( PYG during happier times- get together at Peto Diongson's apartment)
I became a member of the Performance Youth Group (PYG) more than two decades ago. Prior to my membership, I was the president of the youth organization in our Purok ( Bohol Ave. Youth Organization ) and was among the first batch of elected members of the Barangay Youth Council (BYC) which replaced the Kabataang Barangay (KB) in the aftermath of the EDSA revolution which toppled the Marcos regime.
( The new breed of PYG kids )
Then came the PYG. I together with Rexel Evangelio who was then our BYC Chairman joined the group. Although some quarters questioned the motivation to create an umbrella group for all the youth organizations in Toril, it became a reality. After its creation, the various youth groups died a natural death as most of its leaders started enlisting with PYG. During our peak period in the late 80's up to the early 90's we had more than 200 members and it could have been much more if not for the strict screening that we instituted for would be members. Most of the members were beneficiaries of livelihood programs and some were lucky enough to be among the PYG scholars. I did not avail of the group's scholarship as I was already enjoying athletic scholarship at that time, being the board 1 player of the University of Mindanao ( UM) chess varsity team.
( The video was taken during Nong Atong's birthday last June 6, 2009 )
The man chiefly responsible for the group's survival and existence was JOSE " ATONG " ONG. He was our group's main supporter and motivator. Thus it was with great pain that we received the news that he passed away on December 17, 2011. I was requested to say a Eulogy to Nong Atong in behalf of our group but I have no guts to say it in public. I might as well publish it in my blog.
First and foremost, NONG ATONG was a mentor and father to all of us.
No words can express what we are feeling right now because he was dear to us, just like a father to a child and I’m sure only time can help us forget the pain of losing him.
NONG ATONG was a guiding spirit during those times when most of us were still young and aimless. His words resonates with force and authority but deep inside he had a soft spot for all of us. We used to fear him but as we grew older, we slowly understood why he treated us like that. He was merely showing concern for our future and all that was said and done was meant as a challenge, a call for excellence to help us achieved our full potential.
We also discovered that he was a compassionate and kind person. He showered us with love and affection as if we are members of his family. Though he may never have said it out loud we know that he was really proud of what we have become. He is one of the reasons for what we are now today. To borrow a quote from one of his favourite songs, he was “ The wind beneath our wings “
Let us all remember everything that NONG ATONG shared with us aptly enshrined in the lyrics of his favourite song “ TATANDA AT LILIPAS DIN AKO NGUNIT MAYROONG AWITING IIWANAN SA INYO, DAHIL MINSAN TAYO’Y NAGKASAMA……….. “.
Let us not be sad but instead be happy, as NONG ATONG has finally gone home to our creator.
To NONG ATONG, PAALAM AT MARAMING SALAMAT…….
