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Country Post The Countr y Post

August 6, 2011

July 23, 2011 was indeed a sad day for many because of the death of a very remarkable man, a man who played many roles in the so many relationships he fostered through his lifetime: relationships marked by his innate generosity and kindness. He was a son, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, friend, boss, mentor, even pastor to a group of men. He was an engineer by profession but he was also a politician, businessman, builder, farmer, church leader, servant and yes, disciple of Jesus Christ because he was willing and humble enough to become one. He was JULIUS G. LANZAR. How did he live the sixty-six years of his life? With passion and this he did not lose until he drew his last breath. Passion filled the man. Passion enabled him to give to others. It was with passion that he shared love for his family. It was with passion that he cared for his friends. It was with passion that he served our Lord and our church. He just had this overwhelming capacity to share his passion for life that made his persona truly unforgettable. It was this passion that made him leave an indelible mark in our lives (the people whom he touched). He realized Gods love. He loved people and he was loved in turn, making his passing truly a reason to mourn. Many cried. Many missed him. But many more rejoiced because Julius Lanzar is now with our Lord enjoying his eternal reward. When you meet him, you will walk away with a part of him: be it his humor, his wit, his wisdom, his goodwill, and yes, his generosity and kindness. Throughout his life he was constantly touching people, sharing what he had; becoming in the words of his eldest son Omar: a channel of blessings to many (which he did I might add, with an infectious smile on his face). I agree with Omar because I too, have been blessed to have met and to have been befriended by his father whom I call Tito Julius. When I first met Julius Lanzar, I was immediately taken by this mans sense of magnanimity. He exuded goodwill. The man had his heart in the right place. I do not say this lightly, because though we exchanged a few words, the first time we met, he was an encouraging and reassuring presence. For someone like me, then, a newly committed Christian, who was sharing his personal testimony for the first time with a gathered group of men, I felt with Tito Julius, everything would be all right and it did. Like other effective leaders, Tito Julius was charming and in a very open way; without guile and malice. He was somebody that you could trust. In fact, this was oft repeated of him: that he gave a sense of assurance that no matter what, everything will be all right. I heard this not only from his family and his friends, but even from those who were not even close to him. You could not be in his periphery without him establishing a relationship with you. Trust was an essential element of this relationship. There was always a sense of willingness from him to extend his hand of friendship. You know that he was going to do you right. That alone speaks volumes of the mans character and indeed Julius G. Lanzar was such a character. Tito Julius younger sister Melba Debulgado, a long time US resident, speaking at the necrological service by the His Life Family for her beloved brother said this of him: he was larger than life. He was like the hero in an epic movie, she added, but more so because he brought his brand of heroism to real life. She recalled the kind of sacrifices that Julius made when they were younger, working the fields because his help was needed by their father. She knew how tired he must have been coming home from hard toil in the fields, but she did not hear him ever utter a single word of complaint. She could not help but cry when she related how her older brother took over the responsibility of being tatay to her and their siblings when their father died. He did so willingly, without any resentment to the tragic turn of events in their lives. She continued relating: how he was able to finish school; gain a profession, become a successful contractor and the many other colorful turns his life took. He faced many challenges and overcame them. He had his share of victories and also defeats. He had his ups and his downs but when he would fall, he would unfailingly get up and move on. When he became a Christian, he too committed himself with a passion, and from the start was a pillar of strength for the His Life Family. Julius G. Lanzar was truly

