The past week flashed before me like a dreaded nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from. My ‘Pa died last week. He had a heart attack while at sea, collecting sea shells with his buddies. Fortunately his body was found right away but nobody was close enough to save him from totally drowning.

I have no words enough to express my loss. ‘Pa was the best father in the world and no man in my life has ever come close to measuring against him.

Death is something that we’d all face at one point, but when it comes, we still find ourselves surprised in many different ways. My whole family was all caught off-guard by my father’s sudden passing.

We couldn’t accept it and all felt that it was too soon. But deep in our hearts we know that the timing was all right, that he was happy and proud of what we’ve all become and he is assured that we’d all take care of each other.

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‘Pa at Rizal beach, Gubat, Sorsogon. Photo taken 18 April 2005

We buried him yesterday. Last night we all slept on the floor, under one huge mosquito net (Yes, all 8 of us: ‘Ma, me & Raine, the twins, Gary + wife & kid) trying to seek comfort and warmth from each other while it poured heavily at midnightI last saw my father about 6 weeks ago.

He visited me and Raine at LB for a week. He was calm and happy.

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To those who sent their sympathies through email and SMS and to those who came all the way here: my heartfelt gratitude. I’m still home down south fixing stuff. I’ll get back to you all soon. I’m reporting back at work on 17th October.