Del Rosario’s remains arrive in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The remains of former foreign affairs secretary and ambassador Albert del Rosario arrived in Manila yesterday morning.

Del Rosario died on April 18 at the age of 83.

His family said his wake will be open for public visitation today and tomorrow at the Chapels of the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati.

“We ask the Filipino people to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for consolation in our time of grief,” his daughter Dr. Inge del Rosario said in a statement.

“We are deeply proud of our former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Albert F. del Rosario, and are grateful for the outpouring of support for the family,” she added.

“Our Papa, a loving husband, father and grandfather, a Patriot, has returned home to our Merciful God and rests now in the arms of our Blessed Mother.  He is home to stay,” she said in a statement released yesterday.

Del Rosario’s remains arrived at 5:30 a.m. yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila. His wife, Margaret Gretchen del Rosario, and sister, Joanne del Rosario, brought home Del Rosario’s remains. They were met by his children, grandchildren and siblings.

The family said on Tuesday morning, the ambassador was en route to San Francisco with his wife and son-in-law, Jay Inocentes, when he suffered a heart attack.

While there were attempts to resuscitate him by two doctors who were passengers on the same flight, their efforts failed.

“Following an investigation by the coroner’s office in San Mateo, California, it was determined that the causes of death of Ambassador Del Rosario were cardiac insufficiency, congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy,” Inge said.

He died in the arms of his wife of more than 60 years, Gretchen.

Del Rosario traveled to California on short notice as he had hoped to pray at a private devotion to our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. He was a devotee of the Rosary and sought to pray for better health as he believed he had a mission to fulfill for his country.

He had suffered over the past 20 years from various ailments and had numerous back and knee surgeries but persevered despite the pain and suffering to serve as Philippine ambassador to the United States and secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros is pushing for a measure to honor Del Rosario for his memory and his work that gave the Philippines its landmark victory against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague over claims in the West Philippine Sea.

Ex-UP president Soriano, 87

Meanwhile, former University of the Philippines president and national security adviser Emanuel Soriano passed away yesterday. He was 87.

The death of Soriano, who served as UP president from 1979 to 1981, was confirmed by his daughter.

Born on Dec. 30, 1936, Soriano earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1959 and his Master’s degree in Industrial Management in 1962, both from UP. He earned his Doctor of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Business School.

As a college student, he served as vice president and acting president of the university student council. – Janvic Mateo