Ex-Lang assistant Fidelino dies at 70

Narciso “Jun” Fidelino Jr., the only person to have served as the CNMI governor’s special assistant for Filipino affairs, died last week after battling leukemia for six years. He was 70.

Family, friends and colleagues remember him for his compassion and humility.

“He helped others to whatever extent he could. If he couldn’t offer assistance himself, he would guide people to someone who could. He was very sincere. He made a lot of friends,” said his 30-year-old daughter Christine.

Former Gov. Froilan Tenorio, who had known Fidelino for over three decades, only had nice words to say about his former colleague and special assistant. “Jun was a very nice guy. He was gentle and humble. I am honored to have worked with him,” he said.

The pair’s professional relationship goes way back to 1973 when they were both employees of the Micronesian Construction Co., then the largest local construction firm in the islands. Tenorio was general manager while Fidelino was an electrical engineer for the company. When Tenorio started his own construction business, he got Fidelino to work for him. They parted ways when Tenorio was elected to serve as the CNMI’s resident representative to Washington, D.C. in the last half of the 1980s, and then reunited when Tenorio became governor. Fidelino served as Tenorio’s special assistant for Filipino affairs for the whole duration of Tenorio’s term. Fidelino backed the former governor every time he ran for elected office.

When Tenorio stepped down, Fidelino found another position of public service. He worked as a caseworker and translator at the Federal Ombudsman’s Office from 2000 to 2003, helping Filipino workers with their labor issues even though leukemia has begun to take control of his body.

Federal Ombudsman Jim Benedetto, who worked with Fidelino during his last couple of years with the agency, remembers Fidelino for his dedication to his work.

“He was very outgoing, friendly. He was always trying to be helpful. He was very dedicated to helping people. He had a pretty sizable caseload, with Filipinos making up 50 percent of nonresident workers in the CNMI. He was pretty busy, but he did his best to help them. We will miss him,” Benedetto said.

Fidelino was also an active member of the Filipino community in the Commonwealth. He was involved in many activities initiated by the Philippine Consulate and various Filipino organizations. He headed the Filipino Amateur Sports Association for several years.

Family and friends of Fidelino will have a chance to pay their last respects to the late community leader from 5pm to 7pm tomorrow, Dec. 5 at the Cabrera Center in Garapan. A memorial service will also be held on Thursday from 3pm to 5pm at the Kristo Rai Church, also in Garapan. A mass will follow immediately.

“This is a difficult time for the family. But there’s comfort in knowing that he’s okay, that he’s not suffering anymore. There are many things to keep his memories alive. They are all reminders of what a good person he was,” Christine said. She also expressed her gratitude to everyone who has expressed their support and condolences.