He spent most of his years in ministry in Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro, 1972-2007). That’s a good 35 years. He assumed quite a number of posts from teacher, to assistant professor, to principal of the grade school, to student adviser, to assistant director of PJAA – just to name a few. I heard from so many that people in CDO love him, and I am quite sure that he loved the people in CDO as well. Perhaps, his death is a timely reminder for people in CDO not to lose hope despite the devastation brought about by Sendong for now there’s an angel in heaven interceding and praying for them in the person of Fr Jorge.

 

I heard from the Fr. Ben Nebres during last night’s dinner that Fr. Jorge was very passionate about basketball. There was this yearly grade school basketball competition between XU and Atene de Davao. Fr. Oscar Millar cheered for the basketeers from Davao while Fr. Jorge rooted rabidly for his basketeers from XU. I did not ask anymore which team had the most wins, but I can just imagine how it must have been to behold these great Jesuits maybe elbowing each other, even spewing some invectives at each other during the game. Picture Ateneo vs. La Salle during a championship game. 

 

I will not go through the details of how Fr. Jorge was during his “active” ministry. I will leave that to his contemporaries who will also celebrate the Eucharist with us in the succeeding days.

 

What I would like to share with you are the inside stories in the infirmary, Fr. Jorge’s haven since 2007.  I have asked some of the JR Infirmary staff to share with us beautiful memories they have of Fr. Jorge, things they will carry with them long after their “baby” is buried at SHN.

 

“He was a cool and funny guy,” noted one. When Fr. Jorge was asked what someone’s name was, perhaps just to test if Fr. Jorge medications had improved his dementia, Fr. Jorge’s ready response would be “Your name is handsome,” or “Your name is beautiful.”

 

One member of the infirmary staff even drew a cartoon image of Fr. Jorge contentedly seated on a chair, legs pressed together, hands on the thighs. On his left is a basketball, and on the right, a basket filled with bananas. Above the illustrated image of Fr. Jorge are two bubbles that contain his thoughts or, if you wish, his speaking lines. One bubble contains the word “saging” written several times and many “thank-yous,” showing how Fr. Jorge could not resist bananas. To say that he loved bananas is an understatement. He was passionately and deeply enamored with bananas.  Perhaps the same way that he was passionate about basketball. If you wanted to make his day, all you had to do was give him bananas.

 

The other bubble only has three words: “I love you.”

 

Fr. Hogan aptly describes the cartoon depiction of Fr. Jorge in these words:  “‘Thank  you’ and ‘I love you,’ – very regularly these five simple words could be heard trembling from the lips of Fr. Jorge in the course of his dealings with his caregivers at the end of some transaction involving the exchange of what for him was the bread of life: bananas. The spontaneity and sincerity with which such expressions took place revealed to us the reality of Fr. Jorge’s existence as a person which had otherwise been hidden because of his ailment.”

 

Another infirmary staff expresses his deep admiration of Fr. Jorge in these words: “Si Fr. Jorge ay hindi itinuring na isang pasyente sa infirmary kundi isang parte ng pamilya. Pinapaliguan, pinapakain, kinakausap, at inaaruga. Isa lamang si Fr. Jorge sa mga inalaagaan sa infirmary ngunit siya ang nagbibigay ng ngiti sa iyong mga labi at nagpapasaya sa iyong umaga. Ang kanyang paulit-ulit na pagsabi ng ‘saging’ ay isa lamang sa mga hindi makakalimutang salita na kanyang binibigkas araw araw. Sa pagkakataong mabigyan siya ng kanyang gusto, sasabihin niyang “Thank you, I love you, delicious”, mga sinserong (sincere) salita na magpaparamdaman sa iyo na nagpapasalamat siya mula sa puso para sa kaunting bagay na naibigay o naitulong mo sa kanya. One realization I got from him is that there are really simple joys in life. Fr. Jorge was not only a patient, but a a part of the infirmary family, not only a priest, but also a catalyst of joy, of optimism, and of hope – a sign that everyday you’ll see the Lord in the simple things that you experience. We will truly remember Fr. Jorge.”

 

On January 2, shortly before 10:00 am, we rushed to JR infirmary when we heard about Fr. Jorge aspirating his food. The infirmary staff suctioned out whatever they could to clear his airways. Aside from the fluids, they were able to suction a bite-sized piece of banana. I said to myself, “What a nice way to die, eating or having something you really liked.” When we saw him, he was already dead, I think, but what struck me was the serenity in his face. It was a quiet, almost painless, peaceful death.

 

A Jesuit friend upon hearing of Fr. Jorge’s death texted me, “What a sad way to start the New Year.” I remember responding to him, “Maybe, maybe not.” But one thing is sure: Fr. Jorge is now having the time of his life in our Father’s kingdom, where he can continue to be the Father’s baby.

 

- Fr. Florge Sy, SJ