= These are shots taken during the retrieval operation in Kayan. Despite the sadness brought about by the incident, it was heartwarming to note that people all over Mountain Province came together to help each other in any way they can in cash, kind and service. It's a clear show of the "ob-obbo" values of the Igorot. The heart may be heavy but the thought that we are not alone in this world is very enlightening. =
The first time I heard of the Kayan incident, I thought of Lesio but instead of the usual happy face, it was four coffins that passed through my eyes. I did not want to confirm my interpretation of the four coffins and I did not have the privilege of contacting Lesio my my cellphone on dead battery. It was really and truly heart rending to have the tragedy confirmed. Lesio and the whole of his family were buried in the land slide in Kayan, Tadian.
Les was not just a friend to me, he was a brother, a very dear brother. Since we met in 1993, our friendship was founded and it flourished as the years went by. It was tested by fire - by intrigues, by cold - by non-communication, by time and by the countless experiences we met along the way. It was proven to have been with that of a strong foundation and on a firm ground. And even when our family circles expanded, still the friendship flourished extending it to our children and our relatives. We did not just consider each other as friends but as family members.
He was a dreamer especially when awake. And, he works for those dreams. Even on his last breath, he was the Lesio I have ever known - loving and caring. His children were found hugging each other and he and his wife were found hugging each other. Beside them is a Bible, a wallet, an ID and a cellphone - items that symbolize so what really matters in life. It touched me that from the site also they were able to recover some pictures that showed and had me reminisce the happy times. I think it was not only I that was helped by those pictures but some of us also who viewed them. It reminded us of the happy times and helped bring back the picture of the happy Lesio and his wife. Now, their coffins are still clear, but beside the coffins are happy faces of the whole family. I can hardly even remember how they looked after being mangled by the debris, rocks, woods, soil and water. Now, I remember more their looks when our families got together to celebrate his promotion as principal and his wife's coming home.
Until now though, it is still hard though to think of Lesio and just let his image float. It still hurts to think that he could have done more have he been given the chance to live longer. Yet, his time has come as all of us will. In their short span of life, they had been full of life, living life as it should be - fulfilling their mission.
And now, from the Benguet State University Mountain Collegian family, we will continue to "write what is right" as we had shouted before. From DepEd-MP, we will continue to serve a life of service as you've modelled and pray that more will serve as you've done and even give more than what you have already given. From the OSCAR, we'll continue to live a life of excellence with the right attitue, saluting you for having done so. You may have gone before us, but you'll forever be in our hearts as a friend, a brother, a model, a family and even more. Our families will continue to be molded together with the love of God.
And, personally from me, I did not just lose a friend, I lost a brother, a comforter, a statistician (Do you know that i have even told somebody that i need not learn statistics because i already have you??? what a very tactless statement but that is how proud i am to have you.), an all talented individual gift-wrapped by God for me and all others you have served. Yet, I know that with yor absence, God meant it for something else. I will miss you. Forever, you will remain in our hearts.
