AS THE rains poured, there were no tears shed as Ateneo honored the passing of one of its great sports legends last August 1.

Attended by friends, family, and alumni, the funeral mass held at the Church of the Gesu became a celebration of Ateneo Sports Hall of Famer Francisco “Paking” Rabat’s life. Rabat succumbed to lung and throat cancer last July 19 in his hometown of Mati, Davao.

Present in the mass were fellow Ateneo legends Chito Narvasa, Baby Dalupan, Ding Camua, Jimmy Alabansa, and University Athletics Director Richard Palou, among others. Testimonies were given by those present, with the event culminating in an awarding of a plaque of recognition by the Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame to the Rabat family.

Miguel Rabat (II BS LM), grandson of the deceased, recalled that his grandfather was nothing short of remarkable.

“He was someone who exemplified excellence,” he said. “He garnered accolades as if they were candy.”

Dubbed the “Rajah of Rebounds,” the Blue Eagle was part of two NCAA championship teams in the early ‘50s. On top of this, he was also part of the national teams which competed in the Manila Asian Games and in the World Basketball Championships in Brazil both held in 1954, where the Philippines won 1st and 3rd place, respectively.

However, Rabat’s greatest successes took place in the political sphere. He was instrumental in helping the once rural village of Mati gain cityhood status in 2007, leading it as its mayor since 2001.

But amidst all the stories told, praises received and testimonials given, the younger Rabat says that three words would be enough to remember him by. “Grandfather. Leader. Legend.”