26/04/2026
I only knew Tito Audie for a brief period, having started volunteering as a photographer at our local church earlier this year. He was a constant subject in my photos because he was always smiling and active in church activities. If he wasn’t on the praise and worship team, he was welcoming guests, giving bear hugs to other members like family, or quietly raising his hands in prayer. He once approached me, saying he had an old camera he wasn’t using anymore; I asked him to bring it next time so we could use it.
Last month, we held a photoshoot at church with Tito Audie and other church leaders. Everyone was wearing a collared polo except him - he was wearing a green round-necked dry-fit top. We did the shoot anyway, but he later came back wearing a white long-sleeved polo he had bought from a nearby store. I felt a bit bad, worrying that he might have felt pressured to buy a new shirt, but he assured me he needed one anyway.
I was surprised to find out that he passed away a few days ago. One of the photos we took during that shoot - the one where he was wearing the white polo - was used at his wake. I wasn’t prepared to see a photo I had taken only a month ago in that context, but I’m deeply honored to have had the chance to take the final portraits of such a well-loved and highly respected member of our church community. Looking back, his decision to buy that new polo was only proper.
Thank you, Tito Audie - it was a great blessing to have known you, even for a short time. Thank you for teaching us all to finish well, just as Christ taught. 🤍
