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HE SERVED HUMANKIND
Doctor Tranquilino Elicaño passes away
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In an email to the class dated March 19, 2013, classmate Pacita Putong-Sison writes:
Dearest Classmates,
 Please pray for the eternal repose of the soul of our dear batchmate, DR. TRANQUILINO "Jun/Tranqui" V. ELICAÑO, JR., who passed away yesterday, March 18, 2013. His body lies in state at the Arlington Memorial Chapels, Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, where the wake will take place until his interment on Sunday, March 24. Our president Paking Floro and 1st VP Nanding Campos represented our class at the wake this afternoon (March 19). Other details of his untimely demise will be relayed to you as soon as available, since Delma and I plan to attend the wake this Thursday afternoon, March 21, if our health permits. Those who may wish to express personally their condolence to Yvonne Nite-Elicaño and their only child, Tranquilino Rene "T.R." Elicaño may do so at the wake this week. Their home phone number is 712-0468 and FAX is 782-6854. Condolence messages/mass cards can be sent to Yvonne and/or T.R. at 48 E. Rodriguez Avenue (Espana Extension), Quezon City 1102, Philippines.
It will be recalled that JUN was a well-known oncologist who headed Elicaño Cancer Clinic; 1965 recipient of a TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) award for Medicine; former Director of the National Cancer Control Center; writer of articles on medicine in several newspapers, popular lecturer on cancer and its prevention; host of a former radio program, "What's Up, Doc?"; and one of our association's active PROs (the other PRO - retired PNP General Proceso "Jun" Almando, Jr. , now a VP of Manila Bulletin).
May Jun's soul rest in peace!
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A TRIBUTE - By Sara Soliven-De Guzman
[in her column “As A Matter Of Fact” - Philippine Star, April 1, 2013]
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 Two weeks ago one of our Philippine Star columnists and a good family friend, Dr. Tranquilino Elicaño Jr., entered the gates of heaven.
Dr. Elicaño was one of the country’s leading cancer specialists. He was a writer in the Philippine Star, a very close friend of Tita Betty Go-Belmonte and my father Max Soliven. I was also close to his family especially because his only son TR was our student at OB Montessori Center. After TR graduated from high school, we would still meet on different occasions. When my father-in-law was in the middle of his bout with cancer, we sought advice from Dr. Elicaño. When my sister was in the middle of her own crisis with cancer, it was Dr. Elicaño who gave us hope and direction. When members of our family including my father’s mother and sister had cancer, the first doctor we called was Dr. Elicaño. When friends were worried about being diagnosed with cancer, we would right away lead them to Dr. Elicaño’s clinic on E. Rodriguez, Quezon City.
During his wake his wife decided to open the doors to the hundreds of patients Dr. Elicaño had, rich and poor. His happy and congenial persona made patients feel safe. His practical advice made his clients live with cancer not in fear but with hope.
In his Facebook page, he answered questions about cancer and gave good advice. In his regular newspaper column, What’s Up Doc? he gave realistic, straightforward and useful advise on cancer as well as pertinent information on it. What was more special about this man was his big heart and compassion. He was very loving, caring and friendly to everyone. He was approachable. He was such a gentle man with a gentle heart and a soft smile.
We will surely miss you “Jun” (as he is fondly called) and as you enter the Kingdom of God, please continue to heal us through your spirit. I hope that God gives us another doctor who is just as kind, and as warm and as generous as you have been to your patients, friends and family.
Rest in peace now, Doc!
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A TRIBUTE - By classmate Dr. & Mrs. Julio C. Ponce and family
[relayed by Maribel P. Orendain (mporendain@gmail.com) April 1, 2013]
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It breaks my heart to hear about the untimely demise of my best friend, Dr. Tranquilino V. Elicano, Jr. He was my best friend in high school. I vividly remember when his family would invite me to come to their house for sleepovers, to do homework, or just to hang out. Because of him, I got elected as class president. We had a great time in high school. I remember him to be hard-working, always a happy man. He became a doctor and I became an educator. My wife and I made him the godfather of our youngest son. We both went our own way as life brings to us. My family migrated to the U.S. but when we go back to the Philippines, I try to get hold of him.
My wife and I were in the Philippines early March of this year and I contacted him so we can catch up again. Finally, I got a call from him when we were at the hotel and I invited him to come and see us. But he was already so weak and he said he was sick. We talked for a while but I could sense that he was having difficulty talking. I was so happy to hear from him then. My only regret is that I wasn't able to see him.
