Eulogy for Christopher L. Lim (1957 - 2009)
Beacon School Founding Trustee & President
We never really knew each other as kids, although we lived just around the block from each other. Being five years my senior, he was a good friend and a basketball crony of my older cousins and neighbors. From a distance in the 70’s, my younger brother and I used to think of them as the cool, worldly ones – the big guys who were good at sports, played hip music, wore their hair long, had the big boys’ “toys”, and were mysteriously familiar with the tantalizing secrets and rituals of adolescence. But not much more beyond that, really.
And so it came as some surprise ten years ago that the accomplished lawyer and dedicated father I was talking to about the possibility of founding a school that would attempt to “move the goalposts” turned out to be the very same Chris Lim of Talisay Road. We hit it off right away. Along with shared values, we just seemed to like the same stuff – the usual ilonggo indulgences, food, sports, toys....
The conceptualization and birthing of the Beacon School was nothing short of audacious, idealistic, pure of heart, and – by the assessment of some doubters – akin to doing battle with a dragon or chasing windmills. Indeed, sitting around a table at Joel Binamira’s house, Bobby Benares’ office, or our apartment in the early years of the school, I can say that the fourteen founders – kindred spirits drawn together by mission – often felt like we were knights on a crusade. The vision lay uphill, with all manner and form of obstacle on the path to the goal. Discussions were comprehensive as they were deep, arguments intense and passionate.
Chris was one of the true cornerstones of the Beacon School. He was instrumental in guiding us through so many trials during these formative and most challenging years -- never wavering from our core principles, high ethical standards, and wise counsel. Through all the dramas and weighty responsibility that accompanies the founding of a school, we recall his dedication, a wonderfully dry sense of humor, the infectious giggle, an economy with words, his professional reliability, a generosity of spirit, being a perfect gentleman, deep friendship, and an absolute devotion to his family. There was so much to accomplish and Chris went about these tasks without pomp or fanfare.
Chris, at last Friday’s service, watching a packed room of students, their parents, faculty and staff lined up to pay their respects, the Beacon standards draped over your casket, I said that I wasn’t quite sure whether to be devastated or elated: devastated in the loss of a close friend and the knowledge of the hills we yet have to climb without you, and yet elated in looking at the faces of the many young people whose lives we have chosen to affect in some positive way. They came to honor you. You and I have spoken many times about how the school was one of the best things we chose to do in our lives. These kids will one day “move the goalposts” -- something we so sorely need in our country. Last night, a Beacon teacher sent my wife Mailin this entry from a student’s project blog. He graduated last April and is now at another international school down south. He writes, partially:
“Ergh. I miss Beacon so much. I'm not sure if anyone actually visits this site anymore, but if you're reading this … I finished all my homework and I have nothing else to do (I can't play video games, its a weekday). Instead, I'll write my thoughts .... Looking back at what the grade 8 batch of 08-09 has done, I can see that we have all become incredibly responsible teenagers who care about the world that we live in. I'm glad that we accomplished so much during the time we have spent with each other all those years in Beacon ..... I hope many of my fellow classmates, those who aren't studying in Beacon as well as those who remain, follow the life lessons we have learned from the teachers and each other. Those life lessons are as important as having your lungs. The virtues taught to us, the way of thinking, and how we could improve the world, I'm sure, will follow many of us throughout our separate years in High School, College, and beyond. Beacon is a great school and I wish I were still there.”
And he signs off with, “Veritas et Lumen”. The school’s motto. The Truth and The Light.
Chris, if you were worried about whether the seeds you personally planted were deep enough, or were concerned about the challenges you fought for, don’t be. Even in death, you continue to be a true agent of The Truth and The Light.
I know that I am not the only one who was surprised to see Chris resting peacefully in his elegant robes. As it turns out, we had a very real knight among us – and it’s just like him not to have trumpeted this dimension reserved only for those closest to his heart. Gina, Miko, Via, and Enrica: I thank you for sharing your knight with all of us. Personally, I am honored that he saw me worthy of his trust in shared cause.
Chris, my family’s prayers are with you. Godspeed on your journey. We know you will continue to guide us from some other, better place. Know this too: we will be there when your family needs us, and we will stand by them to honor your memory. We in your Beacon family already miss you.
Andy Locsin
Chairman, Board of Trustees
19 August 2009