Dennis Tonel


We were cleaning our house in Catalunan Grande yesterday when I found this note that my sister-in-law, Denise, wrote on the night before Papa was laid to his final resting place. I found the note among all the papers and other things that she hoarded 😁 in her room in the house.  This was supposed to be read before Papa's funeral. 

Denise was quite unwell that evening. Long hours and tiring travel from Quetta, Pakistan, lack of sleep, distress of losing Papa, and fighting all the sadness and tears took a toll on her body.  When we took her home to Catalunan from San Pedro funeral home, she couldn't go inside the house because she didn't have the key with her. She had to then ride a taxi back to her condo at around 2AM and still, she managed to find some energy left to write this note for Papa. 

She was able to read this note at Cathedral after the funeral mass. Unfortunately, the sound system was terrible, people could hardly hear what she was reading. So I thought, I better save this note here because it's beautiful, especially since it was written with all the efforts she put in that early morning.


Dennis Tonel

He was born lucky. My grandma said that he almost died inside my grandma's womb. Hence, the name Dennis was taken from a ship survivor my Lola found on a paper. As a kid, he was really fun-loving and mischievous. I could imagine him as the Dennis the menace cartoon character. But why was he so loved by his family and friends?

1) He was selfless, never selfish as a person. If you see us his children as generous, it was because of him. He would tell me, "Anak if you visit your grandparents, even if you have no money, bring something - maski 1/2 kilo fish. This will make them happy. 

2) Peace-loving brother to his siblings. If there were family problems, he would say to them "pasagdi na lang"

3) He may not be the best provider, but he is the most doting father to his children, Denise, Edenn, Hanna and Son-in-law, Sugeng. 

We will not be able to taste his yummy food and cooking. 

4) He was a loving and obedient son to his parents. He used to do the heavy household chores his mom would ask him, he was Lola's precious boy - Lola had searched for him when Pinatubo erupted. he was the one attending Lolo at the hospital when he was sick. His parents died in his arms, and now he is in their loving arms. 

5) He was a caring, thoughtful uncle to his nieces and nephews. he would always remind me if their birthday comes. his love overflows - that all of them showed their love and affection in return when he was sick. "Your papa deserves a beautiful send-off". 

6) To his friends - he was fund-loving, funny and genuine. That's why he could keep friends for a lifetime. 

7) He may not be rich, but he defined the true meaning of love - selflessness. 


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