EULOGY FOR MYSELF

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure
has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the
faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only but also to all who
have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4: 6-8)

Thank you for coming here today and for the overwhelming supports you has
extended for my family this past week. Your words of condolences have helped my
family endure the pain of my lost and your prayers surely lift their spirits.

Most of you know me but for some who does not, I am Christian C Salonga
the 2nd child of Jimmy Baylon Salonga and Anita Catanghal Salonga. I was born on
November 24, 1982 in San Roque, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. Our house is located in
Purok 2 in a one way street going to “Parang”. “Parang” by the way is a chicken
poultry farm owned by my relative Manuel Anupol also known as Don Maneng. Most
of the people living in that street are my relatives and in this street I spent the most of
my childhood. Some called me “Asiong” probably because of my last name Salonga
and maybe because of the popularity of the movie “Asiong Salonga” of Tondo. Some
old folks called me “Jimmy Munte” because of my similarity or resemblance to my
father. But to many I am simply known as “Ian” or CHRISTIAN- one who professes
belief in the teachings of JESUS CHRIST.

My parents have played a very crucial role in my lifetime. They were my first
teacher who molded my character and taught me how to become a better man.

I remembered my mother as a strong woman, full of dreams and aspirations.

I called her “Nanay” but she was known to many as “Nene” daughter of Simeon and
Lourdes Catanghal. She used to manage a “sari-sari” store but decided to go abroad
as OFW when my siblings, Princess Ann and Cristine Joy, and I went in school. All
that she wanted was to give the best for her family, to send us in a better school, and
provide all of our needs. She was so selfless that she chooses to endure
homesickness and sadness of being away to us. Her sacrifices were immeasurable
as she has given everything for her family.

My father Jimmy on the other hand was a man of opposites. “Tatay” was the
epitome of strengths and weaknesses. He showed us the strength of his character
on times of trials and life’s challenges. He never gave up on challenges. He
composed himself and showed true determination of a father when everything
seemed to fall apart. Though, Tatay always presented toughness in character, we
his children were his Achilles’ heel. I remember Tatay as a very hardworking person.
I used to accompany him in his work where he drives a dumb truck to deliver gravel
and sand in areas of Cavite and Pampanga. He worked day and night to provide our
needs. He was also a very kind person. He was always ready to help and you could
witness his kindness from the people around him. He had lots of friends whom he
also helped. He also conveyed warm heartedness towards his children. Just like any
other people, kindness has limitations and I had witnessed the contrary of it when
Tatay’s angry. The meanness and sternness on his character were all exposed. You
would never want to experience the meanness of his belt and slippers when he’s
angry. Tatay was the wind beneath our wings. He was always there for us, believing
that we could reach our dreams. He did his best to support all of us and be always
there whenever we needed him. He let us go on our ways to test our own skills and
abilities. He believed that his children need to stand on their own.

My childhood was full of fun and joy and they best described me then as the
Most Playful. I remember the times we played “Agawan ng Base” which literally
means capturing base, “hide and seek” especially during brown out and “Baril-
barilan” with a stick I used as gun and pretending to be a cop or a soldier. No wonder
why I became a police officer later in my life. Life was so simple then and I could say
it’s one of the best moments in my life.

My mother enrolled me at San Roque Elementary School, a public school

along Gapan-Olongapo highway beside the Church of Iglesia Ni Cristo, where I
spent my primary study and develop my foundation. There were 3 sections then
composed of more or less 15 to 20 students per section and each section is named
after a flower, and I was in section 1 rose. Section 2 is_______ while 3 is camia. I did
not focus much in my study because I was too playful then. I was lucky to have some
recognition like Best in Math and honorable mention for being in the top 10 of the
class but still I could say I was an averaged student in terms of intellectual
intelligence. I remember my teachers as strict and disciplinarian and I have so much
respect to them. In this early stage I developed discipline and learned how I can help
my parents by doing the household chores.

In high school, I enrolled in General de Jesus Academy, a private school in

San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. High school was as exciting as in elementary because I
found new friends and brothers I could count on. Still math was my favorite subject
because I really enjoyed problem solving.

I entered college and enrolled at New Era University and took BS-Electronics
and Communication Engineering. However, I did not do well in college. I was
contented with passing grade and have no vision for myself at all. I was not attending
my class that’s why I failed or dropped my subjects.

I came to know cadetship program of PNPA through my uncle Joey who that
time was a police officer and member of the PNPA band. I took the exam for PNPA
Class 2007 but unfortunately failed the exam. I tried another exam for class 2008
and luckily I passed. I was already 21 years old when I was admitted in the cadetship
program. Physically and emotionally I did well in training, however I struggled in
Academics and I had a number of removal exams. I didn’t know how I passed the
removal examination but I did.

