Daghang salamat, Marlon!

A day after Leo Lastimosa kindly updated me that the doctors had warned he could go anytime, Marlon Bellita joined the Lord to claim God’s gift of eternal rest, peace, and love!

“Wa na’y mulingaw nako kada hapon on the car radio while I’m driving  through Cebu’s traffic, pawa sa stress after work. Goodbye Sir  Marlon Bellita (Syana, Bitoy, Inday Miguel, ug uban pang mga tingog nimo). RIP. Thanks a lot!” lawyer Ian Manticajon posted in his tribute to Marlon.

Countless listeners definitely share this great loss of a very gifted and irreplaceable Marlon and his various characters on air. He could shift his voice endlessly - he was everyone’s favorite, everyone’s Bitoy, Syana, Padre, and whoever else he wanted to mimic during his highly rated (perhaps the highest rating?) radio program in Cebu!

Laughter was his greatest gift to all his listeners!

And how he loved to interact with them, joking with them, patiently listening to jokes they wanted to share with him and his listeners or messages they wanted shared on air. Marlon also shared his great concern and support for those who asked for his assistance during his program!

Oh, he will be dearly, deeply missed. Afternoons will never be the same without Marlon!

 He was on air as well as a roving reporter, sharing information with early riser listeners of DYAB.

Did Marlon ever have time enough for himself with his seeming very busy schedule, as ardent public service as the comedian anchor for his afternoon Rated R, as field reporter, and more? He seemed to have been in much haste to do so much, to share so much with as many, during his lifetime!

Many are probably still asking why God took someone like Marlon who shared so much laughter, so much joy, so much genuine public service and concern. Many are probably asking why God did not take instead the evil and corrupt.

Teray Carabuena-Dizon, with Alvin, in her post gave a glimpse of a very good reason why Marlon may have left this world early. She wrote, “Sir Marlon, I will always miss the “Syana” and the “Sinyang” in you. Of all the characters that you’ve played, these are my top 2 favorites—the smarty Syana and the flirty Sinyang. Rated R has not only become a daily habit but an addiction na gyud namo ni Alvin. In fact, our favorite bonding moment which has become an integral part of our everydays. We celebrate your life Sir Marlon—a life truly well-lived for you did not only bring sunshine to our gloomy days but hope to those who were almost hopeless. Now, you gave more reason to ensure that I will find my way to heaven cos I know that—HEAVEN IS MORE FUN WITH MARLON BELLITA. Daghang salamat og magpabilin ka sa among mga kasing2x.”

For sure, Marlon is now rocking heaven with his laughter, with UP faculty Mike Mende! God may have wanted Marlon back to entertain in heaven from now on. It must also have been God’s gift to Marlon to share His eternal love, rest, and peace earlier, from here on.

It must also be a proof of God’s love to allow the abusive and misguided to have a longer time on earth so they can repent and be worthy of His eternal rest, peace, and love that He wants all to receive.

Instead of grief, for sure, Marlon will prefer to see all his fans and listeners happy - he will prefer to see smiles restored and joy back in everyone’s hearts, just as he had always been doing in his daily programs.

To celebrate and show our gratitude to Marlon, let us put on our best smile and extend help to those in need as much as we can daily. Marlon came every afternoon to remind us all about the joy of laughter, the joy of sharing, and the peace that comes with serving others to the best of one’s gifts from God.

Daghang salamat Marlon! Thank you sincerely for sharing yourself with so many every afternoon during your brief but meaningful life on earth. We also thank the Lord for sharing you with us. Rest. Feast, smile and laugh in God’s embrace forever!

Perhaps there are those among you who wish to thank Marlon by sharing with his family?

Leo Lastimosa posted the following: “Please inform your friends that they can deposit their financial assistance to Marlon Bellita’s family thru this bank account that ABS-CBN opened for this purpose only: BPI Savings Account No. 1173-1880-28; Account Name: Leo A. Lastimosa. Swift Code (for those living abroad): BOPIPHMM.”

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