Families and friends of the fallen Tarlac 1st district Rep. Charlie Cojuangco honored his 40th day in heaven.
A virtual mass was conducted on April 2 and 3 and officiated by Fr. Jerry Orbos. Michelle Barrera Juban, Charlie’s godchild, shared the link on her Instagram account for the memorial service on Instagram.
It was attended by his brother, Mark Cojuangco, and wife Kimi, his sister Tina Cojuangco-Barrera and husband Mike, and some of his nieces and nephews. The late Tarlac solon’s wife, China Cojuangco, was also present.
Friends like Ramon Ang, Francisco Tiu-Laurel were among the attendees and relatives from the Cojuangco-Lagdameo, Cojuangco-Yulo also attended.
In his homily, Fr. Orbos spoke of love and reminded listeners to remember Charlie as the happy and smiling man he is known to be.
The family gave their messages as well. Mark thanked his younger brother’s wife for giving him happiness.
“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa Panginoon na nabigyan ng pagkakataon na muling magkaroon ng magandang samahan sa aking bunsong kapatid na si Charlie. Nakita ko po ang kanyang saya na matagal nang nawala sa kanya dahil naging biyudo nga.
“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat kay China dahil nandoon po nagmula ang kanyang kasiyahan. Thank you for that China. Maraming salamat sa pagiging isang napaka-nagmamahal na kapatid. Mahal kita Charlie. You did well bro,” he said.
Charlie’s godchild, Michelle, thanked him for being the “perfect Ninong.”
“He’s also my ninong, and Tito Charlie was the perfect ninong. He didn’t give in material goods but he give in prayer; he never smothered us but was always there when it matters most; he never killed the fun but joined in; and he never forced us one way or another but instead offered guidance and advocated for our good. He was a person who showed love through action and not just words and gifts.
“As a Tito, he was someone we had fun with us kids; he was the person we were terrified of as teenagers when we would get into trouble. You know, experiment, go out with friends, or for the girls, I guess when we had boys making ligaw, he was the one we were terrified of. He was also the one who became our best friend, barkada, and our eating buddy as we became adults.
“I’m thankful for the life I had with my Ninong in it; I am thankful that my parents chose him to be my ninong because he was the perfect ninong and; I am thankful that I was a witness to his love and care firsthand.
“Although it’s been tough to let him go, and it’s been a very sad time for us in our family, a part of me is also happy for him. Because I know now there’s no suffering, no frustration or sadness, or pain. I know that he will continue to live on in our hearts and memories forever.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who showed Tito Charlie the kind of love he so readily gave us through his short, and full life. I know how much he appreciated each and every one of you and he will continue to pray for you in heaven.”
His sister, Tina, assured the bereaved wife that they would always be there for her.
“I hope you continue to give us your stories about Charlie in one way or another. Thank you, everyone. China, just a quick words from Kimi and myself, you will always have us as a sister. We would go through this journey together. It doesn’t end here, it just begins. We love you and thank you,” she expressed.
Last to give her message was his wife, China, who has now gained a new family in her late husband.
“I lost a husband, but I gained a brother, a sister, a sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, and I gained all of you aunts and cousins, thank you so much. It will be our first wedding anniversary on the 7th, so please do keep us in your thoughts. It will also be his birthday on the 14th. So with love and—would remember him during that days,” she shared.
Charlie was vying for a third term as Tarlac’s 1st district congressman in the May 2022 polls before his passing. His son, Jaime, substituted him.
