Eriberto V. Loreto

Eriberto V. Loreto, also known as Honorable Berting Loreto.

Mayor of Baybay, Leyte and has been Representative of 5th Districts of Leyte. Known as "MANLALABAN SA KABOS" or "PROTECTOR OF THE INNOCENT AND THE POOR."

Humble, sincere, honest and complex. Formerly Cong. Eriberto Veloso Loreto. Born September 6, 1931 whose parents were Juanita Costas Veloso and Atty. Anastacio Valenzona Loreto. Oldest out of 6 children. Married to Aida Lopez Loreto on October 12, 1954 with 10 children. Mayor in Baybay, Leyte for 16 years at a young age of 28. Manager for the Times Journal owned by former Gov. Bejamin Rumaldez. Pasay City Judge in Manila for 3 years. Exiled to the US as a Diplomatic Attache at the US Philippine Embassy. Came back to the Philippines and took office as a Congressman in the 5th District of Leyte for 3 terms a total of 9 years from 1987-1998. Thank you for being our Dad. We love you and miss you Dad.

A letter dedicated to formerly Cong. Eriberto V. Loreto:

April 27,2005

Let me open this letter with a prayer: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we give you our hearts and our souls. Jesus, Mary and Joseph assist us in our last agony. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may we breathe forth our souls in peace with you, Amen.

There were six of us and you know us all (among of the sibblings formerly Cong.Eriberto V. Loreto, Cong. Remedios Loreto petilla, Cong. Carmen Loreto Cari). And along the way, we pursued different venues while we fought when we met, disagreed, characterized each other to a point of mastering the art of being an enemy altogether. Just imagine the number of years we wasted over material things where we could have enjoyed a brighter, fruitful day each day. But that's in retrospect. We were always guided by our mother, there was no father so she had to take on the role of both. When times got rough Mama would turn to Berting (Eriberto)and with her sad and beautiful eyes would say: You are now the padre de familia. A colossal responsibility for a 10 year old boy. From that time on we looked up to Berting as, first our father then our brother. Whatever repercussions that had on Berting personally was not manifested in bitterness which would have been a natural effect on one so young. Instead he turned to us with love, understanding, a genuine protectiveness, not to mention the utter tolerance for our mischiefs. Time came when he had to find his own life. As usual, he stumbles, makes mistakes, hesitates, develops insecurities, frustrations and in the end surpasses them all and comes up with the most cohesive family in the history of the LORETO HERITAGE. Thus the birth of your family. This is a legacy hard to instill in ones children. Nonetheless, he did it. he must have been guided all along by God, as a just reward to that 10 year old boy that once upon a time assumed the role of 'Padre de Familia'. What happens today and the days to come are all reflections of the past. Your are his children, you stand for freedom, tolerance, joy, pain and at times even extreme despair and together you will manage to mirror the image of your Dad. He only lives in the hearts of those who loves him. Love, Tita Baby.

A POEM In Loving memory of Atty. Eriberto V. Loreto - 1st year Death Anniversary, June 21, 2006

We used to think you were invincible, Untouched by pain and sadness, You always won and never lost,You always had an answer.

We used to think you were the wind,Strong, fast, always beating all the odds.

And all along, we should have known, That you were blessed all along, A rock handpicked among the sands.

We know the secrets to your wisdom, A weightless rock, who flew the wind,With wings of courage armoured by hope,A miracle!

You taught us how to love,To feel and then to give,A wind who finally reached his destiny.

You said farewell, You rested, and then you closed your eyes.And now we hear only silence. Just silence.

Written by:Imelda Loreto Knoff