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Bert Armada

Solomons Solomons Corner

PASSING G. THE PASSING OF JULIUS G. LANZAR

larger than life. Melba could never forget her brothers many act of kindness not only to her and his other siblings but even to strangers whom she felt were taking advantage of her brothers generous heart. But he did not mind because for him kindness was as natural as breathing. She related how she witnessed his generosity when her brother was mayor of their town. Everyday, he faced a long line of people who came to him asking for help: a sick husband, hungry children, tuition for a daughter in college and other mundane needs of his constituents. Tito Julius was always ready to pull out his wallet and give what he had and if he did not have anything to give he would ask from others who did. The real measure of a mans character is how he reacts to defeat. Melba saw how his brother lost the mayoralty of San Enrique, but this did not turn Tito Julius bitter or resentful. He was gracious even in this setback, accepting of the will of the people of San Enrique. Though he was not able to see his vision for the town of San Enrique come to reality, he recognized that a Higher Authority was calling him to a different kind of service, hence there was no rancor in his heart. In his short term as mayor, he put in a real effort to improve the lives of the people, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated public service. At the necrological service for him by the municipality, on the Tuesday morning of August 2, 2011 he was accorded proper honor as a former mayor. His body was laid in state at the San Enrique Sports and Cultural Center right beside the Municipal Building as town officials and employees gathered for the necrological service and final viewing. A large crowd turned up to pay their last respects to a true son of San Enrique. People from all walks of life and different social backgrounds came. There was a genuine outpouring of sympathy and condolence from the people of San Enrique and that morning was marked by a program prepared to honor Julius G. Lanzar. The acting mayor Hon. Abner D. Jardinico, delivered the opening remarks. Tributes came from the towns officialdom led by the mayor, Hon. Mario E. Magno, a member of the Sanguniang Bayan, Hon. Philipps Ayson and the municipal accountant, Mr. Celedonio Ofalla. The Sanguniang Bayan passed a resolution recognizing and honoring Julius G. Lanzar for his selfless service to the people of San Enrique, which was presented to his wife, Arlina D. Lanzar. An inspiring message was given by Pastor Luisito Tomado: (President, Negros Occidental Conference of Seventh Day Adventist Church) which gives the Christian a reason to celebrate death as the passing into eternal life. The response from the Lanzar family was given by Julius Lanzars eldest son, Omar, who came all the way from Chicago, Illinois to say goodbye to his father. Omar thanked all those who condoled with their family and shared his memories of what kind of person Julius Lanzar was. Omar above all praised his father for his humility and his example in living the life of a committed Christian. Omar recognized his father was not perfect. He had his share of flaws as we all do. He had his faults but then it is the effort that his father put to live a life that sought to touch others with generosity and kindness, that is worthy of emulation. Omar continues to be inspired by the life of his father, thankful that he is now at peace, spared from physical suffering and at rest in the bosom of our Father in Heaven. After the necrological service at the San Enrique Sports and Cultural Center which was inside the municipal compound, lunch was served at the Lanzar Family home in San Enrique. Meanwhile, many vehicles including open trucks were parked within the municipal compound and along the road fronting the Municipal Hall, waiting for the start of the funeral motorcade that would bring the remains of Julius Lanzar to his final resting place at the Palm Heavens Park in Bacolod City. I shared lunch with the family of Tito Julius and talked with his many grandchildren, all of whom I know will miss their lolo who doted on them. I am very fond of them and they all know me because of the time I served His Lambs our childrens church. He gave his grandchildren special attention and was such a loving grandfather. Though he loved all his grandchildren, I noticed Tito Julius especially favored Alex, daughter of youngest son Julius Jr. whom he really spent time with. His daughter Karleen best illustrated how her tatay translated his love into action. On rainy days, when Karleen has to pick up Ethan from Trinity, she calls her tatay to fetch Ethan from school because of the rain. He never gave excuses. He always did come. This, Karleen said, she will miss. This was the kind of willingness to serve that Tito Julius displayed be it in small or big ways. His heart was bigger than his girth and he had that smile to go with it. Tito Julius would have liked that statement and would have laughed with me. At about one in the afternoon, under a scorching sun, a long line of vehicles, (the funeral motorcade) led by a police van with flashing lights headed for Bacolod, followed by a white funeral hearse carrying the body of Tito Julius. People rode in the open trucks and pickups, braving the heat of the midday sun, just to accompany this good man to his final resting place. I drove a van and joined the funeral motorcade heading for Palm Haven Park in Bacolod. I was more than happy to be of service to the family of Tito Julius by driving for them. I had on board family members, like, Tina his niece, together with her husband and 7 year old daughter. I asked Tina what she could say about Tito Julius and her immediate response was that he was a good provider and was a generous man. Generosity is a recurring comment about Tito Julius. The two younger sisters of Tito Julius were silent, including his youngest daughter, Sha who was seated at the last row. Their hearts were heavy with grief, their eyes swollen from crying, each one probably contemplating memories of him. I too felt a heaviness as we approached the park and entered its gates. The park was already filled with vehicles and the chapel was teeming with an overflow of people. In the near corner of the chapel a group of men clad in barong were gathered. Tito Julius life group were all present and in formal barong to say goodbye to their brother, leader, friend. Pastor Joebert specifically requested the Kingsmen (our mens network) to wear barongs and most did, lending an added air of solemnity to the occasion. It seemed liked the whole His Life Family showed up
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Country Post The Countr y Post

