Yanson children
honor father

Thousands of people joined the funeral of Dr. Ricardo Yanson, founder of Vallacar Transit, at the Valley of Peace in Bacolod City Saturday after a concelebrated funeral mass at the University of St La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City.

The concelebrated mass was led by Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra and joined by more than 50 priests.

After the mass, his children Roy, Emily, Ginette, Celina, Ricky and Leo Rey delivered eulogies.

Roy described his father as an awesome and hardworking man who led by example. He was also a thoughtful and caring father who remained simple and humble despite what he had achieved, he added.

Seeing how many people loved his father makes his heart overflow, it is such a privilege to be his son, he said.

Emily said he was a great father who wanted the best for his wife and children. He was her strength and her pillar and she cannot imagine life without him, she said.

Ginnette spoke of how her father rose from being a jeepney maker to a bus magnate through hardwork and sacrifice. He wanted to give his family a better life and because of his sacrifices he has left us with comfortable lives, she said.

She said her father is her hero and her idol.

Celina also said her father was her mentor in her business ventures. She described him as energetic and hardworking who did not like lazy people who relied on other people's hard work. “I am truly proud and blessed to be a daughter of Ricardo Yanson,” she said.

Ricky said his father was his role model of what a husband and a parent should be.

Leo Rey spoke of how his father recruited him to join Vallacar Transit, and guided him to run the business.

His father left him with huge shoes to fill but with the help of his mother, his siblings and the people at Vallacar, he said he knows he can do it, Leo Rey said.

“We are who we are because of you. We love you and will surely miss you,” he said.

Terry Galura, a family friend, said Yanson was a stickler for fairness who favored the underdog. He gave his children unconditional love and was an indulgent husband who wanted to see his wife happy.

His drive for excellence was legendary, she also said.*CPG

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