I will remember Tito Pepe with much gratitude and admiration everytime my seeds become seedlings, when seedlings grow into trees, and trees bear fruit. Every meal with him through our six Batang Transformers Young Leaders Peace Camps meant tasting his latest harvest, learning something new about food propagation, and appreciating nature a little bit more concretely. On our last lunch with Tito Pepe we had an incredibly delicious coconut wine. He delightedly took us through the process of its becoming and we all agreed that it raised our bar for lambanog, as he humbly grinned, beaming with joy. That is the lasting image I have of our energetic Batang Transformers Uncle, co-Founder with our beloved Tatay Nene, dedicated Benefactor of this peace mission, and gracious host to hundreds of Muslim, Christian and Indigenous young leaders. His beautiful forest did not just provide a training ground but also nurtured the culture of peace and creative teamwork, ensured physical and spiritual nourishment, and planted in us the seeds of values and virtue, that guided him and his beloved Philip as they lived their one meaningful and inspiring life. Rest now with our heroes Philip and Tatay Nene dear Tito Pepe, because the seeds you have sown in our hearts are steadfast seedlings that will bear much fruit.
Thank you from our hearts. You are our hero. And thank you to the Pestaño family for opening your hearts to each and every Batang Transformer and to all of us.