Now I read this sad news. To my dear friend Tranqui, I will surely miss you. We say goodbye to part again, but when we reach that heavenly shore, we say goodbye to part no more. And the joy that we experience will be there forevermore. Rest in peace, my dear friend, my brother. You're in a much better place now with our God. Our prayers go with your whole family. May they be comforted by the love that only the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brings.
With all our love,
Dr. JULIO C. PONCE and wife RUTH and our whole family
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UPDATE - March 23, 2013 [from Patsy Putong-Sison]
Ophie, Delma and daughter Madel D. Azarraga and I attended Tranqui's wake at past 3 p.m. the on Thursday, March 21 at Arlington Memorial Chapels (Hall B & C opposite the main building) Araneta Avenue, QC. In behalf of UP High Class 1950, we expressed our heartfelt condolences to his widow Yvonne and offered our batch's fervent prayers for the eternal repose of his soul. Yvonne recalled that Jun was always eager to attend our class reunions and often brought her and their only child T.R. along with him to enjoy the close camaraderie among our members and guests. We told her that his untimely demise was a great loss to our class for he always helped us through his free medical advice/treatments to batch mates, served as one of our association's two active PROs, and wholeheartedly supported our projects and activities.
Yvonne said that she really appreciates our batch's sincere sympathy, condolences and prayers and thanks those who have visited Jun's wake (Paking and Nanding, Pons Bernardo, Peping and Letty Laurel, our group of four (Ophie, Delma, Delma’s daughter and myself), and Amador Casiño, who presented to her our batch's Mass Card since Naning Bagabaldo has been ordered by his doctor to rest at home since March 19 due to high blood pressure, insomnia and backache), as well as others who may attend his wake today and interment tomorrow morning, March 24, at Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina.
To those who'd like to send cards, prayer offerings, and messages: Yvonne’s cellphone number is 0920-9104543 and her e-mail address is yvonne_elicano@yahoo.com.
Pneumonia Alert
A friendly reminder to our classmates to have themselves immunized against pneumonia - better safe than sorry!
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UPDATE - March 21, 2013 [from Patsy Putong-Sison]
Going to the Wake
Ophie, Delma and daughter Madel D. Azarraga and I will meet tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, March 21) at SM North EDSA, QC and take a taxi to Arlington Memmorial Chapels, Araneta Avenue to condole with Tranqui's bereaved family, Yvonne and son TR, in behalf of our Batch '50.
Peping Laurel texted that they plan to be at the wake before lunch tomorrow. Doc Pons Bernardo Jr. said he'll surely drop in since his late sister's wake is also being held there. Others indicated that, depending on their schedules, they may go there separately to personally express their sympathy to Jun's loved ones.
Called up Nanding and Paking this morning to get some details about Jun's untimely demise - according to Yvonne daw, Jun died in the Intensive Care Unit of Saint Luke's Hospital after several days of confinement. Cause of death: a new and potent strain of pneumonia which seemed resistant to the strongest antibiotics given to him.
Among Youngest Classmates
Tranqui died on Monday, March 18, 2013 at the age of 77. Actually, he was among the four (4) youngest members of our class, namely: Amelia V. Aquino (1/18/1935), Dr. Antonio Protacio (7/17/1935), Dr. Tranquilino Elicano, Jr. (9/5/1935), and Dr. Juanito Billote (11/23/1935).
Jun’s Obiturary
Following is the text of the obituary which appeared in today’s (March 20, 2013) issue of The Philippine Star:
DR. TRANQUILINO VENZON ELICAÑO, JR.
peacefully joined our Creator on March 18, 2013 at the age of 77.
He is survived by his wife, YVONNE NITE-ELICAÑO
and son, TRANQUILINO RENE ELICAÑO III.
Relatives and friends request all pious readers
to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.
His remains lie in state at the NLJ Center,
Hall B & C of Arlington Memorial Chapels, Inc.,
G. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.
Interment will be on Sunday, March 24, 2013, 9:00 A.M.
at Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina City.
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Messages of Condolence
Several batch mates sent in their sincere condolences to Tranqui's family through text messages, including the following:
1. Col. (ret.) and current reelectionist Mayor of Lubang, Occidental Mindoro JOHNNY SANCHEZ: "Our sincerest sympathy and condolence to Jun's family.”
2. Captain and Master Mariner JOE DIZON of Iloilo City: "Thanks for the info. That reminds me - my anti-pneumonia immunization is already due. Take care."
