The East New Britain Provincial Government (ENBPG) and the local music fraternity formally handed over the casket of PNG’s top lead guitarist late John “Waalz” Warbat, MBE, to his immediate family at the Malapau Beach Resort on Wednesday for final respect and burial at his Bitapabeke village cemetery.
The conveyance of the casket started at the Nonga Provincial Hospital in Rabaul district
to the Malapau Beach Resort in Kokopo city.
Many people from all over the province and other parts of the country had gathered at
the resort to show their respect and tribute to the legendary musician.
The Late John Warbat was well known for his unique skills and styles of playing the
lead guitar. He had passed away on March 22, 2024 at the Nonga Provincial Hospital, following an illness.
East New Britain Provincial Member, Michael Marum, Gazelle MP and National Fisheries Minister, Jelta Wong, Kokopo MP, Ereman ToBaining Jr and Provincial Administrator Levi Mano attended the program where they paid their heartfelt tribute. They all took turns in having passed on their condolences to the Warbat family.
Speaking on behalf of the government and the people of ENB, Mr. ToBaining Jr said that the people of ENB should be proud of his contribution towards the growth of music in PNG.
“He was a musician and a mentor, who had mentored a lot of artists in the music industry. The ENB Provincial Government and the Kokopo City Authority will work together to build a theater next to Kokopo Market which will have the naming rights of Late John Warbat MBE and George Telek MBE. This will be their legacy,” said Mr.ToBaining.
He further urged the experienced local musicians to be good role models for upcoming artists in the industry.
Also speaking at the program, George Telek, MBE said that the late John Warbat promoted the province to the world through the way he skillfully played the lead guitar.
“We played together in the ‘Painim Wok’ Band of Rabaul. I usually write and sing songs and he was the guitarist,” said Telek.
The late John Warbat’s casket was then transported to his residence at Vunamami village to overnight before the funeral service at the Vunamami United Church on April 4, followed by his burial at the Bitapabeke village cemetery.