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ANDREW AURELIO B. LOCSIN

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Country Post The Countr y Post

August 6, 2011

T he C hristian E xchange
G. JULIUS G. LANZAR
September 26, 1944 - July 23, 2011 The His life Family have lost its father because indeed Julius Lanzar was a father figure to many in our church. In the same way that he showed his love for his family, he too shared with the His Life Family his love, kindness and generosity. Julius Lanzar lived a life that mattered to many because he was a channel of blessings to the lives that he touched. We are saddened by his loss yet celebrate his passing into eternal life, where we know he is smiling with that inimitable smile of his. We will miss you, but we rejoice with you. Thank you Lord for giving us such an extraordinary man. Here are some of the things his His Life Family said of him. Ever since I knew Julius, until he passed away, he remained true to character, very helpful, generous and what we all would want to be: a good man. He was easy going and approachable. If you needed a friend to turn to whenever you had a problem, there was none like him in his willingness to help. He knew how to live his life and was a very good provider for his family. He took his responsibilities seriously whether with family, friends or other people. He had seen what the world had to offer and in his own way found his peace, not because he had wealth but because he had faith. He faced problems with a smile on his face because he had Jesus Christ in his life. DODO GARCIA Julius was a jolly person. His optimism was contagious. We will be missing his punchline and the godly wisdom he shared. BEBING SAYSON We will cherish the happy moments that we spent with you. You were more than a friend. He was a brother, counselor, and an encourager, mentor, buddy, most all confidante. Goodbye, brother Julius. ALFONSO FAJARDO Brother Julius was a friend; a brother comrade for Jesus Christ. He was a pillar of strength for our ministry. He was also an encourager and faithful servant of the Lord. We will miss him. Glory to God. He is now with our Lord. FEDILA FAJARDO He was a strong believer; active in ministry; good example, generous and many others. LANDO CABAHUG Julius Lanzar was a good spiritual leader; a big brother to me at HLM (Jollibee) his untimely death is a big loss to the ministry. ANDRES MENDOZA As for me, brother Julius was a friend, mentor, father, encourager and a great leader. SANTIAGO GULLION (Toktok) Julius was a friend, spiritual guardian, father and the most practical person I have ever met. He is always at your side to assist in every situation. HECTOR BENARES He is our earthly refuge and a good provider. PASTOR SUNNY & GIGI DIOSANA He is a loving father, supportive, strict but gentle, a person you can lean on, hug or touch; easy to approach and share our thoughts with. PASTOR RANTY & FAITH CAMPONION He is the kind of person who supports you all out in whatever decision you make. Reliable and dependable. PASTOR ARMIN RAMOS Tatay Julius was a wonderful counselor for me in times of problem with my family. He told me to always show humility, patience and love. VIC VILLALUNA I thank God for giving us our first Vision Partner; for inspiring us as fellow church planters; for having an LTS batch mate; for fatherly counsel and a model disciple leader. Thank you Jesus for your redemption of Tatay Julius. PASTOR REY & JUVY DEL ROSARIO Tatay Julius was like a father to me. I was a product also of his guidance and wisdom. Every time I was down in my spiritual life, Tatay Julius was there for me. Tatay Julius was my defender, my provider and my personal driver, my partner in serving the Lord at Pontevedra. There were so many things that I learned from him. Tay, thank you so much for everything that youve done in my life. I will never forget you Tay. I love you. PASTOR JONAS & THE CUBING FAMILY: CLOONEY, SAM, & MAT He was my second father who always gave me wise advice. He was a loving father. He was an example to be followed in the areas of loving Jesus and serving the church. PASTOR RAYMOND & ELLEN JAMORA Tatay Julius was at the center of influence to anyone; whether you are an old member or new comer to HLM. You did not feel intimidated by him because of his friendly nature accompanied by his paternal smile and humor. PASTOR ERIC & TERESA NEGADO Young and old adore him because he knows how to respect and value them regardless of age. I cherished the time I have with him as we were able to travel and serve together in the ministry. A great encourager and influencer. ANDY LOCSIN

Tatay Julius at his best

At His Life Central sharing his life testimony Together with pastors & staff

At an Encounter Weekend With Jollibee partner and site head Vic Villaluna