Arago’s mausoleum to be unveiled at his first death anniversary

Glicerio Del Mundo Arago

Commemorating his life and work, the mausoleum that was built for former honorary Philippine consul to the CNMI Glicerio Del Mundo Arago, known to many as “Eli,” is expected to be officially unveiled on Nov. 24, 2022, in his home town in Batangas, the Philippines.

The mausoleum—a beautiful two-story memorial—was purposely set to be unveiled on the day of Arago’s first death anniversary, and several members of his family are said to be travelling to Batangas in order to attend the event.

Arago’s family members and friends in the CNMI will also be commemorating the late honorary consul’s death anniversary during a Thanksgiving Mass at the Kristo Rai church, 8am this Thursday and will join in the offertory. Family and friends are also spreading word to those who may want to participate that they may bring with them non-perishable items for the offertory as a blessing to the less fortunate, just as Arago had done.

Many would describe Arago as extremely generous. “Consul Eli was known as very, very, generous. …Like, if anybody would ask for his help, he wouldn’t even have a second thought about helping out,” said former United Filipino Organization president and Philippine Honorary Consulate volunteer Annamae Adaza.

Adaza said she had known him only as an acquaintance and it wasn’t until 2015 when Arago was appointed honorary consul that she began working with him closely. She described Arago as fun, approachable, sociable, and generous. “There is no dull moment whenever you’re with him. He knows a lot of things.” She noted and laughed as she recalled how Arago was a bit of a fashionista himself, that it was sort of Arago’s trademark to wear a shawl or scarf on many different occasions.

Arago had made Saipan his home some 35 years ago, and this is where he spent half of his life. For a time he worked directly with Tan Holdings Corp. as a senior vice president and a publisher for Saipan Tribune. He passed away on Nov. 24, 2021 after being medevaced to Guam.

Currently, no one has been appointed to fill his position as honorary consul, but Adaza said that she, alongside attorney Ariel Mariano, Ulysses Sabuco, and Mario Mayuga have been holding down the fort, as well as continuing their duties. “The CNMI will never be the same without him [Arago], especially the Filipino community here,” she added.