By Keziah G. Huelar

 
Mr. Lincoln Rex Quimpo Drilon, like his father, was a man of principle and great faith. He loved CPU as much as Dr. Drilon did.

Remembering the life, love, and works of Mr. Lincoln Rex Quimpo Drilon, CPU held a memorial service in his honor at the University Dining Hall on February 21, 2019. Lincoln is the son of the Central Philippine University’s first Filipino President, Dr. Rex D. Drilon,

The opening prayer was led by Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor, University Church. It was then followed by a reflection by Rev. Roger T. Quimpo, cousin of Lincoln and the Pastor for Outreach, University Church.

In his message, Rev. Quimpo talked about God’s gift of life, happiness and salvation. Reflecting on the life of Job in the Bible, he shared about the sorrow of man and God’s everlasting grace. The death of a loved one may feel equivalent to the loss of life and source of happiness but according to Rev. Quimpo, the end of physical life is the start of a beautiful eternity with God: “When physical life is taken, heaven’s life begins. We know that there are no grief, no weeping, and no heartaches in heaven. Real happiness is not of earth but of heaven.”

 Rev. Quimpo adds that it is Christ’s gift of salvation that ensures everlasting life and happiness: “As we remember the gift of salvation, hope shines in us through the valley of death. Yes, indeed God has taken life but God has not forgotten us because in Christ Jesus, we have salvation—sure, steadfast, eternal and blessed.”

Classmates of Mr. Lincoln Drilon, CPU High School Batch 1959, rendered a musical number.

 After the reflection, a video presentation on the life of Lincoln was shown. It was then followed by a musical offering led by his high school classmates, CPU HS Batch 1959.

Sharing fond memories of Lincoln, Ms. Romea P. Gobuyan, Lincoln’s classmate fondly recalled “Linc” as one eloquent in the English language and as a man of music: “The class valedictorian, Linc was very active in declamation and oration. Through the years, we were like brothers and sisters. He was a friend, a classmate, a brother I never had.”

 Mr. Zandro Caipang, also Lincoln’s classmate from kindergarten to high school, remembers him as a man devoted to excellence with a heart for his fellow Centralians: “My own memories go far back to our kindergarten days in CPU. In primary school, Linc and [his brother], Ed Nathan, were sort of my protectors. I was the shy and timid type and I still am, but no one picked on me because the Drilon brothers were there. Lincoln had an excellent mastery of the English language, the written and spoken word. Then came high school, we bonded with other classmates calling ourselves “Dominos.” Lincoln carried a double six domino chip. He was our top man, a born leader. We were not a rough and rowdy bunch but we were just young teenagers enjoying high school life.”

 A special number was then given by Ms. Marissa Montelibano, a friend of the late Lincoln Drilon and Ms. Crista S. Huyong, Director, CPU Cultural Affairs Office.

The closing prayer was then led by Ms. Gobuyan.

Lincoln would visit CPU every time the university commemorated the life of his father, Dr. Drilon. He was passionate about preserving the legacy of his father so that future Centralians might also pursue the noble cause Dr. Drilon did.

During his last address to the CPU community, Lincoln expressed his father’s great love for the University: “In his life, with all the roles he had to play, perhaps the most fulfilling were the ones that involved CPU. His years of service to Central were his happiest years. He loved CPU. Today’s commemoration of his death and the renaming of the administration building in his honor is a capping honor given to a man who loved this institution.”