Paalam Jan Lee :(

Angela, Me, (RIP) Jan Lee & Jorico

While I am memorizing some provisions of Quasi-delict, one of my friends texted me asking kung totoo ba daw about kay Jan Lee... I tried to reached her through call but to no avail to ask also what is it all about... But i have thoughts that something wrong happened to him. Then i continue studying. It was about 2:47 am when i received a text message from John Maraguinot, the President of Kabataan Pangarap ni Rizal informing me about the tragic death of Jan Lee, who was one of those who died in the bus-bombing accident happened somewhere in buendia. Grabe, this is the second time na biglang tumaas ang balahibo ko for about a minute (the first when i was informed about the death of my lola last Dec. 30). I called John to confirm the news coz i dont want to believe it. He answered with a distured voice that IT IS CONFIRMED! 

I know that all of us will die, but it's hard for me to accept that one of my friends will die like that... a very inhumane act. I therefore defy the doers of this evil deed. Whoever you are, you will be bothered by your conscience forever! The souls of the victims will forever visit you in your dreams, in your thoughts... May God repay you with his divine mercy! but in humanity you will be remembered as ills, a stinking animal without any touch of kindness and consideration in your blood.

I first met Jan Lee when i was a student leader in RTU. As far as i remember, he was at the opposite side of my political party. Unfortunately, when i was betrayed by my own political party, he was one of those who catch me despite of our differences. Then on, he supported me in all of my undertakings, i even appointed him as one of my councilors in the student council during the last months of my term as President. When my term expired, i never thought that we will meet pa. Luckily, he joined the Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal, and later on one of the pioneers of the RYLI Youth Coordinators Guild. 

As a Rizalian, he showed the hope that we, youth must have. Inspired by the teachings and ideals of Rizal, he volunteered in the recently concluded Rizal Youth Leadership Institute sacrificing his time and resources just to be part of this realization. He was very serious in what he was doing. In fact, i really admire his voice in singing live one of the patriotic songs of the Institute. 

Shock, despair, anger, grief, sorrow, loneliness are just but few of the feelings that we, his friends felt when we heard the news. Nevertheless, our life in this earth is just a preparation of an eternal life waiting up there. Hence, we must demonstrate the things that we must do according to God's will now. 

"realized that fulfillment doesn't mean achieving your highest dreams in life but also, living a life that has made the lives of others worth living"... 

Even in his last post mentioned above in FB. He illustrated the real sense of being fulfilled. That to feel fulfillment, we must see fulfillment first to others by touching their inner cells to do good also for others. That is the secret of being happy here in this world.

Jan Lee, wherever you are... you already fulfilled your goal... you already demonstrated the real reason why we are here... you already illustrated  the true feeling of commitment, love, care and volunteerism not only for yourself nor for others but for our nation as a whole. Having you as a friend is a great opportunity, working with you as a rizalist is a healthy exercise for me. Masakit man and iyong pagkawala, hindi man namin tanggap ang uri ng iyong paglisan... Alam namin na sa huli tayo din ay magkikita-kitapa! Salamat sa sandaling panahon ng tunay na pagkakaibigan, salamat sa tiwala at salamat sa pagmamahal... You forever be missed in this world not just as an individual but an ardent Rizalist, a true Friend and a loving Brother! Paalam kapatid! Non Omnias Moriar (Not everything in me will die).

May the life of Jan Lee be a guiding star to all youth of today, that we must not be tired to hope for a better future. Indeed, the tomorrow is in our hands, so let us craft our tomorrow by doing great things today!