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Remembering
Bishop La Verne
(Lizet T. Raquel)
BISHOPLaVerne
Diwa Mercado is like a legend. I recall having heard many
good things about him – about being the first National
UMYF President, about the power of his preaching, his courage
and integrity as the General Secretary of the National Council
of Churches of the Philippines during the martial law years
and his dedication to the church and to God. But that is
not just how I remember Bishop La Verne. As I look back
at how he has touched my life, I recognize that he influenced
me, particularly in some of the critical decisions in my
adult life.
Ninong La Verne is our ninong in marriage and he was very
much like a father to me. But before that, as a UMYFer,
whenever I would give a testimony or a reflection, he would
compliment me and encourage me to continue to dedicate myself
to God. Last Saturday, Bishop Daniel Arichea remarked about
Ninong La Verne’s love and concern for young people.
He was already being teased as the Bishop of the UMYF even
before he was elected bishop. But to me, his affirmation
was more than just a source of strength, his character demonstrated
a humility and genuine affection that comes from a true
Christian.
When my mother died, I was about 22 years old at the time,
Ninong La Verne ministered to me and my family and he gently
suggested to me, “O wag ka muna maga-asawa ha. Wait
about three years.” And it was only after three years
that I married my husband, Norman. Every Christmas we would
publish a newsletter about our family for our loved ones
and very close friends. I remember writing most of them
with Ninong La Verne in mind. He always appreciated and
even anticipated each newsletter. If we were late in distributing
them, he would tell us that he was looking forward to our
newsletter that year. Indeed, he shared in many of our joys
and we shared in his. A few months ago, he had laser surgery
to correct an eye problem. And he said the sweetest thing
a husband can say about his wife, he said, “You know,
when they took the bandage from my eye, I looked at Nellie
and I saw that she was even more beautiful than before.”
Each moment with him and Ninang Nellie was a joy and a celebration
of life.
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In the summer of
last year, Norman and I had already decided that I
would go to the seminary for theological studies.
We had not told anyone about it but Ninong La Verne
and Ninang Nellie came up to us one Sunday and Ninong
La Verne said, “You know what Lizette, maybe
now that your son is older you can pursue your individual
goals. Maybe you can study at the seminary?”
I do not know how he was able to discern that but
he affirmed God’s calling to me. When we told
him that we had decided to do exactly that a few days
earlier, he rejoiced with us and talked about finding
a sponsor for me and was already talking about me
taking a doctorate degree in the United States. Ninong
La Verne helped me to see more than just a dream for
myself, he gave me a vision for the world.
In 1997, I gave birth to a boy in the month of December.
His first name, Noah, was given by my daughter, Lauren.
His second name, La Verne, which means “the
truth” in French, is after the man who personified
- “doing justice, loving kindness and walking
humbly with God.”Ninong
La Verne leaves with us a legacy of servant-leadership
and Christian humility and love. For me, his greatness
does not lie in his achievements, it lies in the relationships
he had with each one of us here. Thank you Ninong
La Verne, for your influence and guidance. It has
been a privilege knowing you.
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