Something Personal: A Belated Farewell

The news arrived at me unexpectedly. I was checking my Friendster account and was actually unaware that something has happened to you. The night before I learned about the news, Darrell and Leslie called me up during our Taxation Law Review lecture but I rejected the calls, thinking that they might just wish me good luck on my exams.

Apparently, I was wrong. They wanted to tell me the news personally so that I would not be surprised.

It did not take a long time for me to know that you already left us. How soon, I thought. I even thought that maybe this was just a joke. But as I stare at my Friendster account, I realized that two to three posts about announcing your passing away cannot be taken for granted.

I admit. My first reaction was not surprise, not even shock. My first reaction was regret. Regret not because of what happened, but regret on my part because I was not able to spend time with you more often.

Remember the last time we saw each other? It was actually I who saw you first. I agreed when you told me that I do not ride the LRT very often. I thought: perhaps it was God's idea that I ride the LRT so that I will be able to see you for the last time.

That experience was memorable to me. But more memorable were the last words you told me: "Pare, pag pumasa ka, magpapa-inom ka."

Now that you are gone, I can assure you that no matter what happens, I will forever treasure the good times we had and the friendship we established together with the rest of the PGC. Thank you for the brief yet meaningful time you spent with us.

We will never forget you, Ace. Farewell, brother. Till we meet again.