Sumaglit

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During our peak obsession kay gwapulis Richard Pangilinan, may isa tayong nakakiskisang siko dito, si Ate Froglita. Nagko-comment lang siya noong una kasi pare-pareho tayo ng pantasya hanggang sa magpalitan kami ng online messages at nagkita sa personal. 

It was in Trinoma and I was wearing this yellow shirt. Sa escalator kami unang nagkasalubong at dinala niya ako para lumaps sa Abe's. First time kong kumain sa ganoong lugar. Binigyan niya ako ng NBS gift check na pinambili ko ng Dear Migs. Alam niya na mahilig ako sa gay indie films and he influenced me to broaden my taste and watch world cinema such as The Naked Civil Servant and La Ley Del Deseo. He's the reason why I became a fan of Pedro Almodóvar. Pinahiram niya rin sa akin ang personal copy niya ng Naiibang Pag-ibig book ni Dra. Margie Holmes and gave me VCDs of Liberated and Bridal Shower. 

Siya ang nagbigay daan para first time kong maranasan ang panonood ng theater play sa CCP at ballet show sa Aliw Theater. We also ate somewhere in Malate sabay turo sa Café Adriatico na paboritong kainan ng mga beki. Pero sa lahat ng 'yan, isa siya sa kauna-unahang nagtiwala sa kakayahan kong magsulat. Ni-refer niya ako sa isang kolumnista na nakatira sa Makati. I went there after my shift. Met the guy and was actually a former ambassador but our writing styles didn't match. Pang-class A ang hinahanap eh pang-class DE ang ganda ko. CHAR! Still, it was a memorable experience.

After a few years of bonding, sadly eh natuldukan ang aming pagkakaibigan. This was before COVID pa. But it didn't end bitter at all. I think. Messages stopped and I was unfriended. I didn't ask for any reasons. 

Recently, naalala ko siya dahil madalas mabanggit sa isang popular page ang isa niyang photographer friend. I searched for his FB profile and found out he died. I was shocked and didn't know how to feel. Suddenly remembered his beautiful contribution in my life. I'm writing this to let him know that wherever he is, I value our friendship so much and I don't want to forget it. How I wish I reached out and rekindled our connection but I guess life has a different plan.

Salamat, Ate Froglita. You're one of the people who made an impact in my life. You believed in me when I doubted my skills. Masaya ako na sumaglit ka sa buhay ko. Aalalahanin kita habang binabasa itong magasin na ikaw ang editor-in-chief. Proud ako na nakilala ko ang isang tulad mo. You will always be included in my prayers.