Loss

My Uncle Cesar passed away. (He's actually the brother of my grandfather but we call him uncle.) It happened right before 2025 ended. I actually saw him earlier last year, when his wife Auntie Lily was about to celebrate her 99th birthday. Since my mom and I couldn't attend the party which was scheduled over lunch on a weekday, we decided to visit them at home and spend some time with them to catch up. Uncle Cesar didn't seem sick at the time. In fact, he was quite energetic and he talked to us about all the work he was still planning to do. It was very impressive that his mind was still very sharp and that he was still doing consulting work at his age. It is quite sorrowful that we lost him shortly before the New Year but it is also great that he lived up to the incredible age of 98. My family and I went to the wake right after Christmas. It was such a shame that I got to see many of my relatives under such unfortunate circumstances during the Christmas season but I guess that's how life goes.

Then shortly after New Year, the fathers of two of my dear college friends passed away. My friend Val lives abroad but she came home recently because her dad was in critical condition. Unfortunately, he didn't make it. His wake was held a few days after his passing at della Strada Parish. Then a few day later, more bad news: my friend Letlet also lost her dad. His wake was held at Mt. Carmel. Both wakes overlapped and I ended up going to both wakes on the same night. I was told it was bad luck to do this but I don't really believe in that and I felt it was more important for me to show support to my friends Val and Letlet. Their husbands, Louie and Alan, are actually also part of our college group of friends, so I was there to support them both as well.

May Uncle Cesar, Tito Red, and Tito Gaudencio all rest in peace.