by Djoma de Guzman
How do you say thank you and goodbye to a special friend who so suddenly moves to another life at the young age of 41? Atty. Danilo S. Macasieb, a colleague during the teaching stint at the Lyceum-Northwestern Dagupan City, steadfast advocate of good government, conscientious law practitioner, loving and devoted partner to his wife and, doting father to his children will be deeply missed.
Fortunately, I was able to visit Danny at his law office in Poblacion, Mangaldan during a brief visit to our town last April 2008. He almost fell from his seat surprised to see me in front of him when I am supposed to be in Canada. 'Pare' Danny! And we fell into a big hug, long lost friends now together again. The bond of friendship started in Lyceum when Danny and I taught our respective disciplines. He covered political science and philosophy. He was simultaneously going through his law studies then. A few years after, he would demonstrate how local Mangaldan talent, using local resources, Dagupan and Baguio, would best other bar examinees from prestigious law schools in Metro Manila and Cebu. We shared dreams of bringing in change into our hometown, make it more responsive to the needs of the community.
Danny was more fortunate than me in getting elected to the municipal government. That role, in our opinion, was a powerful avenue for introducing change. Danny served for 2 terms, starting in 2001- 2007. On his 3rd try, he lost. I never asked him why that happened. The brief exchange during the visit was for more of the brighter side of life, his young family and my own family, plus the two new 'apos'. He was amused with the idea that he is now a 'Lolo' because his 'ina-anak', Johann, my son, now has two children.
When Johann was due for the Catholic rite of Confirmation, I invited Danny to stand in as 'ninong' to Johann. I asked Danny to be Johann's guide to his roots in Mangaldan when the time should come that I would no longer be around to perform that role. That would no longer be the case, since Danny has gone ahead of me.
Years after, Danny returned the 'ninong' gesture by inviting me to be one of the primary sponsors to his wedding. While Danny was able to make the trip to Quezon City to be 'ninong' to Johann, I missed the wedding and asked my other 'pare' (now Councilor) Arturo Fabia to proxy for me.
So what are you up to now, Danny? He replied, "I am putting up a barangay library in David. The school premises there has a room to house the setup. It would have some computer hardware and an internet connection to give access to students to the worldwide learning resources and to give parents the opportunity to email or 'Skype' their children who are abroad." Even out of politics, Danny remained committed to introducing development into our town. He planned to use his connections as a former President of the Rotary Club of Mangaldan to solicit books for the library.
You will be missed Danny! Your mission has been accomplished and so you have been called back by our Good and Loving Lord. Thank you for sharing your life with us! See you then when our turn comes to join you and other loved ones in the other life.
