Hi there Tito/Tita/Uncle/Auntie/Cousin/Friend,

 

Firstly, thank you for clicking on this link. I know you were surprised as much as we were about my dad’s sudden passing. My name is Ponso and I am the second son of Edgar “Gary” Ramirez.

 

It happened last March 15, 2022, at 8:00PM, just a few hours before their PR105 flight back to Manila after staying with us for a vacation. My dad suffered a fatal sudden cardiac arrest while in the passenger seat of the car I was driving to SFO Airport from Alameda, CA.

 

It has taken me a few days to be able to write all of this down. I am still in disbelief how my dad can be here one minute and gone the next. The immense consolation we are clinging on to now is knowing my dad was a devotee of St. Joseph, who, among many things, is the patron of a happy death.

 

“Those who pray through his intercession are certain to die in good disposition. He is the model of those who wishes to die in the Lord.” —St. Julian Eynard

 

And in true fashion of a happy death, since it was the day of his flight, a beautiful gift papa received was being able to say his goodbyes to us and give his see-you-laters to his friends and family in Manila.

 

One of the proud things I am of papa is how he was always prepared. Spiritually, physically, and even for the unthinkable. Over the past years, papa accumulated a handful of modest financial vehicles so that we would not be burdened for his final rites. However, the reality of the situation is that these will take time to access, and there are already upfront costs that are very particular about papa's situation, passing away so suddenly in a land far away from home.

 

What we are asking right now, first and foremost, are prayers for papa. Let us storm the heavens with our prayer intentions that God may welcome him already into His loving arms.

 

Secondly, if you are in the area, please join our family for a farewell mass with final viewing on April 9, 2022 between 10:00 AM-12:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Basilica Alameda, CA. More details here: https://fb.me/e/1nDJA0ymM

 

One more thing we are asking is if you can give financially to help us with the upfront costs to get papa’s mortal remains back home to Manila as soon as possible.

 

Lastly, any personal contacts you can connect me with the Philippine Consulate General would be appreciated. You can reach me through private message found in this post. (Edit: this is mostly okay already, for now)

 

Thank you again for your help, be it in prayers, your kind words, or your thoughts.