Ding Capitin: a hero who died on National Heroes Day
ARMANDO M. CAPITIN
Date of birth: 9 September 1951
Date of death: 30 August 2021
This article puts together accounts of several people about Ding Capitin.
Ding Capitin worked as a swimming instructor and lifeguard in the US Embassy, then later as a salesman of Japanese cars. His experience in both institutions honed his training and interpersonal relationship skills. With this, he had the makings of an apostolic hero: friendly, confident and faithful to God.
Ding got in touch with Opus Dei in an unusual way. A famous columnist writing negatively against some known members of Opus Dei led Ding to discover the truth. As a result, he joined the Work on 7 December 1992 in Sangandaan Cultural Center in Makati, the financial hub of the Philippines.
From the beginning of his vocation to Opus Dei, he strove to live the spirit of the Work well, striving to sanctify his daily activities and do the norms of piety—a heroism in little things of each day. A triathlete and fitness buff, he brought the spirit of struggle into his Christian life. He pinpointed points of struggle, then prayed to God and worked on these areas until he overcame them.
At Sangandaan, he joined the center’s Tagalog group, where he became one of the elder brothers who always brought fun and laughter to the group and who regularly shared his wisdom and his apostolic and professional adventures.
This group took charge of dealing with blue-collar workers such as drivers, technicians, janitors, guards, etc. Ding knew that to be an effective formator, he cannot give what he does not have. Thus, he ensured on-time attendance and prioritized his means of formation: recollections, talks, circles, etc. He always arrived early. Oftentimes, you would hear him say that the only time you cannot attend is when you are already dead. He continued on in Sangandaan until the end of his life, even when the traffic worsened.
He brought this same dedication and fighting spirit into his professional development. When he retired from the US Embassy, he started to work at Dualtech Training Center, a technical-vocational school that prepares young people for employment in industrial firms. He would bike to and from Dualtech. Despite the inconveniences of a starting school in a new Industrial Park, he would bike through the mud trail every day.
Because of his apostolic heroism, he also helped in the PAREF-Southridge Afternoon School and the Dagatan Family Farm School. After some years, he became full-time in Dualtech while continuing as a peer coach for new fathers in Southridge Afternoon School.
In Dualtech and Southridge, he made many friends and did a lot of apostolate. As someone who took his formation seriously, he was able to give very good advice to the people around him, guiding them to live a Christian life in their daily lives.
He was among the team of Industrial Coordinators of Dualtech until his retirement when he became Dualtech’s consultant for community relations. He represented Dualtech in its campaigns to schools and parishes. With tireless enthusiasm, he went to nearly all the regions of the Philippines, from Cuyo in Palawan to Mindanao to Ilocos to Bicol and so on.
Ding was proud of Dualtech. He offered Dualtech to poor families and students as hope and an opportunity for transformation. He guided the younger Dualtech employees in their life goals and in the pursuit of their careers. He connected well with young and old, employees and students. He instilled the highest possible degree of discipline among students by ensuring to toughen them up. And he found ways to follow up. Despite the age gap and the busy schedules, he found time to chat with each mentee assigned to him.
He was also an advocate of exercise and keeping fit. He coached his friends in swimming and running. Dualtech people joined marathons and fun runs because of his influence and eventually Dualtech itself became an organizer of local running events because of his expertise.
Ding enjoyed seeing people happy in any gathering. He would initiate stories or jokes—no matter how “corny"—just to make sure people feel comfortable and enjoy each other’s company. He also loved to take pictures and post happy memories on Facebook.
One of the secrets of Ding’s cheerful disposition is his family. He loved his wife, Caridad, whose nickname is Ying, and brought her along to get-togethers, parties and gatherings. The Capitin couple was always on courtship mode even after more than 30 years of marriage. After years of prayer, God gifted him with Angelo or Gelo, his only son.
On 23 August 2021, Monday, Ding started not feeling well and asked for prayers. Ding said that he was offering his pains for everyone and praying for them.
On 25 August, as he said that his condition has improved, he still prepared a video of a talk for the recollection that was shown the following day. He also attended a meeting at Dualtech on 27 August, Friday.
His health took a sudden turn for the worse on Sunday, 29 August. That night his test indicated that he had Covid. While two ambulances (one sent by a supernumerary friend, Ed Tan, and the other by Dualtech) were on their way to his home the following morning, Ding passed away.
Ding’s son, Gelo, said that since his dad is a hero, he fittingly died on National Heroes Day. Then he posted every day on his Facebook page the lessons his dad taught him: not to dwell on problems, but to solve them; to be always cheerful, as you can cure someone else’s sorrow; to listen to others, even though you don’t understand everything, as it is a way of showing love; how to swim and float by relaxing and not being stiff; to do home duties that can be enjoyed to build character and maturity; to maintain a strong bond of connection with your child as the most powerful means to realize the father’s hope for the child; to make your child curious, by explaining things and always answering his questions, no matter how many they were; to be steadfast, since being firm is your weapon so as not to lose hope.
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