A childhood friend, a good man, died last night. He was my age. And while we’ve lost touch, I had heard he’d done well in his life. Civil engineer, married a beautiful woman who served as a nurse, continued to be a beloved son, sibling, cousin and nephew. When I had heard he collapsed while playing basketball, and had gone into cardiac arrest, it stopped me in my tracks. I had wanted to go see him, but decided to let him be with his family while healing.

You never really think someone young could pass away. Especially someone who had so much going for him, and now with all the outpouring of tributes on social media, how much he was valued by his community.

I don’t really know what I’m trying to say. I’m mostly still not absorbing this and trying to write through what this means. To say his family is one we absolutely care for is an understatement. Through the years we’ve never lost touch with his parents, and I always enjoy seeing them when we go home to Batangas.

I can’t even imagine how they’re feeling.

So I guess, just tell your loved ones you love them. You never really know how much time you have left.

Rest in peace my friend. We’ll do what we can for your family here. Don’t worry about them. It will hurt because you are so loved, but they have each other through this. That we know for sure.