Goodbye Tatay

My adoptive father died of a heart attack last February 3, 2019 in Noveleta, Cavite. He was laid to rest at Love Memorial Park (together with my mother who died in 2012) also in Noveleta yesterday February 8, 2019. I wasn't able to return home for the funeral, but I was always on the phone with my eldest daughter to give instructions and to ask for updates.

At the wake.




With family and friends.

A Very Sad Day

Last night I learned from a dear friend that our former classmate and close friend William Loyola has died. A few days before he passed away, he had a stroke and went into a coma. Another close friend told me that the doctor gave him just 48 hours to live, though he exceeded that time, his body eventually gave in and succumbed to death. I never stopped praying since the day I've learned of his condition, hoping that God would give him another chance, but ultimately our tenure on earth is in God's hand.

This had me thinking about life, and about the future, not just mine, but also of my loved ones, friends, and basically everyone who I know and don't know. What does the Word of God say about life and our future here on this temporary place called earth? Here are verses from Psalms 39: 4-7 which I've read a few days ago. This will remind us how very short and fragile man's life is, and whom we should put our hope and trust to.

"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered - how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”We are merely moving shadows and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in You."

Last year, another dear friend of mine passed away, and because I was on vacation, I was able to at least see him for the last time. It was so surreal. Until now I can't believe that these two unique individuals are gone forever, never to be seen again. All that's left are memories. Farewell. Praying to God for His comfort for their loved ones and friends.

This photo was taken around 1988 (or 1989). William is at the far right. Right next to him is Nazareno, another friend of mine who died much earlier around 2004 I think, then Mike, and then me. 

I Dreamt of Hearses

I want to write about my dream last night before I completely forget about it. This is the kind of dream that most people wouldn't want to talk about, because of the fear that it might come true. 

This is my dream: 

I was inside a house of one of my aunts in Cavite together with my cousin Alejandro (who died a couple of years ago due to lupus) - we were there for a vacation. When it was time to leave, while walking home, I saw a hearse (just like the one in the photo above), parked on the street about a hundred yards away from me. Then I saw 5 or 6 of my classmates from high school coming out of the hearse as if to surprise me. I thought it was strange because I'm not that close with them. I felt happy in the dream that I'm accepted in their circle. 

Then strangely, I'm back leaving the house again, but this time I saw the hearse coming to me and when it stopped in front of me I saw my cousin Anang (who lives in Rosario, Cavite) who was motioning for me to come inside, but I refused and that's the moment when I woke up. 

There could probably be hundreds of interpretations of this dream, but God has the last word. Jesus is my Lord and my Savior, He owns me, and with Him, I have nothing to fear.

For God speaks once, yes twice, yet man perceives it not. 

In a dream, in a vision of the night, 

when deep sleep falls on men, in slumberings on the bed; 

Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, 

That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. ~ Job 33:14-17