Filipino Australian historian, book author and journalist Renato Perdon 73, died in his sleep aboard a Qantas flight to Manila approximately an hour or so before touch down at Ninoy Aquino Airport International Airport in Manila last Wednesday evening on 6 September 2017.
He was on a planned homecoming to spend his retirement in Caramoan township in Camarines Sur in Bicol region in the Philippines .
Abiding by his wish, his remains were cremated two days later at Manila Memorial Homes in Sucat, Paranaque . This author is the last surviving direct relative out of four brothers who hailed all from the township of Sipocot town, also in Camarines Sur and a much older brother from the town of Caramoan, Camarines Sur.
Renato, single, is also survived by 15 nephews and grandchildren by some of these nephews and and nieces in the tradition of extended Filipino clan, from the township of Nabua, also in Camarines Sur.
Speaking during the memorial service held in his honour were his cousin and “Inside Bicol” broadcaster Alfredo Perdon from Naga City, former Philippine Consul General to Sydney Anne Jalando-on Louis, retired Assistant Executive Director Amelita Almozara of the Philippine National Commission on Culture, and two Renato’s nephews.
Only this year Renato was one of 19 individuals and two organisations honoured as 70th Philippine-Australia Diplomatic Relations Anniversary awardees at the Philippine Embassy in Canberra, ACT, Australia. In 2016, he was Multicultural Media Advocacy awardee of the Commission on Overseas Filipinos, held in Malacanang, Manila.
Book author, historian and former Colombo scholar, Renato was for 27 years a devoted professional in historical studies and cultural preservation, mainly during his work with the Philippine National Historical Institute.
Bicol broadcaster and first cousin Alfredo Perdon who was formerly Commissioner of Overseas Filipinos said Renato was a role model for the extended Perdon clan and was helpful and nurturing to relatives and co-employees in the public service. He said Renato lent great assistance in re-establishing the local historical body and memorialising important historical figures in Naga City.
Renato Perdon authored the definitive 300 pages book “The Life and Times of the Perdon Family” which traced the roots and heritage of the Perdon family of Nabua town in Camarines Sur, complete with family trees and pictures of relatives.
For her part, former Philippine Consul General in Sydney Anne Jalando-on Louis was appreciative of the contribution of Renato and his writings in Filipino community publication in bridging the role and goals of the Philippine Consulate in Sydney and the Philippine community. Renato was co-founder with this author, of the 19-year old Bayanihan News publication in Sydney.
Former assistant executive director of NCC Mr Amelita Almozara outlined her associations with Renato as government employee in NHI and Renato’s commitment to public service including his innovative ways to carry out projects for the agency.
Renato also served as consultant for cultural heritage on the Philippines’ Presidential Commission on Culture and the Arts, and as special assistant to the Chairman of the National Historical Institute. He worked full time as archivist at Sydney City Council after he migrated to Sydney, New South Wales.
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