3. Engr. RUBEN PICZON of Catbalogan City, Samar: "Sudden loss of Jun Elicano makes me wonder what caused his demise . . . Thanks for the pneumonia alert. Per my MD wife, Eve: OK daw magpa-immunize at once. Better do so ASAP and warn other classmates coz we oldies are less resistant, di ba?"
Once again, thanks for your help, Abe Jules and Fe!
Patsy [patsysison@hotmail.com; classmate Pacita Putong-Sison, UP High Class 1950 Alumni Association secretariat]
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ADDITIONAL NOTES
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 Tranqui (as he is known to classmates and friends) had a Facebook page titled “What’s Up DOC ni Dr. Tranquilino Elicaño Jr.” and a Wordpress blog “Dr. Tranquilino Elicaño Jr.”
A Google search for him yields the following entry:
TRANQUILINO ELICAÑO, JR - UP High School Class 1950
www.uphigh1950.org/biodatasheets/TranquilinoElicanoBio.pdf
TRANQUILINO ELICAÑO, JR. – M.D., D.M.R.T. (London) ... Health, Dr. Paulino Garcia, and to the former Minister of Health, Dr. Clemente. Gatmaitan. 2. Chaired ..
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MESSAGES
Dear Yvonne and T.R.,
Siony and I are very much saddened to hear of the untimely death of your beloved husband. We have known Tranqui for the last sixty-three years, and although our visits and get-togethers were far too infrequent, we felt as if we were that close because of the bonding facilitated by our high school class. We enjoyed reliving old memories with him during our 50th and 60th anniversary celebrations in Manila, and we have been looking forward to our 65th anniversary to do it perhaps one more time before we all depart from this world.
Tranqui not only lived a full life, more importantly, he left this world in better shape than when he first saw it by touching the lives of people with his many charitable work, especially the under-served. Equipped with his medical education and practice, he put these to good use in helping many people who needed help.
We will keep you both in our prayers and thoughts.
Our sympathies for a great loss ...
Roger and Siony [rogeraustria@yahoo.com; classmate Roger Austria and wife Siony]
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We are very much saddened to hear another casualty in our very close-knit group. In working the Souvenir Program during our 60th Reunion, along with Abe Julius and Ophie, Vilma and I became a bit familiar with our classmates, their families, careers and accomplishments. So that when we finally met them at the Manila Polo Club, it was as if we had known them personally all along, at least from our viewpoints. All of a sudden we developed another extended family and a very good one at that. Losing one is like losing a part of the family, and we lost two in a span of couple of weeks, Tranqui and Rogie.
Both Tranqui and Rogie were in my class (IV-C). Both younger than myself, clean cut, well-groomed, cooperative and with ready smiles for everybody. Both successful in their family life and chosen field of professions. Both will be sorely missed.
Our condolences to Yvonne and T.R.
Pete and Vilma [p_manansala@sbcglobal.net; classmate Agapito “Pete” Manansala and wife Vilma]
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Thanks Patsy.Will pray for him and his family.
Tom Rigor [rigor.thomas@yahoo.com; classmate Thomas Rigor]
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Thanks for sharing the news. Please extend to the family our sincere condolences and may the Lord comfort the family at this time.
Fe [FeSuaco@aol.com; classmate Fe Abarquez-Suaco]
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Salamat, Patsy for sharing the sad, untimely death of our batchmate, Tranqui. This sure is untimely as he is one of the youngest, if not the youngest in our class. Any details of the cause/s of death? We will send Yvonne and T.R. our condolences.
Regards ...
Roger and Siony [rogeraustria@yahoo.com; classmate Roger Austria and wife Siony]
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Very said news indeed. "Fathead" as we very fondly nicknamed and called Tranquilino was my very good friend that we did a lot of of things together in UP High and was my basketball-mate with the Redskins. I will sorely miss him. I am sure that when his soul stood naked and alone before that Great White Throne, he heard from him who sitteth there as Judge Supreme, those welcome words: "Well done my good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the world."
My condolences go to his family!!!
Paddy [dotpad@netzero.net; classmate Sinforoso “Paddy” Padilla Jr.]
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Norma and I extend our condolences to Yvonne and TR on the loss of their husband and father, the country’s foremost medical doctor. Tranqui will continue to live in our thoughts and our memories of the good old days.
~Julius [julius@jcwillis.com; classmate Julius C. Willis, Jr. and wife Norma]
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