LAST SATURDAY, I came to bury a good friend – Atty. Filmer Abrajano whose untimely demise continue to shake me, to this day. Unlike Caesar, Atty. Filmer Abrajano was not a victim of injustice. Death took him unexpectedly, at the worst time.
Atty. Filmer G. Abrajano was Senator Manuel Lapid’s aide de camp since his governor days at the City of San Fernando. Fil, as he was fondly called, was instrumental in the political success of Senator Manuel Lapid. He was more than a chief-of-staff; Fil was a confidante of the good senator.
Like Senator Manuel Lapid, I, too, have a high regard for Fil. He was more than a colleague, a business partner and a political ally. Fil was the epitome of a brilliant lawyer, dedicated to his work and loved by his clients.
Fil was also a public servant. He was generous and helped hundreds of people in need of government assistance. In fact, Fil was instrumental in drafting Republic Act No. 9999, otherwise known as the LapidLaw, authored by Sen. Manuel Lapid. Fil not only recognized the need for indigents to avail free legal assistance, but also encouraged his colleagues in the legal profession to extend pro bono work for the poor. Fil had only the best interests of the people in his heart.
While I did not come to praise Atty. Filmer G. Abrajano, I cannot help but express these kind words to a genuine friend, definitely a big loss to the many whose lives he has touched. He was never selfish; a trait admirable of him. Fil was a good son, a good brother, a good person.
As Anthony continues his speech, “The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.” Yes, Atty. Filmer G. Abrajano will always be remembered. Farewell my friend, till we meet again.
“Bear with me. My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, and I must pause till it come back to me.”
