Fil-Chinese Chamber Newsletter November 2009 Vol. VI No. 11
After a lingering illness, Hon. Chiu See Kiat, succumbed to its effect on November 11, 2009 at the M.J Santos Hospital at 5:10 p.m. surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Among his many children, it was Alita, his seventh child, who lovingly took care of him for months on end, not only because she was enjoying her single blessedness and living as she did in the same house along J.C. Aquino Avenue, but as a dutiful and loving daughter.
It will be recalled that the late Gentleman was one of the proprietors of the Southern Star, one of the biggest rice mills hereabout during the logging boom years. It survived the Martial Law years and continued to serve the community until the post EDSA days. It was only in later years that the trade name was changed to OGC Enterprises, under the proprietorship of his son, Oscar. And he remained actively assisting until his health prevented it.
Hon. Chiu See Kiat had been active in the Chinese community in his younger days. He had been associated with the Agusan Chinese Chamber of Commerce now Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Agusan, Inc., Butuan Chinese School now Timber City Academy, the Agusan Filipino Chinese Musical Association, and the latest, the Filipino Chinese Amity Club, Butuan City Chapter, where he had been an officer in all of them.
In those days, when the Butuan Chinese School was established, it was envisioned to be a tuition-free institution for Chinese offspring, primarily set up to inculcate Chinese cultural values and preserve the Chinese Language as the Chinese are proud of their 5,000 year culture and civilization. As an avid advocate, Hon. Chiu See Kiat had been a consistent supporter, voluntarily giving his monthly contributions for the school’s upkeep and operations.
The late gentleman was married to the late Go Ching Luan, also from Kim Chi, Guim Eh, District of Chinkang, Fujian Province, China. The couple raised a brood of eleven children, namely: Teresita Chiu-Albano, now deceased; Renato; Elena Chiu- Tan, married to Rolando Tan of the Crown Thrifti Mart and the chain of movie houses during its heyday; Antonio, now deceased; Corazon Chiu-Ngo; Oscar, the proprietor of their OGC Enterprises; Alita Chiu who helps manage the store with Oscar; Fe Chiu-Co; Emma Chiu-Uy married to Danny Uy; Edita Chiu-Yee, married to Engr. Albert Yee who is connected with the Agusan Plywood Corporation at Manapa, Buenavista; and Rosita Chiu-Tan.
His most notable achievement was when he assumed the presidency of the Chinese Chamber for one full year in 1963. It was during that time when a strong typhoon caused a Taiwanese fishing boat to seek shelter in the Agusan River and as they had run out of food, asked the Chamber for assistance. Hon. Chiu See Kiat took the initiative to give relief to the poor Chinese fishermen by giving them ample rice and canned goods to tide them over for their return trip to Taiwan.
As a past president of the Chamber and an outstanding leader in the community, he was entitled to an Official Necrological Service (Kong Che, in Chinese) that the Filipino Chinese Community should have given him. However, because of time constraint and a scheduled grand community activity, it was simply impossible. We are sincerely thankful that the bereaved family has been very understanding.
Therefore, as outgoing president of the Chamber, I am its representative in extending our sincere Condolences to the bereaved family. Likewise, as Coordinator of the Lourdes Catholic Community, of which many of his children are members, we had offered Holy Mass celebrated by our Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Ronniel Babano, during the wake for the repose of his soul. We have also made it possible that the Funeral Mass could be celebrated in the Lourdes Chapel on a Sunday, which is not usually done.
The children and grandchildren whom he left behind should be proud and be consoled in remembering what he had done during his presence among us; that he had assumed his responsibility to the society where he mingled and done his best to alleviate the sufferings of his fellowmen. For these acts, we are grateful and praise the Hon. Chiu See Kiat.
And so we pray: Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord, and Perpetual Light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the Faithful Departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
(Eulogy delivered by Crispin L. Young on November 15, 2009 during the Funeral Service at the Lourdes Chapel)
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