Ron Would Be Pleased

Since we dedicated our new facilities a few months ago, my work at the shelter has taken me many times past the plaques of recognition we put up for that event. One plaque was in honor of Ron Duterte, our close friend and the president of our foundation for more than 25 years. When I pass this plaque in his honor and in memoriam, I often think about him and what he meant to CSC's ministry and our staff.
I think to most people in Cebu, Ron was known as an attorney, or mayor of Cebu City, or president of the University of Southern Philippines, the positions he most prominently held. I think to most people in Cebu, Ron was known as someone that people could ask something from, or even expect something from, the unavoidable expectation of being a politician and person of power in the Philippines. I have to imagine in some ways that must have been a lonely side of his life - never being able to meet the expectations of everyone that would come to his door, and then to have people stop coming when he was no longer in a position to provide.

It was not that way at CSC for Ron. Sure, Ron did countless things to help CSC get off the ground in its fledgling years. He continued to do things for CSC and our kids until the day he passed away four years ago. Helping our ministry was a top priority for Ron and we wouldn't be were we are today without his help. He was always happy to give and didn't have to be asked to meet one of our needs. God certainly used Ron mightily for His kingdom.

But CSC was a place where Ron could relax and catch his breath away from the pressures of court appearances, leading the second largest city in the Philippines, or running a major university. Ron was our friend, our mentor, our golf buddy, a facilitator and host for a lot of our recreation, and a fierce competitor at table games. He was our kids' defender and also their Santa Claus. He was just as comfortable with a child on his lap as he was helping to provide legal counsel for one.

No single person has ever done more to help CSC be the champion it is for homeless and neglected children in the Philippines. He brought CSC from its infancy to the mature and respected ministry it is today. For that reason we honored him by naming the Duterte Home after him - a home that provides love for the least of God's little ones in Cebu. The plaque that honors his name and his memory hangs on the wall outside Joemar and Jacob's room, two of God's children with special needs that Ron knew for 20 years.

Ron would be pleased.