a MAN for others

i was in the middle of my text brigade when i received a message that would stop my thumb from toiling. 

our beloved friend, kuya man, passed away. gary's message revealed no emotions whatsoever.

a part of me was not surprised.

days prior to this, kuya man was brought again–the second time for this year in just a month span–to the hospital. his creatinin level increased. his lone foot had to be removed. his bp shot up. almost everything that a man has to endure in a lifetime, kuya man faced it.

the benevolent lord wanted his son's soul to rest. he suffered from so many pains not to mention the lost of his sight, the severance of his right leg, and the sweet blood that ran through his plexus.  

who was kuya man? why are we–the st. eugene family–affected of his departure?

it was gary mart, our friend, who introduced us to kuya man.

before this person surfaced in our lives, we were in the formative years of our foundation, which later became h.e.r.e. (helping every child for the right to education). right after our first-ever outreach program dubbed, one: you'll never forget your first time, a big question loomed over us: "what's next after this?" 

we left it unanswered until gary came to us with an answer.

he had a friend who was blind, diabetic; still, he was supporting a group of deserving yet financially-troubled students. if this man who was physically-challenged could provide help to these kids, why couldn't 45 abled souls in their prime years and at the height of their careers do the same thing?

the discussions to support five high school students were swift. some of us, actually, were at awe by the immediate response. a portion of the group didn't believe in the cause. others argued we were so young to stand by this ambitious task. oppositions notwithstanding, we pushed through with this task. it may be an uncharted territory for all, if not most of us but with the grace of the lord, we successfully finished one school year.

it was during the second annual christmas party-slash-outreach program entitled, two: because one is not enough, we met this inspirational and sublime knight for the first time. 

while we were preparing for the party, i had a chance to talk to him. in his wheelchair, i could feel he wanted to jump and down to finally meet those people who were contributing for the monthly stipend of the kids. he was so grateful to each one of us present or otherwise. with our help, he had so many plans for the scholarship program.

now that i'm in the middle of this blog, the reality that he's gone is just settling in my heart. it's hard to accept that the man who inspired us to pursue–or even to start– this cause has left us.

recently, while kuya man was in the hospital, i had a text conversation with one of the scholars. i was asking her for updates regarding his condition. she didn't give any updates. she didn't even know what's happening to him. they were, according to her, advised not to go near him. it was them, according to rumors, that caused kuya man's health to plummet. i was taken aback by this. i immediately told my co-committee heads about the news.

how could other people think that these innocent youngsters were the reason why kuya man's health plunged? didn't these people know that it was them that brought so much joy and sense of reason to the life of this unsung hero? how could they push the kids away from their angel and vis-a-vis?

i don't care whether these questions will be answered.

the man passed away. to prolong his memory is the most important thing to do. it won't be a difficult task, i reckon. what he left has impacted so many of us. his crusade to help these kids will not be put in vain. as long as we're here, h.e.r.e. stays.

indeed, "it's better to devote more attention to a successful exit than a favorable entrance. what matters isn't being applauded when you arrived, but what you've left behind." 

so long, kuya man!

cheers for the wonderful legacy you left us.

*no sparkles!