ILOILO City – For Rex Roger Lardera, it was the harrowing assault of super typhoon “Yolanda” that took away his father Rogelio – and with him, a paternal bond that had seen them through the toughest of times.
“Yolanda” (international name: “Haiyan”) was one of the most powerful typhoons recorded and the deadliest in the Philippines. It plowed the Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013 – killing at least 6,300 people.
Seven years later, a deep scar still runs inside Rex Roger’s mind – a reminder of who and what he lost that day.
But his grief and loneliness now weigh lighter than before. These days, the feelings manifest themselves in recurring thought: “I’m happy. May na-save man sya nga kabuhi and he was called a hero.”
Rex Roger, 23, told Panay News that his father’s legacy is the memory of a great name and a great example’s inheritance. In this paper, he shared his father’s story worth telling and a life worth celebrating.
Rogelio, a teacher at Concepcion Central School, became one of the town’s first responders. He was ready for it, trained for it, and – consistent to the Rogelio everyone knew – more than willing to do it.
He brought his wife and four children to safety first before joining the Manaphag Quick Response Team.
Fondly called “Sir Elyong” by his pupils, he was on board a truck with fellow volunteers – saving people and children – when he was hit by a broken tree trunk and fell off the vehicle at the height Yolanda’s onslaught.
He became the super storm’s first casualty in the town.
“Sya gid naigo sang sanga sang kahoy when he tried to save and protect people,” Rex Roger said.
According to Rex Roger, every Nov. 8, the local government unit (LGU) conducts a fun run fundraiser to commemorate his father’s death.
Lardera family’s life was not easy without their father. “We can’t stand alone,” Rex Roger said.
However, with the help of the municipal government, private people and organizations, his family was able to continue living a normal life.
On June 2, 2014, the Civil Service Commission Regional Office 6 gave Rogelio the Paman Lingkod Bayani “Parangal sa Lingkod Bayani” award.
The plaque was received by Rogelio’s wife, Leonora and their 19-year-old daughter RL Easter.
Aside from the plaque, the family of the awardee was granted of a one-time financial assistance worth P100,000 from the Pondong Pamanang Lingkod Bayan program.
In addition, three of Lardera’s children were offered scholarship either in baccalaureate, masteral or a doctoral degree in any of the 110-member State Universities and Colleges under Pamanang Lingkod Bayani Iskolarship component./PN
