Si Mark at ang Manila Bay Sunset noong April 14

Dapit-hapon ng Sabado, April 14, 2012, habang nanunuod ako ng Aliwan Fiesta Parade sa Roxas Boulevard, sumaglit akong sumilip sa inaayos na Bay Walk, nakakatuwang tignan ang araw na papalubog, parang  humahalik sa dagat, mala-gintong kumikinang ang repleksyon sa tubig, may mga ibong animo'y nakikipaglaro sa hangin habang naghahanap ng madadagit. 

Habang kumukuha ako ng shots, dumaplis sa aking isipan, "sayang wala si Mark, magandang kunan ang sunset bago pa naman ang kanyang camera." Sa laot maaaninag ang naglalayag na mga barko. Bigla kong naalala na " ga-gradweyt na pala sya sa Lunes, April 16 sa kanyang 2nd course, magiging sea man na ang aking kaibigan."

Alas-8 ng gabi, tinext ko pa sya kung susunod pa sya saken sa CCP Complex. 'Di na nagreply. Inisip kong nagtampo kasi mas binigyan ko pa ng halaga ang pumunta sa Aliwan kesa magkita kami at umattend ng service sa PGH Chapel. Pero yun pala ang oras na sya'y nakikipagtuos kay kamatayan.

Kung gaano ako natuwa sa aking mga shots ay syang walang katapat ang aking pagtangis nung malaman ko ang kanyang paglisan. Hindi ko inakalang ang araw na iyon ay syang magiging kanyang dapit-hapon; na sya ay tuluyang  lalayag...

Iyon na pala ang aming huling bonding... Si Mark at ang Manila Bay Sunset noong April 14 marahil ay iisa.

By Nino Kristobal Selibio 
https://www.facebook.com/ninokristobal.selibio/about

Such a Moment

Laughing with somebody till the tears run down your cheeks. Waking up to the first snow. Being in bed with somebody you love. Whether you thank God for such a moment or thank your lucky stars, it is a moment that is trying to open up your whole life. If you turn your back on such a moment and hurry along to business as usual, it may lose you the ball game. If you throw your arms around such a moment and hug it like crazy, it may just save your soul.

Frederick Buechner

For What It's Worth

For what it’s worth: it’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

Benjamin Button (Slightly Adapted)

From the movie: 'The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button'