A Tribute To Bishop Fortich at Diocese of Bacolod, Philippines, Bacolod City, Philippines 6100 PH - A People’s Pastor

'He inspired us to serve' BY ANTONIETA LOPEZ As he was finally laid in his resting place at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City, kind words for Bishop Emeritus Antonio Fortich flowed freely from those whose lives he had touched in the almost 60 years he spent serving the Church. For Dr. Remedios Ortaliz, it was Fortich who inspired her to serve the Church. "He was my mentor and counselor," she added. She said it was the bishop who urged her to take over the helm of the Philippine Tuberculosis Society and Bulig Foundation that had been established with Fortich as inspiration . "I begged off, saying that it did not pay much," Ortaliz said. But, the bishop assured me that it will turn out fine, she added. The day he died, workers at the office saw a big black butterfly exactly at the time he passed away, Ortaliz said. "We lost a great social reformer," said Ret. Brig. Gen. Raymundo Jarque, who served as Negros Island army commander in 1989 to 1991. Jarque had launched the Operation Thunderbolt as the government's answer to the insurgency problem in the island but it led to the massive evacuation of thousands of Negrenses from the hinterlands to escape the skirmishes. Former priest Allan Abadesco referred to Fortich as a "father and a friend" which, he said, he hurt deeply when he decided to join the rebel movement in 1985. He is truly a great man because he respected my decision to go underground so as not to jeopardize the institution, Abadesco said. Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo vowed that his party will carry on the struggle to unify the people and achieve social and economic reforms. He said he and Fortich has been partners since 1996 in the quest for meaningful justice and peace. "The basis for just and lasting peace will lead to the settlement of armed conflict," Ocampo said, adding that it is a long road but quoting the late bishop, "Advocates of social causes should never retire." "Bishop Fortich led an exemplary life," Sectoral Rep. Liza Maza said, adding that his dynamic leadership should be an example for other priests and servants of God. Meanwhile, former Pontevedra vice mayor Rio Diaz Cojuangco recalled the role which the bishop significantly played when her husband Rep. Charlie Cojuangco (4th District, Negros Occ.) decided to run for congressman. "He really gave us the encouragement in the midst of the turmoil we were facing then," she said. She added that she will miss Fortich's words of encouragement and wisdom. "I would not miss this for anything," Cojuangco, who has just recovered from a coma, said of her presence at the funeral yesterday. Former Bacolod Councilor Ricardo Tan said the bishop is best remembered for his work for the poor. This legacy, he said, must continue. Rep. Jose Apolinario Lozada (5th District, Negros Occ.), on the other hand, said that it is time for Fortich to rest. He is up there looking at us, he said, adding, "We lost a shepherd but the flock is appreciative." Former Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that the life and deeds of Fortich will be "a tough act to follow" for any religious or civil official. Leonardia, whose baptism, confirmation and marriage were all officiated by Fortich, was the last person to touch the prelate's coffin in farewell before his tomb was sealed yesterday. Meanwhile, CPP-NPA spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, said in a statement that, with passing of Fortich, his fight for the interests of the public, particularly the working class, will forever be etched in the country's history and in the memories of the people.*ABL ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Negros is grieving,” said Gov. Joseph Maranon, “at the untimely demise of a good man who exemplifies the character of a true pastor of the Church, especially amid current developments.” Fortich won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1973, the only Filipino clergyman to do so, with his establishment of the Dacongcogon Sugar Cooperative, composed of small, almost subsistence-level landowners and sugar workers. The cooperative now runs the sugar mill and remains the clearest proof that the “great unwashed” and the less educated can take charge of their lives if given training and opportunities. Fortich was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, together with then-President Aquino, for his work in the peace process. But he was not all activism. He established the Barangay ng Virgen, which has grown into a national movement of Marian devotees. He admitted the organization was aimed at attracting devotees among the poor but, ever the social equalizer, he persuaded several of Negros’ more enlightened rich to join the group. Fortich was born in 1913 to Ignacio Fortich and Rosalla Yatsutco. He joined the Jesuit seminary in Manila in 1933, but transferred to the San Jose Seminary in Iloilo. He braved a banca ride from Iloilo to Bacolod at the height of World War II for his ordination on March 4, 1944. His first assignment was as assistant priest at the San Sebastian Cathedral until 1949, when he became parish priest of Binalbagan town. He was recalled to Bacolod on December 31, 1952, and appointed vicar general. He became the third bishop of the diocese on February 24, 1967, until he retired in 1989.

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