Losing a friend
Untimely Death
For the first time, I suddenly felt the weight of losing a friend. He wasn't the closest friend ever, but I've known him for a long time. It's safe to say that I know him for at least 10 years now. I'll call him Jabs on this entry.
Three months ago, Lauren, Jabs' sister, was gunned down in a jeep by an unknown assailant. She was killed instantly. I went to her wake and despite not knowing her personally, I was really surprised how much people know and love her. Jabs told me so many stories about her. And her Facebook profile shows. She's kind of famous in the K-Pop Community here in the Philippines. I also see Jabs posting stuff and pictures about he and Lauren together.
To this day, the assailant is still unknown. He was talking about following up the investigation so they would discover who killed and why her sister got killed.
Fast forward. Just two days ago, Jabs was killed. All it took was one bullet to the temple. Boom. Gone. My very own friend. He wasn't even getting close to knowing the truth about his sister, and now he's gone.
He was one of the pioneer members of PPF when Drummania and Guitarfreaks was at the peak of its popularity here in the Philippines. That was 2006.
Before July, our recent meet-up was last year, in Kweni's (Jabs' wife) despedida party. He's the jolly, joking fellow. No dull moments.
I would remember him say "MODUUUUUUN SPESHYUUUUUL", a joking mockery of "Modern Special", an Okonomiyaki we ordered in Kagura, Little Tokyo. This was in our meet-up last 3 years ago, with wifey, Kweni, Kevz, and Timba. We were playing Diablo 3.
I went to countless wakes to comfort my friends and relatives, but the pain is greater when you lose your very own friend. I did lose my mom a year ago - that was one of the loneliest days of my life, but the day I learned Jabs died is something else. It was grueling.
When I woke up, at first, I could not believe the news. My brain was denying it. Maybe it was a mistake. But the headline stated. "Makati shooting victim's brother shot dead". I had to rub my eyes and read the article for myself. It was all true.
Jabs, lying down there, lifeless. I can't talk to him anymore.
I felt sad, angry, and scared at the same time after reading the article. Sad, because he was my friend, and a friend of most of my common friends. I can't imagine the anguish his family and Kweni is feeling right now. Angry, because they had to shoot even him. Scared, because I don't know who's next, realistically thinking.
I woke up wifeydeadkarrot and told her about his death. From not even half awake, her eyes opened wide. "Seryoso!?" Anyone would deny the truth at first. "Bakit pati siya!?" I asked the same question myself.
I started talking to friends. Naunahan pa ako. "Habs, you heard about Jabs?" Demn right. I was literally talking to more than 5 persons at Facebook in less than 3 minutes to the point that my browser got convoluted. The most common keyword would be "Putangina" and "tangina".
When Lauren died, I had to message friends, round them up and plan a visit to Lauren's wake. We had to talk to Jabs and ask what time will he be there, and where the wake would be.
It's different right now. Our contact would only be her wife, Kweni, and I can't bring myself talking to her for what happened. It's a good thing Jabs' cousin posted information about the wake.
Paalam Jabs. You will be missed.
Mood Meter
For the first time, I suddenly felt the weight of losing a friend. He wasn't the closest friend ever, but I've known him for a long time. It's safe to say that I know him for at least 10 years now. I'll call him Jabs on this entry.
Three months ago, Lauren, Jabs' sister, was gunned down in a jeep by an unknown assailant. She was killed instantly. I went to her wake and despite not knowing her personally, I was really surprised how much people know and love her. Jabs told me so many stories about her. And her Facebook profile shows. She's kind of famous in the K-Pop Community here in the Philippines. I also see Jabs posting stuff and pictures about he and Lauren together.
To this day, the assailant is still unknown. He was talking about following up the investigation so they would discover who killed and why her sister got killed.
Fast forward. Just two days ago, Jabs was killed. All it took was one bullet to the temple. Boom. Gone. My very own friend. He wasn't even getting close to knowing the truth about his sister, and now he's gone.
He was one of the pioneer members of PPF when Drummania and Guitarfreaks was at the peak of its popularity here in the Philippines. That was 2006.
Before July, our recent meet-up was last year, in Kweni's (Jabs' wife) despedida party. He's the jolly, joking fellow. No dull moments.
I would remember him say "MODUUUUUUN SPESHYUUUUUL", a joking mockery of "Modern Special", an Okonomiyaki we ordered in Kagura, Little Tokyo. This was in our meet-up last 3 years ago, with wifey, Kweni, Kevz, and Timba. We were playing Diablo 3.
I went to countless wakes to comfort my friends and relatives, but the pain is greater when you lose your very own friend. I did lose my mom a year ago - that was one of the loneliest days of my life, but the day I learned Jabs died is something else. It was grueling.
When I woke up, at first, I could not believe the news. My brain was denying it. Maybe it was a mistake. But the headline stated. "Makati shooting victim's brother shot dead". I had to rub my eyes and read the article for myself. It was all true.
Jabs, lying down there, lifeless. I can't talk to him anymore.
I felt sad, angry, and scared at the same time after reading the article. Sad, because he was my friend, and a friend of most of my common friends. I can't imagine the anguish his family and Kweni is feeling right now. Angry, because they had to shoot even him. Scared, because I don't know who's next, realistically thinking.
I woke up wifeydeadkarrot and told her about his death. From not even half awake, her eyes opened wide. "Seryoso!?" Anyone would deny the truth at first. "Bakit pati siya!?" I asked the same question myself.
I started talking to friends. Naunahan pa ako. "Habs, you heard about Jabs?" Demn right. I was literally talking to more than 5 persons at Facebook in less than 3 minutes to the point that my browser got convoluted. The most common keyword would be "Putangina" and "tangina".
When Lauren died, I had to message friends, round them up and plan a visit to Lauren's wake. We had to talk to Jabs and ask what time will he be there, and where the wake would be.
It's different right now. Our contact would only be her wife, Kweni, and I can't bring myself talking to her for what happened. It's a good thing Jabs' cousin posted information about the wake.
Paalam Jabs. You will be missed.
Mood Meter