It's not an easy task to prepare and deliver a eulogy, especially for a parent whom you love so much! It felt like a final goodbye, which I didn't want to do ... I just hope my words can serve as a sort of justice, summary and re-affirmation to all, that my Daddy was, is, a great man ... A beautiful, complex, individual, fun-loving, unique and caring soul! For those who were unable to attend my Dad's funeral, below is a slight rework of my eulogy ... My words of remembrance to my Dad. As my sister, Clarinda, has also mentioned in her contribution, my words also capture ONLY an essence of him ... Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things we can go through, so much more as in this case, as it's my Daddy! No words can express what I'm feeling right now and I'm sure only time can help me accept the fact. Today is my father's funeral and our hearts are heavy. Together, we mourn his physical separation from us, but most of all, together, we celebrate the full life that he had, and we give thanks for his new life beyond this earth. There are many sides to the man whom you all know as Dario. Whether he was called Dar, Kuya, Darius, Balay, Uncle, Tito, Ithio, Elvis, Opa, or Mr Mojar ... Dario was my Daddy. Born in Cavite, Philippines, situated south of Manila Bay. Dario Ronquillo 'Chan' Mojar, was the middle child of seven children to Jose and Concordia Mojar. He was a loving and committed father to my sister Clarinda and I, Caroline; faithful and devoted husband to our beautiful mother, Linda; cool and funny grandfather to his two granddaughters, Jessica and Mikayla; supportive brother to all his brothers and sisters, Erning, Adena, Carmen, Mario, Isabel and Lutzie; hard-working and respected colleague; fun loving and cheeky friend and neighbour; and most recently 'cancer warrior'. For five years my daddy battled this dreaded cancer. For five years my daddy endured four operations, one round of radiation and two rounds of chemo. During all that time, he showed great persistence and great strength. Managing to pull through the many ups and downs of his treatment. His strength befitting and worthy of the many superhero characters he loved to read about in the comics when he was a child, and many superhero movies he used to love watching with all of us. Superman, Spiderman, Batman and Green Lantern ... and my Daddy ... 'Cancer Warrior'! He may have succumbed to the villain that is cancer, but Daddy will always be synonymous as OUR Super Hero! One that fought a very brave and long battle. Courageous, brave and true, he tried HIS very best to fight the disease and overcome the physical pain associated with it. With the constant help from my Mum, Linda, as his 'sidekick superhero', they managed to keep the disease at bay much longer than what the doctors had expected upon first diagnosis in 2007. This goes to show they made a dynamic duo. A superhero couple that loved each other immensely right till the very end. A beautiful love story of two superheroes who undertook a wonderful fulfilling life journey together. Many people have said to me to "be strong and to stay strong". They say that "things like this make you stronger". But how can that be? I feel so weak inside! It feels like a dream! It is therefore in my Daddy's strength that I have to draw on to keep me going in this life. This is where I have to reach from within and also draw strength from all the love from our family and friends ... Daddy's time came too soon ... but this was because God needed him to hang his superhero cape up and replace it with new Angel wings! When Clarinda and I were young, his words were the law in our house. He was loving and fun, but he was also a strict father ... and that's only because he CARED for us. When we feared him during times of discipline, we didn't realise it then that he was teaching us just some of his many valuable lessons in life ... and standing up for what you believe in. As I grew older, I understood and had a better appreciation of this. But when I was a child, I wasn't sure ... I recalled at one time I wasn't allowed to come inside the house until I had learnt and recited all my times tables for maths ... it makes me giggle thinking about it now ... discipline back then makes for fond memories now! There are so many fond memories of Dad ... with all of us ... with family, friends, occasions, travels ... so many that we'll treasure! Most importantly though what I've learnt ... is that the most import thing that Dad had, was us, his family. I know that he was really proud of what we, his daughters have become. We are who we are because we had a father like him. To his friends, Dad was a good friend and kind person that was always ready to help and have a good and fun time. A generous man that never wanted to be acknowledged for anything he did, but was always ready to partake in joyous celebrations and had time to share with you a good laugh, music, singing, food, movies and entertainment! Daddy was a rich man, not so much in the material sense, but more in the overall spiritual sense. Yes, he was a hard working man ... For many years he was able to reap the rewards of his hard work and labour with his love of travel around the country and the world, and the love of building houses and a home. But Dad's richness came through his family. Not just immediate family or blood relatives, but through his extended family. He acknowledged that family isn't always by blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what. He embraced my husband, Tem and his family as well as my brother-in-law Anthony, and his family ... all as his own. The closeness of the EXTENDED Nobleza AND Hoiberg families with OUR family and network of close friends, are a true testament to his success in this life. And often, you would see my Daddy at our many and constant get togethers and parties, singing out loud ... "WE ARE FAMILY!!" Daddy, we'll always remember your special smile, cheeky ways, jovial nature, caring heart, and warm embrace you always gave us. You being there for us in good and bad times, no matter what. I will miss watching movies with you, singing karaoke with you, dancing the jive with you, playing cards with you, joking with you and most of all, hugging you and just hearing your voice! We'll always remember you Daddy because there will never be another one to replace you in our hearts, and the love we will always have for you. And to quote one of my favourite quotes by Christian Andersen ... "Every man's life is a fairy tale, written by God's fingers" ... Your life was truly an adventure-filled fairy tale! Thank you for being a BIG part of MINE! I will look to the heavens and feel you watching over me and someday I'll see you again ...