A Posthumous Tribute to Fanuel C. Waga Jr.
The halls of the College of Communication and Information Technology (CCIT) should have echoed with the cheers for Fanuel “Janjan” C. Waga Jr. He should have walked the stage, diploma in hand, his family beaming with pride on June 5, 2025. Instead, his name was called in solemn tribute, his diploma handed to grieving loved ones. At just 22, Janjan’s journey was cut short—but his story, marked by sacrifice, resilience, and love, continues to inspire all who knew him.
Janjan was the kind of person who listened more than he spoke, who cared for others without being asked. At home, he helped in the rice fields. With friends and family, he was the source of laughter—famous for his playful greeting: “Hello everyone, adtuyen ji gwapo nga tao tuy Darapidap’en!” or his teasing quips to his mother and grandmother: “Ma, arrat tuyen ji gwapo nga anak mon!” In every gathering, he brought joy and warmth.
His strength was not just for his immediate family. When third cousins lost their father, and soon after, their sibling Jonas, Janjan stood by John Erick, offering comfort and companionship. He became a father, a brother, a safe space—refusing to let sorrow consume those he loved.
Born on January 16, 2003, in Darapidap, Candon City, Janjan was the second of three siblings. When his father left to work overseas, Janjan quietly stepped up. He became the steady hand at home, helping raise his siblings and supporting his mother. Even as a high school student, Janjan worked part-time as a construction worker, every peso he earned going toward school dues and daily needs.
When his father returned—his own dreams abroad dashed—Janjan did not falter. Together, father and son took on any work they could find: construction, fishing for bangus, selling their catch. It was never easy, but Janjan never complained. He simply did what needed to be done.
“Maparaan at matiyaga si Janjan,” his sibling recalled. “Masipag at matulungin. Lagi siyang nakikinig sa magulang. Hindi siya pala-salita, pero kapag kasama ang pamilya o barkada, dun lumalabas yung kulit at ingay niya.”
Despite the weight of responsibility, Janjan never let go of his dream: to become an IT professional. He attended classes, fulfilled every requirement, and persevered—carrying burdens few of his peers could imagine. His journey through college was not just a personal triumph; it was a testament to his devotion to family and his unyielding will.
Just weeks before graduation, on May 17, Janjan’s life ended unexpectedly. The news sent ripples of grief through his family, friends, and the entire CCIT community. At the graduation ceremony, his name was called—a moment heavy with both pride and pain. His diploma, handed posthumously, became a symbol of dreams fulfilled in spirit, if not in presence.
“Wala akong masabing masama kay Janjan,” his sibling said. “He was a good son, brother, grandson, cousin, and friend—one of the greatest gifts God gave to us.”
Janjan may not have worn the toga, but he earned something far greater: the love and respect of everyone whose lives he touched. His story is not just one of loss, but of quiet strength, sacrifice, and the enduring bonds of family and friendship.
In the classrooms of CCIT, in the fields of Darapidap, and in the hearts of his loved ones, Janjan’s journey continues. He reminds us that greatness is not measured by accolades or ceremonies, but by the love we give, the burdens we bear, and the lives we quietly lift.
Janjan lives on—in memory, in legacy, and in every act of kindness inspired by his example.
by Ade John Gestole
