Dody Naguiat (1947-2009)
Our brother, Dody Naguiat (Central C) was called by our Heavenly Father to join Him by His side, today, October 1, 2009, at approximately 8 in the evening. After surviving a heart bypass and a kidney transplant, he finally succumbed to pneumonia. He received final blessings from Fr. Herb Schneider, S.J.
Dody is survived by his wife, Josie, and children Happy, Terry, Rammy, Paco, and granddaughter Anika.
Wake will be at the Santuario de San Antonio chapel in Forbes Park, Makati. There will be Mass at 8pm every night until Monday. LNP Night will be on Monday night. Interment will be on Tuesday morning, starting with a Mass at 9AM.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Please feel free to share your prayers and words of honoring in the “Comment” box below. Thank you.
Read his reflection which he wrote 39 days after his kidney transplant. “MY ANCHORS” by Dody Naguiat.
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Dody Naguiat
“Everything is grace because everything is God’s gift.” Dody Naguiat
By: Edward Binanay, XUHS 1972
It is with a heavy heart that I learned today that Dody Naguiat passed away to be with our Lord. When I went to Xavier High school in the 70’s, I did not have an inkling that I would meet one of the most influential people in my life.
Growing up, my father was my role model. I idolized my dad for what he accomplished in life and most importantly his relentless drive and desire to support our family. But my dad was, DAD. I needed a mentor, somebody who would show me the way to the real life. Dody was that man.
I remember the time I first met him. He was from Manila and did not speak a word of Visayan. He tried learning Visayan but could never master the accent and diction of Bisaya. Dody had this persona that you immediately felt at ease and comfortable when you were with him. He was our moderator and in charge of 40 plus boys. Looking back, I felt that he was a lot older and wiser in spite of only 9 years difference of our age.
He was very philosophical about his view of life. He talked about St. Ignatius, “Give your life to something, someone bigger than who you are”. Pursue your education, and give back to your community, family and friends. Never stop learning. As young kids, we were impressionable. We looked upon Dody as the man with all the answers. He was indeed brilliant. He opened my mind, eyes and my heart.
Dody was also a great competitor. He loved to play basketball. His passion was playing with us and “owning” us every game. We tried to “hang” with him but he was too good. One time, we took a class overnight trip to Kiliog, a town outside Cagayan de Oro. Dody was at his best. Bonding with us. Talking and advising us about life. He used to say “Trust in God and pursue your passion in life”. We played basketball with the locals. Dody was relentless, and nobody was able to stop him. He became a marked man by the other team. I remember, he tried to get a rebound and bang, one of the opponents cut him off and he sprained his leg. I do not remember if we won or not. But this I can recall, he was proud to be with us and glad that we made that trip together. He was on crutches for weeks. We teased him and said we can now beat him playing ball.
I lost touch with Dody after college. I migrated to the US. I went home a couple of years ago and had dinner with him in Makati with some of our classmates. He was the same Dody, full of life. He still had that great smile. He was very generous. He asked about my family. He truly cared.
I will miss you Dody. Say hello to my mom and dad up there. Tell them I am doing great. Goodbye my mentor, my friend. Until then…
My Mentor, My Friend
By: Theresa Genter
Thank you for allowing me
the opportunity
to learn from you
when I was seeking so much knowledge
when I was asking many questions
you patiently listened and answered accordingly
never showing signs of frustration
Thank you for taking the time
to show me the necessary skills today
that will lead me with confidence into tomorrow
for believing in me and having enough faith
to share your work
your dreams
and your vision
Thank you for accepting me as I am
with all my eagerness
and my sheer joy over the little things…
you never tried to squelch that spirit in me
Instead, you have encouraged that spirit
and for that, I do thank you
I realized the knowledge I need for work can be learned anywhere,
taught by most anyone
but the life skills I needed that go along with it…
well, that would have to be taught by a very unique individual
with a very special gift for giving
a gift of patience and understanding
that someone is you, my Mentor
and now, my friend
Tito Dody was our “Father Abraham” when we did together the Mount Moriah play. I will never forget the way he hugged us everytime we see each other… and the way he served us during that time. He had a very good voice too! And he’s so passionate that I’ve been so inspired to give my best to God. I admire his happy disposition and I would always be forever grateful to God that He allowed us (me and my sisters) to have this personal relationship with Tito Dody. We love you tito dody!!! We’re going to miss you so much.
Tito Dody, I have fond memories of you and your beautiful family. Although no longer in touch, I will always remember the calm strength about you that clearly comes from knowing peace in the Lord. I pray that you are in good company, where you are.
Tito Dody was one of my favorite Tito’s in Ligaya. I remember everytime there was a gathering/ assembly he would never fail to greet me & my family. He would always have a pleasant disposition. He was also a good leader because he would put others first before himself and he was so dedicated to the community. Despite his condition he would still manage to go to the assemblies to talk & share God’s message with brothers & sisters. I’m sure God has told him “Well done my good & faithful servant!”
My love, prayers, and deepest condolences to the Naguiat family especially to my friend Terry.
When I was still part of Lingkod-Manila a few years back, Tito Dody was a guest speaker for career path discernment for the singles of Lingkod. Being an HR practitioner himself, he generously shared both his insights as well as his expertise in that field. It truly helped me and the bros/sis to value interpersonal relationships in the office and maintaining a people-oriented persona in dealing with clients as well as a great tool for evangelization.
I became part of Ligaya ng Panginoon North DIstrict E in late 2006, as an underway member, Tito Dody led the Foundations Course 2 which is the longest of the formation talks. At that time, he was very lively and making sure we were awake for the talks!
May the good Lord finally embrace your ‘homecoming’ tito…and has left an indelible mark for the leaders of Ligaya to pass on to the future members. A community of disciples on mission…even uo to heaven.
