Willy

I just got word from old classmates that a dear friend passed away yesterday from a massive stroke.  From what we gather, it was his second or third stroke, and one of the earlier strokes had already left him partially paralyzed.  Because he lives in Dagupan City, we don't know much about the arrangements for the wake and the burial, information has been slow to come in, as we have lost all contact with him for the past twenty five years.  All we can do is to say our prayers for the eternal repose of his soul.

I knew Willy very well, we often went to parties together in the late seventies--I can still remember his green Ford Cortina that we used to move about town.  While he stuttered when he spoke, his warm arm of friendship always made him good friends.  He played a mean game of basketball, wasn't afraid to mix and brawl in the center lane.  One of my life's most embarrassing moments happened with him--it was almost midnight, we were coning home from a party when we were caught by the Metrocom right in front of Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila trying to beat curfew.  The police asked us to put our hands on the hood of the Ford Cortina, and we stayed there, legs spread, for around 20 minutes, while the cops tore up the seats of the car, looking for illegal drugs.  At that time I had visions of spending the next few weeks in jail, or worse, Camp Crame--we were clean, but how could we protest?  Those were the Martial Law years, and anything could happen.  We were luckily spared, and sent home only with our shattered pride.

He always backed me up, ready to pounce on anyone in case we got into a brawl.  He never backed down from a fight.  He used to court a girl named Nancy; I don't even know the woman he eventually married.  One of our friends learned that some ten years ago, he got into some financial difficulties, but I think everything was resolved, and he made his new business base in Dagupan City, transferring there from Metro Manila.  My good friend, wherever you are--here's to the good times, and may you find your peace.