Goodbye Press Secretary Cerge Remonde

Philippine Press Secretary Cerge Remonde's sudden demise today is a huge loss to Cebuanos and to the local media of Cebu.

I still recall the day when me and Ricky Teves, Cebu Stamp Club's vice president were personally invited to his birthday party in his house in 1998. He was very involved with the Knights of Rizal that most of those who came were KOR members. Both me and Ricky got invited to join the KOR but got our hands full running Cebu Stamp Club.

He introduced to us his wife Marit, who in the later part of the evening gave Ricky some treasured stamps.

Humble, vibrant and charismatic, Cerge was destined to make the people of Cebu proud. When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo won the presidency, she appointed him press undersecretary in 2001. Soon he found himself heading the presidential management staff. He was then appointed press secretary in 2009.

To the family of Cerge, I offer my condolences.

Above photo is from SunStar Cebu website.

updates:

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) to the late Cerge Remonde on January 21, 2009. Marit Stinus-Remonde received the posthumous award that was given “for his outstanding service to the Republic of the Philippines and in recognition of his life as an exemplary media man and public servant.”