Our family shared 3 special moments with Kuya Dody:
First, Kuya Dody was the one who welcomed Joem and I during our community weekend retreat 4 years ago. He actually helped us carry our bags.
Second, My son, Gerard, has a special thought about Kuya Dody being the first person to approach and congratulate him when he stepped up from JYA to YA 2 years ago. Up to now, Gerard feels so precious and honored with that gesture. He volunteered to be the altar server during the Sunday (CDE) mass because he wants to be of service to Kuya Dody.
Third, Joem and I chanced upon Kuya Dody during a recollection early this year in Don Bosco Makati. He told us that he misses all of us in Ligaya. He said that he prays for all of us always and that in his prayers, he would always remember all our faces.
We are not really that close to Kuya Dody. We are, sort of, part of the “outer circle”. But just the same our family ALWAYS, ALWAYS feels special and loved by him in the many times we encounter him.
Tito Dody…. rest in peace in the love of Your God!!!
I will surely miss Tito Dody, his hand and embrace whenever I call on him for help and guidance. There are many stories to tell to honor this man, brother, father, husband, leader and friend. However, let me focus on some and hope to give the honoring that Tito Dody truly deserves.
I started with Ligaya and had the privilege to be placed at Central C, the district where Tito Dody was then serving as Coordinator. At the same time, Tita Josie was my pastoral leader. Tito Dody, as a coordinator, showed so much passion and grace in serving the district. His being a coordinator did not end with the district meetings, but he made sure that his members are all going the right path. He gave so much time and devotion in serving us, his brothers and sisters. And even as he served, I always look up to him as a generous and loving father to his children. Tito Dody showed strength of character when the family is faced with difficulties. He did not tire of bringing his children to Ligaya. Masarap tignan ang pamilya nila. And I remember one time when some of us singles then in the district told him we will look for a husband just like him and he laughed so loud and said, ” mahirap yan, pero sa community madami nyan”.
Tito Dody also served the singles of the community. He always made himself available to us, be it a speaker, sharer or just somebody who will join our gatherings. He also served in Lingkod ng Panginoon and CYA. He was this big man at Ayala, yet showed so much humility in serving us.
In 2006, I had a problem sleeping. I went to see so many doctors and tried to seek help in order to know what I was going through then. And I shared this with my PL, Beth Melchor, and somehow she talked to Tito Dody and both of them tried to help me understand what I was then going through. Then somebody told me I may be having some sort of depression and so I was asked to see a psychiatrist. Of course, I felt so much fear. And who comes to my rescue? Tito Dody. He explained to me a similar experience that he went through during his younger years. And he made me realize that there is nothing to fear. At the same time, my blood sister contacted a doctor for me at Manila Doctors, just looking through the internet. But she did not want to tell me because she knew I would not go. Tito Dody talked to me and informed me of a doctor that helped him also before, and lo and behold, it is the same doctor that my sister got. And Tito Dody did not stop there. Because he knew of my fears, he accompanied me to the doctor at 6AM, yes, that early on a Wednesday, to ensure that I am taken cared of. Therefore, I share with him the victory of having passed that stage and recovered from it.
Since then, I have always regarded him as my second dad (since my dad passed away years before). He was also the 1st person that I approached to prepare Boy and I for marriage in 2008. And of course, he said yes. He was already sick then.
Boy and I have been a recipient of Tito Dody and Tita Josie’s generosity and unconditional love when they prepared us for marriage. I believe we are the last couple to have that privilege to be guided and nurtured by Tito Dody.
We honor him for his dedication to serving the Lord and His people. This couple never complained and just allowed the Lord to use them in serving us. Tito Dody was then undergoing dialysis and he will still attend our sessions despite his feeling weak. During one of our discussions, we expressed to him and Tita Josie that we will definitely understand if they decide to ask another couple to prepare us. But, Tito Dody said ” This is my way of serving despite the difficulties. I have been so used to having the strength and ability to serve and really strive for excellence in everything I do. And now with the sickness, I still want to feel needed and to serve the Lord and you and Boy to show how deeply thankful I am.”
He was weak, yet very much like a Father, providing guidance and sharing his life with me and my husband. As we honor Tito Dody, we also honor Tita Josie, the strength behind Tito Dody. Tita Josie, we love you. Salamat po.
And so we pray and sing the song that Tito Dody loves to sing: Find Us Faithful
… May all who come behind us find us faithful Tito Dody
Tito Dody, you are such an endearing man and brother in Christ! Your loving ways to me & my family carved a special place in our hearts especially in June 8, 2007 when Raul suffered a 2nd massive brain stroke & we’re barely a month old in the US.
Like Tito Tony Panajon, I’ve learned to suffer in silence, with joy & hope knowing that you were a living epitome and a good example to remember who embodies the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, faithfulness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, patience & self-control even up to the most difficult end of the race.
I honor you & will forever be grateful to you and your family for your kindness & compassion mostly appreciated as you wrote me in June 2007:
From: “AC NAGUIAT, Rodrigo C.”
To: jessidecember25@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 11:05:31 PM
Subject: Our Prayers
Dear Raul and Cynch:
We accompany you during this time of trial and uncertainty.
We cling with certainty to our faith of a God who loves us and you more than we can ever imagine. We commend and entrust you to His faithful, trustworthy, compassionate and merciful hands.
I pray: “We remember how You loved us to your death and still we celebrate for You are with us here. And we believe that we will see you when you come in your glory Lord. We remember, we celebrate, we believe.”
Dody Naguiat
To your family & loved ones: Our sincerest condolonces, prayers & warm hugs. We likewise join you in your joy as you celebrate your union with our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. Please continue to keep Raul in your prayers.
Much love (& on behalf of raul, john & peter francisco),
cynch