During my vacation, I came to know that my mother was very ill. No one told
me that she was sick and was undergoing chemotherapy because of cervical cancer.
They kept it a secret because my mother did not want to bother me in my training. I
remember one time that I called her; she asked me if I will let her go back in Taiwan
and find another work. I answered “yes” because I knew she wanted to help our
family. But I felt something was not right. By the tone of her voice I can tell she was
not happy when I said “yes”. I later realized that she was actually telling goodbye.
After vacation, I went back to academy and continue my training. However, on
December 9, I received a message from my father asking me to go back and see my
mother. On December 10, LORD GOD finally gave her peace. That was the saddest
point of my life.

In 2009, I graduated in the Philippine National Police Academy and was

appointed with the rank of Police Inspector. After I took the mandatory schooling,
Officer’s Basic Course, I was assigned in the Cordillera Region and was downloaded
in the Ifugao Province. My first assignment was as Deputy Chief of Police of Lamut
Police Station. As a fresh graduate in the academy, the ideals of honor, discipline
and excellence become my guiding principles in the public service. It was a
challenging position because I have to deal not only with my subordinates, my chief
of police, the local chief executives but also the public.

In November 2009, the Ifugao Police Provincial Office, decided to conduct an

Internal Security Operation against member of the New People’s Army in Tinoc,
Ifugao. Three teams were form as main effort while others as blocking force. I was
one of the team leaders of the main effort who encountered more or less 11 armed
members of the NPA operating in the areas of Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya and Ifugao.
Three members of the New People’s Army under the Nona Del Rosario Command
were arrested and several high powered Firearms and explosive were seized during
the operation. It was my baptism by fire, my first encounter with the rebel group.

I met my wife Janine Lynnette Ang in the same year through my mother in law
Janie Marie Bunoan Ang who used to work in the DENR. It was the happiest
moment when I found her, the one who is holding the missing piece in my heart. She
is the most beautiful, loving and kindhearted person I’ve ever known. She is my best
friend who I can tell all my worries and happiness. We travelled together and do
crazy stuff. Finally, in 2010 we got married. Our vows remind us of our duty to love
and support each other and stay together through thick or thin until our last day. Our
marriage was not perfect; there were lots of ups and downs. What matter was the
choice we made, to stay together and love each other unconditionally, to let go of
hatred and forgive each other. We were blessed with a child we named Christian
Jahzeel. Jahzeel is an Indian name which means “a Gift of GOD”. Truly, he is a gift
of GOD, who brings joy and laughter to me and my family. My family is everything to
me, they are my inspiration and I loved them so much.

I was reassigned to different municipalities in Ifugao and held several position.

I became the Deputy Chief of Police in Lagawe, Chief of Police of Kiangan, Ifugao,
Deputy Company Commander of the Ifugao Provincial Public Safety Company,
Deputy Chief Investigator of the Ifugao Police Provincial Office and the team leader
of the 1st Special Weapon and Tactics Team of Ifugao. I was also able to represent
the Cordillera Region and the Ifugao Police Provincial Office in SAF Challenge and
Cordillera SWAT Competition respectively in 2012.

In 2013, I took the Scout Ranger Course in Camp Tecson, Bulacan. Scout
Rangers is the Philippine Army Special Operation Command unit specializing in anti
guerilla jungle warfare. It was the greatest challenges in my career because of the
difficulty of the training which requires the participants to undergo 6 months of
rigorous training to include the 45 days test mission in actual combat zone that
varies depending on the development of the situation. Our class started with 220
participants but only 67 original members graduated after 9 months of training. Our
test mission was in Bicol region particularly in the province of Sorsogon and
Masbate. It was a test of faith, character and determination before I got the highly
coveted “tabak” badge and be called as a Ranger.

In 2016, I was reassigned at the Intelligence Group and was designated as

the chief of the strategy and review branch. We were in charge in the implementation
of PNP’s strategic plan and in the formulation of agency’s roadmap. I held several
key positions in the Regional Intelligence Units and Operating Divisions. I was
involved in the dismantling of organized criminal groups operating in the country and
the neutralization of top terrorist commanders in Mindanao. I also made several
reforms that later on became the PNP’s policy such as in human resource, strategic
planning and operation. In 2037, after 33 years in the police service, I retired from
my profession. The highest position that I got was as the Director of the Directorate
for Intelligence with the rank of Police Director.

I devoted the remaining years of my life in church services and civil society
groups. I took care of my wife and my grand children and became busy with farming.