SECOND DISTRICT Representative Jose Yap was buried high-noon of March 9 at the Monasterio de Tarlac at Lubigan, San Jose, after a huge outpouring of affection from thousands upon thousands of Tarlaquenos that even rivaled the funeral of other iconic political figures in the country.

The funeral of the man simply called Aping lasted more than four hours as legions of mourners estimated by the Tarlac Philippine National Police at around 20,000, paid homage to Yap during the procession that began at his vacation house in Mababanaba to the monastery that he himself conceptualized to build during his firm term as governor.

Yap, who died at age 81 after a battle with prostate cancer, was interred in a simple grave situated beside the soon-to-be constructed Basilica overlooking the scenic view of San Jose town.

A requiem mass was offered by the catholic hierarchy in the province led by Bishop Florentino Cinense and Founder of the Servants of the Risen Christ [SRC] Fr. Archie Cortez. His body was placed in the middle of the monastic plaza where the Catholic mass was held.

Christian Yap, one of his grandson and Governor Victor Yap, the congressman’s youngest child delivered the responses of the family.

“In behalf of the family, I would like to thank all of you who braved the heat just to mourn with us. I have to ask for forgiveness to our countless friends whom we were not able to immediately inform of the medical conditions of our father,” the governor said in the vernacular.

He also thanked the priesthood in Tarlac who gave his father a decent and solemn burial rite.
“Ako rin po ay nagpapasalamat ng marami sa kaparian ng Tarlac pinangungunahan ni Bishop Cinense at Fr. Archie sa isang napaka solemn at napakagandang burol para sa aking ama…di po namin malilimutan ito,” Gov. Yap said adding that his father’s wish to be buried at the Monastery was granted by the catholic priesthood.

A shower of petals and confetti was dropped from a military helicopter and a full military honors including a gun salute was carried by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Pall bearers in the funeral were the monks of the SRC, high officials of the Tarlac Police Provincial Office, and friends close to him.
Before his interment, Yap’s remains were brought to his hometown Victoria for an over-night wake after a three-day wake at the Sta. Maria Della Strada chapel in Quezon City and a two-day wake at the Tarlac provincial capitol. In all his funeral march, thousands of Tarlaquenos paid tribute by lining up in the main streets of the procession’s route.---Arvin Ferdinand M. Cabalu