Buhos ngayon ang pakikiramay sa pamilya at naulila ni dating Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) secretary general na si Rodolfo Severino, 82.
Nitong Biyernes nang ianunsyo ng anak nito at beteranong journalist na si Howie Severino ang pagpanaw ng ama sa sakit na konektado sa Parkinson’s disease.
“I rushed back to Manila tonight to be with my father. His breathing was difficult, his blood pressure low and erratic. He was barely responsive. My son and I told him stories about some of our best times with him. Then I asked if he wanted to listen to music. He grunted what sounded like a spark of joy. I searched for a favorite from his Ateneo Glee Club days, ‘Some Enchanted Evening.'” nakasaad sa Facebook post ni Howie.
“Without meaning to, I played the opera version of the Broadway hit; apropos because Dad was a great opera fan. I grew up listening to it and even mimicking it. I sang along softly in my pathetic tenor. Soon after the song ended, he stopped breathing and he was gone,” dagdag pa nito.
Bukod sa pagiging ASEAN official, nanungkulan din noon bilang Ambassador to Malaysia at undersecretary ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang nakatatandang Severino sa ilalim ng administrasyong Fidel V. Ramos.
Isa ring mamamahayag ang former Philippine envoy na siyang founding head ng ASEAN Studies Center.
Nauna ng nagpaabot ng pakikiramay ang DFA sa pagpanaw ni Severino na naging Consul General rin sa Houston, Washington D.C., at Beijing.
“We are deeply saddened to know that Amb. Rodolfo C. Severino Jr., former Secretary-General of ASEAN (1998-2002) passed away yesterday, April 19. We honour his astute leadership and we cherish the memories of his tremendous service to ASEAN. His passing is an immeasurable loss to the ASEAN Community. We convey our sincere condolences to his family,” ayon sa DFA.
