20/08/2021
Our dearest Norberto G. Fernandez†, Berting, or Lolo Bert as fondly called by everyone has gone to meet his maker.
Lolo Bert was our trusted guardian, our founder Mario Sebastian’s Sr.† confidante, and our trusted steward of the tree farm. But he is much more than that. He is family.
He was always there for us. He not only watched us grow up, but he helped us grow up. He was there from the beginning of the farm when it was nothing but a barren land. With his green thumb, he took each and every seedling under his care. The towering trees of MARSSE would not have been standing today if it wasn’t for his almost superhuman horticultural talent. A plant cutting that you thought was already good for fertilizer, bring it to him, and in a month’s time, it will be sprouting new leaves.
Until his last days, when we would tell him to rest so we could take care of him instead, he would insist on tending to the nursery, even hiking with us during harvests, telling us that keeping himself active makes him happy and strong. Even during his last months, he was still smiling while picking up these wood scraps. This is how we remember him - our Lolo Bert always a beacon of strength smiling upon us.
To Lolo Bert, thank you for everything. Rest easy now. We love you.