closely with some members, one of which was Mar. As the newsletter was relying solely on donations, we have to look for sponsors and donors to help us publish the newsletter. Mar looked after this in coordination with Vlad Reyes, the newsletter's Treasurer.
Holy Week 1994 saw Anluwage taking charge of the annual Stations of the Cross held every Good Friday, as part of its agreement with the Silent Arms of St Joseph (SASJ). The SASJ used to organize this event in the past. A week before Holy Week, after the 9:30am Sunday Mass, Mar and I (along with the 14 pictures of the Stations of the Cross) rode a sidecar throughout the parish. We knocked at some doors and asked residents if their home could represent one of the stations. The residents, some of which we do not know personally, agreed. We then handed to them a picture of the station of the Cross they would represent come Good Friday. Good Friday came and there was a considerable number of parishioners who joined. Mar was busy with the sound system on a side car, Aye Balla was in-charge of the songs, Mike Flores looked after the flow of the procession, etc.
I worked again with Mar when Anluwage staged Pitong Hapis, Pitong Tuwa (Ang Dula ng Buhay ni San Jose) in Gagalangin in 1997 and 1998. Mar, in his jolly self, told me how he has to switch roles from shepherd in one scene to a priest in another, from a parent in one scene to a townsfolk in another. No matter how various roles he played there (as well as in other events organized by the group), Mar did not complain. He joyfully carried out whatever role he was entrusted with. He generously lent a hand where he is needed.
We worked together again when I served as a lector/commentator for the Children's Mass in Gagalangin in 1997 and later at the Manila Cathedral in 1998. He was a member of the Spiritus Domini Choir. The choir and I served in the same Mass. After Mass, we would congregate at what used to be the Cathedral lounge for breakfast and would usually go home together riding 2 jeepneys - one from Intramuros to Blumentritt and another from Blumentritt to Gagalangin.
The last time I saw Mar, as well as his daughter Cyrene (RIP), was in 2006 during Anluwage's reunion in our house. Still, we kept in touch through social media.
A few days ago, I was shocked to hear the sad news of his untimely demise. A husband, a worker, a church and community volunteer was suddenly snatched by a gunman's bullet. Thirty years ago, I lost another friend from a shooting incident. I feel that this is a wake-up call for our society to rethink, revisit, and thrash out gun culture.
Our hearts go out to Connie and family in this time of sorrow and bereavement. Hindi natutulog ang Diyos. He hears Mar's blood crying from the ground (cf. Gen 4:10) and will see to it that justice is done to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night (Lk 18:7).
Mar, thank you for your friendship and support. May the angels bring your kind soul before God where there is peace, forgiveness, and healing.
