During the past four days, it has become clear that from the statements of those who spoke on the life and achievements of Dr. Proceso U. Udarbe — a dear friend and colleague at Silliman University since the 1950s — he was well-loved and highly-respected for his numerous generous acts of love to many people.
Proceso Udarbe was a loyal friend and confidant during the years we were together in the top administration of the University, and the many years following that period. 
He was my adviser when I became Silliman President, and I owe him a debt of gratitude for his many helpful pieces of advice.
He was generous with his writing talents, and he wrote many papers under our joint authorship that were included in his books.
Proceso had a good sense of humor. He would often joke that he and Silliman President Cicero Calderon often agree on an issue because they see eye-to-eye.
He would often repeat President Quintin Doromal’s remark, “Anyway, all of us will die.”
I would like to thank him for the many things he did for us, and one of them was serving as our Pastor during the celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary in 2002. During that event, he delivered a sermon about me and Naomi which we very much appreciated, and he even wrote the lyrics of a song dedicated to us.
As pastor of Silliman Church, he was our inspiration in life. Our families, including grandchildren, have remained friends.
Proceso was a prolific writer, publishing a dozen books containing his sermons in addition to his two major works, one on Silliman history co-authored with Drs. Paul and Jennifer Lauby (2006) and the other on the Biblical Foundations of the Faith (2000).
His books on sermons often included tributes to his family, associates, friends, Silliman colleagues, and office staff. These books are evidence of Proceso’s academic scholarship, and may well be considered historical documents for Silliman University because they contain descriptions of important events on the campus and the people involved in them.
Some books also contain hymns that he and Elman Caguindangan wrote and put to music.
It has been a pleasure reading his sermons and singing the hymns, as we did during our 50th wedding anniversary.
Drs. Edilberto and Edith Tiempo described his sermons as “not addressing the congregation but talking directly to you.”
His sermons are very readable and easy to understand. This is probably a reason why many pastors translated his sermons into Cebuano for delivery to their congregations.
One reason why his sermons are of interest to us is because they usually deal with the human predicament, which are of interest to most of the congregation. I like to listen to his sermons because he would once in a while speak on issues that deal with intellectual and academic matters. I would consider Dr. Udarbe one of the best Filipino preachers in the same league with top Protestant preachers in the country.
In the last chapter of the history book (Chapter XI), under the sub-heading Star Professors, Proceso advises the administration “… to appoint “star” professors known for their scholarship and commitment to service to lead the academic units. Academic leaders provide an intellectual climate conducive to the development of younger faculty members, ensuring the continuity of excellence and service in the future.”
Proceso was a family man. He was proud of his family, parents, siblings, and relatives, and loved to write and talk about them.
He loved everyone he knew. There was only one time when he was visibly upset: during Martial Law when a government official who was supposed to supervise Silliman University suggested that faculty members resign, spy on others, and report their observations to the martial law government, a suggestion the Administration strongly and promptly rejected.
For his numerous professional and pastoral achievements in the country and abroad, he was selected as one of the awardees on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines on May 26, 2000 in Manila. (Earlier, he served as chairman of the UCCP.)
It was my privilege to present him to the assembly of eminent Christian leaders attending that event. He was honored as a theologian, scholar, and humanist on that occasion.
In 2000, he was also awarded the Outstanding Sillimanian Award. His OSA medal was presented to his two children, Margie and Marc, by President Ben S. Malayang III in the Udarbe Memory Chapel on Sept. 3rd, this year.
Dr. Proceso U. Udarbe remained a simple, humble and friendly man throughout his life. He lived according to the Silliman motto Via Veritas Vita.
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Author’s email: [email protected]
