(September 3, 1958 – April 23, 2025)
One year has passed since the world became a quieter place, and the vibrant streets of Bacolod lost a soul that had traveled across oceans to find his final home. Four days ago, on the first anniversary of his passing, we gathered in profound gratitude to honor the life of Gerd-Michael Soland—a devoted husband, a proud father, and a man whose character was as steadfast as the ancient oaks of his German homeland.
Born in Reutlingen, Germany, to Karl Ludwig Soland and Ruth Wenzelburger, Gerd-Michael was raised with the core values of integrity, diligence, and a deep sense of community. In his professional and public life, he was highly respected as a Textilmeister and a passionate advocate for his fellow citizens, serving for years in regional politics within the districts of Reutlingen and Eningen. Whether in the political arena or during his service as an honorary judge at the Administrative Court, he lived by the conviction that a just society depends on the commitment of honorable individuals. He did not just observe life; he shaped it, driven by the “Schaffer- Mentalität”—that unique Swabian spirit of industriousness and moral duty.
To understand Gerd-Michael, one must look at the spiritual bedrock that formed him. His family traces its roots deeply to Swabian Pietism, a tradition in which duty, discipline, and responsibility stood above all else. This spiritual heritage reaches back to the Reformation era and the legacy of his ancestor, the theologian Jakob Andreae (1528–1590). These values—hard work, integrity, and a quiet, personal faith—were not just history to him; he internalized them as guiding principles that defined both his professional career and his devoted service to our family.
In April 2023, Gerd-Michael and I embarked on our greatest shared adventure: moving to the Philippines to spend our retirement in my homeland. He fell deeply in love with the warmth of the islands—not just the tropical sun, but especially the genuine kindness of the Filipino people. He felt truly at home in the “City of Smiles.” One of his greatest simple joys was walking through the neighborhood with his loyal Pug, Rex, who was his constant companion and a source of endless smiles during their daily strolls.
Above all his titles, Gerd-Michael was our anchor. He was a pillar of strength for me, his wife, and a source of immense pride for his son, the historian and genealogist Karl Romeo Soland. Seeing his son become the guardian of the family’s storied legacy was one of the greatest joys of his final years.
Gerd-Michael taught us that a life well-lived is measured by the duties one fulfills and the love one leaves behind. Though he rests now, his spirit remains in the breeze of Negros and in the hearts of all who knew him.
“Your labor is done, your journey is complete, but your legacy remains etched in our hearts forever.”
Deeply missed and forever loved,
Gemma Lacson vda. de Soland & Karl Romeo Soland
Bacolod City, April 27, 2026
