Happy birthday in heaven, Poplex
Today would have been the 88th birthday of my father, Alejandro Roces Prieto. Born on Nov. 28, 1936, Poplex, as he was lovingly called in our family, was a true sportsman, kind soul, and the most unique, makulit character that will surely be missed.
Poplex enjoyed 63 wonderful years of marriage with my mother, Marixi Rufino Prieto, and together they shared five children, 15 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren (and one more on the way!). His love for family was evident all his life; Poplex reared his clan in his special style of parenting—full of teasing and constructive remarks, but always with an underlying tone of love that showed just how much he cared.
Poplex was perpetually rearranging furniture in our homes and moving event setups right before opening night; we often referred to him as a “frustrated architect and interior designer.” It took him five years to build his home with Mamarixi, but all that was a testament to how he always wanted the best for those he loved.
He demanded perfection from us because he knew we would do everything we could to accomplish it, and he also always reminded us to share our blessings with others who needed it. His generosity was felt by all he crossed paths with.
Next to family, Poplex’s other main love in life was golf. He had a true passion for it that he passed down to all his kids, and we were so lucky to play with and learn from a legend that was revered by so many.
Over the course of three decades, he won four Manila Golf Club championships, winning his last at 62 years old. No doubt there are countless golfers—not just in our family—who have wonderful memories of Poplex sharing advice and tips on golf, whether they were on the green, at the range, or not even remotely close to a course.
Even until his last conscious moment, he was “in the office”; Poplex had collapsed in Manila Golf, just before teeing off with his usual flight. After 25 days of medical efforts hoping to restore his consciousness, Poplex passed on peacefully and painlessly at St. Luke’s Medical Center, surrounded and serenaded by his family. He is now playing golf in heaven with my brother Louie Prieto, who also left us 31 years ago.
Tears and laughter
It becomes all the more evident just how much a person is loved when they are gone. The first two days of Poplex’s wake were reserved for family, but it was already full of loved ones celebrating the wonderful life he lived. Every night of the wake until the funeral, our family and close friends all shared heartwarming tributes to Poplex that filled the room with both tears and laughter. Poplex was never a fan of long programs, so we made sure to keep it short and sweet, with a few musical numbers to keep things lighthearted and colorful, just as he wanted.
During the last three days of the wake, open to family and friends, the room was absolutely packed, wall-to-wall, with people from all different ages and backgrounds, mourning a once-in-a-lifetime legend. Everyone from his De La Salle University classmates to the caddies and grounds staff of Manila Golf were there. This just shows the kind of person my dad was–very humble and kind to everyone, no matter their status or upbringing. He treated everyone equally, in the same loving, jokey manner.
His legacy will be carried on by his family, and it’s wonderful to see how much he lives on in each of my siblings.
My brother, Dr. Andrew Prieto, has his loyalty, patience, and kindness. My sister, Sandy P. Romualdez, got his adventurous spirit and sportsmanship; Sandy and Poplex share multiple golf championship wins throughout their golf career. For our youngest brother, Paolo Prieto, he got our dad’s charm and friendliness. As for me, I feel that I got Poplex’s generosity and his infectious happy disposition; we are like the glue that bonds the social groups we are in.
All of us siblings also got his love of plants and animals and being out in nature. Our family vacations were always near golf courses or next to the beach. Long weekends were spent in Tagaytay or Tali Beach, with my parents always stopping on the way to buy plants or sometimes visit his horses in Batangas.
Wonderful life
As a tribute to his love of animals, our family released doves right before his inurnment in Santuario de San Antonio. At the funeral mass officiated by Fr. Ely Santos, Fr. Robert Manansala, Fr. Adame Bakari, and three other priests, the church was transformed into a tropical garden beautifully arranged by Poplex’s cousin, Rose Agustines.
The ninth day novena gathering was more like a thanksgiving celebration of Poplex’s wonderful life. Perfectly held in Manila Golf, it started with mass with Father Rory and dinner after. Thanks to cousin Kowboy Santos and friend Mike Chan, we were serenaded with the favorite songs of our dad.
In true Poplex fashion, everything happened at the right time. While we obviously grieve his loss, Poplex offered us 25 extra days with him to say goodbye, and to slowly come to terms with not having him around anymore.
Those 25 days brought our family closer than ever, and together we soldiered on and supported one another through tears and heartache. It seems as if that is what he wanted all along. Today, Poplex’s 88th birthday, is also Thanksgiving. And I want to take this time to thank all those who have shared their love, support, condolences, and faith to my family in this time.
Poplex’s 40th day will be on Christmas, as if he wanted to ensure that his family will all be together for the holidays. We will surely celebrate not just the Christmas season, but also the wonderful man that we will miss in every family gathering and golf game.
