MANILA — Every Valentine’s Day, Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman would receive a rose from her father, Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman.

This year, for the first time, she won’t, as the lawmaker passed away on Thursday at the age of 82.

“Ngayon, hindi na lang roses ang mahalaga but the memories of all those years that he really showed us how much he loved us and how important and valued we are sa kanya,” Lagman said at the wake for her late father at the Minor Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Quezon City on Friday.

“Palagay ko, no roses can replace those nice memories,” she added.

Colleagues, fellow lawmakers pay tribute to Rep. Lagman

The mayor recalled having witnessed the love letters her parents exchanged every Valentine’s Day. She said her father’s support was evident in the small gestures, like buying her school supplies.

"Kasama namin siya sa lahat naming mga assignments and siya bumibili ng mga crayons namin ng mga school supplies growing up sa elementary."

"He always celebrates milestones with us, napakahalaga 'yon para sa kanya to always celebrate with family."

Now, with both parents gone, Lagman said she holds on to the faith that her father is watching over them. 

“To lose a father, I think, is one of the most painful experiences… but to lose a highly principled and respected leader is a big loss not just to our family but to the entire country,” she said.

Having recently filed her candidacy for district representative, the Tabaco mayor vowed to continue her father's legacy.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman passes away

NO TALKS OF SUCCESSION FOR LP

Lagman said there have been no discussions yet on who will take over as president of the Liberal Party following her father’s passing.

She announced that an “LP Night” will be held on February 8, with a necrological service and community singing as part of the program.

Among those who have paid their tribute to the late lawmaker is Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who attended the wake on Friday night.

“Working with him throughout the years has taught me that we are never really alone when we stand up and speak out for what is right for our people and our nation,” Hontiveros said in an online post.

Other political figures, including former Senate President Franklin Drilon, former Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, and former Sen. Leila de Lima, also paid their respects at the wake.

Lagman was the principal author of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, the Compensation Law for Martial Law Victims, the Anti-Torture Act, and the law abolishing the death penalty.

His remains will be in Albay from February 2 to 4, then returned to Mt. Carmel Shrine on February 5.

Mayor Lagman also announced that public viewing at Mt. Carmel Shrine is welcomed.

“The outpouring of support of condolences of kind words about Papa, talagang nakakatuwa… kasi nakikita namin ang pagkakakilala ng mga tao kay papa,” she said.

“Yun ang nagpapalakas sa amin that his life was not lived for nothing… the people who remember him remembers him fondly because of his kindness, his courage, his tenacity, his principles,” she added.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on February 10, with interment to follow at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.

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