 |
| Dr Chan remembers Doc Mike's smile which 'could light up any room' |
About 500 people of different nationalities and backgrounds attended a memorial mass on Sunday for Dr. Michael Manio, a medical lecturer and researcher at the University of Hong Kong and Filipino community leader, who died in his sleep at his apartment in Aberdeen a week earlier.
Among the mourners
were officials of the Philippine Consulate led by Consul General Romulo M.
Israel, Jr., who nearly broke down as he recalled how Dr. Manio spoke with passion about his work
for the migrant community in Hong Kong in the first lengthy chat they had early
this year.
 |
| Basahin ang detalye! |
Congen Israel said he regretted
not having had the chance to work closer or longer with Dr Manio, as he arrived
in Hong Kong only last year. But from that conversation, he said he sensed how
deeply committed Dr Manio was in serving his fellow Filipinos in Hong Kong.
He made his speech
at the memorial held for Dr Manio following a Catholic mass said by the
Chaplain for Filipinos, Fr. Jay Flandez, at the OFW Global Centre in Admiralty.
 |
| CG Israel turned emotional as he recalled Doc Mike's passion for serving the community |
The only other person
to do a eulogy for Dr Manio was Dr. Robert Chan, his friend and colleague at HKU,
and a fellow alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, who described the deceased as a "proud Goden Warrior."
Dr Chan remembered
Dr Manio’s “radiant, comforting smile” that he said could light up any room,
and soothe any worried heart.
“Mike has left us far too soon, but that smile
will never fade. This image lives on forever in the hallways, in the hearts of
his students, and the community he loved so dearly,” said Dr. Chan.
 |
| Mourners packed the room and the corridors outside |
A living proof of
how Dr Manio has impacted the Filipino community in Hong Kong were the many
grieving faces in the packed room, including not just of migrant workers and his students, but of
his fellow residents who all remembered his gentle and giving ways.
Many of those who turned up were graduates of the Domestic Workers Empowerment Project that Dr. Manio started at HKU in 2018, and is now officially known as EmpowerU. The program provides lectures, trainings and workshops to migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong usually on Sundays, in a bid to create a positive image for them, their family and employers.
There was also a big group from the UST Alumni Association, and other Filipino permanent residents including musicians, bankers, and other professionals.
 |
| Filipino chaplain Fr Jay gives final blessing to Doc Mike |
A book of condolences was set up by the entrance of the OFW Centre where people who knew Dr Manio could leave messages for his family.
Apart from his work for the migrant community, Dr Manio was also well known for his live social media blogs where he provided health tips and
advice to his followers, and snaps from his overseas trips.
Dr Manio, who hailed
from Pampanga, obtained his degree in medicine from Angeles University
Foundation, his master’s degree from UST, and his PhD from the University of
Hong Kong in 2014.
He is survived by
his parents and a sibling.
