I was driving in Ortigas traffic, stuck almost in front of The Medical City (TMC) when the text message came from Rowena -- "Francis M passed away at 12 noon today." P and I looked at each other and then we looked in the direction of the hospital where I once worked.
I had just begun my stint at TMC as Corporate Communications Consultant when Francis was first admitted last year for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. This was sometime in April 2008. It came as a big surprise because I had always known him to be the healthy, active type. I was at the same time, scared for him though because my father in-law had passed away from the same illness in 1999, only two weeks from diagnosis.
Once in a while, I would see Pia M in the hospital, always in a rush, going to and fro, possibly shuttling between Francis M and her other children. Oh but her devotion to him was truly admirable. And she carried her burden with so much grace and courage. I once had the opportunity of making small talk with her in the elevator. She looked tired and wan, but remained very pleasant and had a peaceful smile on her face.
My heart goes out to her and their eight children. It's difficult enough to be a widow, all the more when there are many kids to look out for. I pray that God fill her with the wisdom, courage and grace to see her through the next few days, weeks, months... I know Francis was her world, her great love.. and she loved him well, to the end.
This is the third death that my husband H and I have encountered over the last couple of days. Yesterday, his classmate Monch passed away from a stroke, gone at 55. They had just been together a week before at a merienda for their classmate Don Rodis. "I remember what he wore, he was in bright red t-shirt with "Kiwanis" emblazoned on it." H said yesterday when he told me that Monch had just died.
This morning, a provincemate of H's, who is the uncle of a dear friend of mine from college was gone at 58 from complications arising from diabetes.
A few hours later, it was Francis M. Gone at 44. We share the same birth month and year and so when someone that close in age to you just died, you cannot help but ponder the brevity of life.
You will never know when you will go. Look at Amiel Alcantara. One moment he is walking in a parking lot, sandwich in hand, strolling with his siblings. A few minutes later, his very life is snuffed out of him, just like that.
And so we must always remember to always live well, and love well. It's useless bearing grudges, or not being able to forgive. Let go and live each day in peace and love. Spend time with your loved ones. When you part, never part in anger. In doing so, you do not live with regret. Regret is a sad thing to have when you are on your death bed or when a loved one suddenly passes away.
My friend Sweepea said it well, "The father of Pinoy rap is now with the FATHER." Fill the heavens with your music now Francis. Thank you for the music and your presence in our lives. You will be missed.
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