By DONALD BORJA SEVILLA

“SIX FEET BELOW THE GROUND LIES A GOOD MAN.” The fearless and indefatigable media icon and news anchor, the late Boy “BG” Guingguing was finally laid to rest yesterday. Born of humble beginnings, he worked his way to the top of his career under the tutelage of a great mentor, the acknowledged godfather of Bohol media, the late Atty. Jun Dejaresco. Throughout his career he showed an exemplary flair and savvy for his craft. Not a graduate of any formal journalism degree, he was a natural to the trade as fish is to water. You have to give the guy credit as he breezed through the “University of Life” with flying colors. His life was colorful not bereft of controversy but being the man that he was, he always stood with feet firmly planted on the ground.

A good twenty years ago, I had a chance to meet the man up close and personal. It was a friendship born out of mutual respect and nurtured over time even without benefit of constant company. The late “BG” was one of a few good souls who you could aptly say was a true person. Not one to hide his feelings and sugarcoat his remarks, he spoke his mind when he wanted to and expressed what he felt. But beneath all this “street smart” façade he was a true and real person who never forgot his roots. An admirable character in this day and age of “sycophants” and “vested interests.” No saint for sure but as a man he stood at par with the rest of the best.

He may now be gone from us to the world beyond but his legacy will live on. His fighting spirit and the will to live foremost of all. Suffering a long 9 years in silent agony because of his medical ailment is by far a no ordinary feat. When he took to the anchor's booth to start his commentaries, you cannot sense that he suffered from an ailment in his voice. His wit and candid remarks typical of his crude and grassroots approach to burning issues of the day. The radio programs that he anchored and made popular to this day will never be the same without his trademark wit and rhetoric. But to the rest of us who for years had heard and seen him at work, these will sorely be missed. To the family of this man, I extend my heartfelt condolences. To the friends who shared good times and broke bread with him, let the memories linger on. We treasure friends and grieve over their loss for they make life's journey, a worthwhile walk.

May his soul rest in peace!