Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc.

Kaangayan, Kalambuan, Kalinaw ... sa Mindanaw, sa Pilipinas, sa Kalibutan

Tribute to a Former Colleague, A Friend, A Mentor, 
A Mindanawan Leader -- Mr. Rey Magno Teves
By Ayi Hernandez

(Delivered in the House of Representatives, November 16, 2009)

Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, fellow travelers, and visitors in the house of the people, maayong gabii kaninyong tanan. This humble representation would like to speak for personal and collective privilege about a former colleague who joined his creator after journeying a well lived life both in Government Service and Civil Society.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, who can forget a former colleague here in the house of the people, who used his wit and creativity to advance his advocacies. Who can forget this person who brought with him a guitar and sing a song related to his advocacies in one of his privilege speech in this chamber to capture the attention of his colleagues and to break the ice of speeches and interpellations? Who can forget this colleague who always volunteered to lead every prayer, again, just to advance his advocacies, especially the advocacies of Mindanawons? Who can forget former colleague Mr. Rey Magno Teves of the 8th Congress who is the principal author of Urban Development Housing Act (RA 7279) that benefited millions of families in the urban areas in the country to have access to affordable and decent homes and social services.

Ever since I entered the realm of social development work in Mindanaw in 1991, the name of Rey Magno Teves was already very popular. He was popular obviously not just because of his ala Elvis Presly voice and dancing skills, he is not popular because of his handsome and bright aura. He is popular because he speaks from his heart and soul. He speaks with truth that every Mindanaw can identify himself or herself with. His way of delivering his message is forceful yet peaceful, deeply passionate yet gentle, making sure the listener will listen from their hearts.

His credibility as a government servant and as a Mindanawan advocate is an example of every public servant to emulate. A clean and solid credibility based on accountability and performance that every Mindanawan and Filipino is seeking, waiting and praying. Cong. Teves has shown what it is to become a true public servant when he performed his duties as Urban Poor Sectoral Representative, as a member of the Board of Directors of LandBank of the Philippines and of the Development Bank of the Philippines, and as director of Philippine Information Agency above par.

Even while in Government, Cong. Teves took leadership roles in various Mindanaw level configurations, as the first Chairperson of MINCODE, MINCON, and Lihok Pideral Mindanaw. He is also the convenor of Mindanaw Peace Advocates Conference and secretary general of Kusog Mindanaw.

Anak Mindanaw, thru this humble representation, would like to pay tribute to the person, whom I consider a mentor, a friend, a colleague both in NGO and Government service, who has inspired this representation and millions of Mindanawans to continue the never ending work and advocacies for the Rightful Representation of Mindanawans in the three branches of Government and for the Just and Equitable Share of Mindanaw in the National Budget.

My dear colleagues, Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, let us offer a minute of silence and pray for our dear colleague that he may have a good rest with his Creator. A very good rest that he can view the important chapters of his recent lifetime and proudly tell the Great Architect of the Universe, Lord this is my humble offering to your precious gift called Life. Take a good rest Rey, my mentor, a very good hearted friend, so when the Great Architect will command you to go back to earth then you will have sufficient energy and blessings to continue our advocacies for Mindanaw and for our Country.