Cardinal Tagle’s Family to Turn Mourning into Aid for Nepal Flood Victims

The family of Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle has asked friends and well-wishers to turn expressions of sympathy into assistance for victims of the devastating floods in Nepal, as relatives, priests, religious sisters and friends gathered for a wake Mass for his father, Manuel “Tatay Maning” Tagle Sr., on September 8.

The 5:30 p.m. Mass was celebrated at the Bishop’s House in Imus, Cavite, and attended by about 100 people, including more than 15 priests, religious sisters, relatives and friends.

Cardinal Tagle’s elderly mother, Milagros “Mila” Gokim Tagle, attended the Mass and sat in the front row for a time, assisted by her younger son, Manuel Gokim Tagle Jr.

After the Mass, Cardinal Tagle briefly recalled his father’s quiet service to others. Manuel Sr., known affectionately as “Tatay Maning,” served as a Eucharistic minister for more than 20 years.

Cardinal Tagle said many people had told him that his father brought Communion to sick members of the community and visited them regularly.

“I think my Tatay may have visited more sick people than I have,” Cardinal Tagle joked.

He said he was also surprised when a woman told him that his father had helped send her child to school.

Cardinal Tagle described his father as someone who loved life and shared its gifts with others in his own way, quietly doing good without seeking recognition.

His younger brother, Manuel Jr., shared a similar appreciation of their father in a conversation with Radio Veritas Asia.

“Tatay Maning is a very simple person, admired by all walks of life,” he said. “He likes to help, especially the poor.”

Manuel Jr. said the family had only gradually discovered the extent of their father’s generosity.

“We never knew that he is helping everyone, giving scholarships to poor kids,” he said, describing this as “something admirable.”

“We hope the legacy continues,” he added. “We try to share. We cannot just keep them. We will continue to pray for them.”

A small donation box placed beside the chapel bore a reference to Nepal, reflecting the family’s request that people make donations for those affected by the floods instead of sending flowers.

Cardinal Tagle recalled that when devastating floods and landslides struck Nepal, his father was in the hospital. Cardinal Tagle and his mother were together watching the news when his mother, seeing images of the destruction and loss of life, turned to him and said, “We should do something.”

Cardinal Tagle replied, “Yes, Mom, we will.”

After his father’s death, the family decided to turn that intention into a concrete gesture.

“Instead of sending flowers, make a small donation. It will be a help to the victims of Nepal,” Cardinal Tagle said.

The wake Mass was attended by representatives of Radio Veritas Asia, including General Manager Fr. Felmar Fiel, SVD, Programme Director Fr. John Mi Shen, and other RVA priests.

At the conclusion of the gathering, Cardinal Tagle invited those present to a small reception outside the chapel. He later spent considerable time greeting people and sharing a word with them.

When he saw Fr. John Mi Shen, Cardinal Tagle told him, “You guys have come from a long distance. You better hurry and get your dinner.”

Even in a moment of personal grief, Cardinal Tagle’s concern for the needs of others offered a poignant glimpse of the quiet legacy he attributed to his father.

Manuel “Tatay Maning” Tagle Sr. died on September 6 at the age of 96. He and Milagros were married for 70 years and had two sons, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Manuel Jr.

The funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. on September 10 at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Pillar (Imus Cathedral).