My first anniversary week however, I realized, has been marked by a series of mourning and I still can't imagine how things have gone in just about a week's time:
*August 3 (Wednesday. my first year in the Certeza), Ate Lala's father succumb to death after his struggle with his illness. Though I haven't met him while he's still alive, I've known details of his existence from stories told by Ate Lala.
*August 4 (thursday), Kuya Gary, one of drivers, was found unconscious in his jeep and died a day after being admitted to the hospital.
*And just this last Monday afternoon August 8, Kuya Bonong, with whom I spent the First Order South Luzon and NGCP Projects, passed away just a week after being rushed to the hospital after a stroke struck him leaving the other half of his body dead for about 7 days.
I really thought he'd make it. The morning of August 8, I heard Kuya Godo saying, "Bonong is striving and is improving, he can now lift his hand and even smiled at me when I left for Manila yesterday". I was expecting then to see Kuya Bonong probably in a wheel chair but able to speak. I was even planning to visit him in his house while he'll be undergoing his therapy. The sad part is, by the afternoon, a text came from someone from the hospital in Lucena informing Kuya Godo that Kuya Bonong is gone.
"Too soon", I told myself. Kaso, hindi ako si God. And if only I could, I would have given him another chance. For his children...for his loving wife... for his friends... for the people who needs his service... and for the people who needs to see his smile. Of the three persons that left, Kuya Bonong has been the dearest to me. For I've spent almost all my wanderings in North and South Luzon with him. And whenever I think of North Luzon, he'll always be a part of it. I can still vividly recall how we've spent the Holy week working in La Union. Away from our families, our loved ones, but still managed to survive the loneliness by singing along in the resort's videoke. Spending a week in Nueva Vizcaya with him has also made me feel like I have my father beside me, all ready to help and support me. I can just remember the time when I have to go the internet shop in the town of Bayombong at 12 AM yet he still offered to fetch me up. Those times when we have to wake up at 1 AM to travel from one place to another, ugh, those were the stressful times we've shared but had somehow became lighter because of my wonderful team.
And though Ate Lala has been disappointed with him when he intimidated Philip during the last league of the NGCP South Luzon flight, I AM NOT and NEVER WILL I BE. For I know the exact reasons behind Kuya Bonong's action, and Ate Lala can never relate to it.
Kuya Bonong's burial will be on Saturday, August 13 in Perez, Quezon. Though the First Order Team will never be complete again without you, the beautiful memories will forever remain in our hearts.
Farewell Kuya Bonong. Drive Safely to heaven.
A Big THANK YOU!!! for a Big Man.
November 8, 1961 - August 8, 2011
