A legend dies

It was as sudden as the wind.

I was still walking through dreamland when a text message from a friend in the United States texted me, "Michael Jackson dies of cardiac arrest."

I thought, another story-telling-lies. And went on with my dreaming.

The noise of our television then woke me up, just in time for me not to be late for work.

Henry Omaga-Diaz, our local news anchor, then announced the death of the King of Pop at 50 years old. Now, tell me, am I still dreaming, I thought.

But no, I am awake, my eyes wide open.

Who would know MJ?

From his oh-so-out-of-this-world music videos to his remarkable songs, Michael Jackson has captured the world and held it on his hands.

Literally, the world went crazy over him. I just don't know if it's his looks or his music.

With all honesty, I love his music.

I love the way how I dance with every beat he produces, a wild rhythm put together to create magic. He is a true icon, legendary at that.

My officemate even said, "Music won't be music without Michael Jackson,"

True enough.

There wouldn't be Usher, Luther Van Dross, or 98 Degrees without MJ.

The world will surely miss MJ. I will surely miss him.

He may not be here on earth physically, but his music will resound through all generations.

May you rest in peace.

Of fishes and death

She used to be hyperactive, as if I always feed her with sugar. But a week ago she was not her usual self. She was as if longing for someone whom she's waiting for many years now. She was totally different.

And then there she was, right where I left her last Friday. However, she is no longer breathing, no longer moving, no longer swimming.

Maria left me. Our Maria left us. 

I got her as a souvenir from one of the debut that we handled. I got two fishes so my partner and I named them Maria and Tony - from the world-renowned West Side Story. 

My partner couldn't have it in his office so I decided to keep them both on my desk. From that day on, I kept them close to my heart. I fed them, washed their bowl, and even played with them. 

It was as sudden as the death of Marky Cielo just last week. But all things come to an end. 

Now suddenly I am frightened - frightened by the thought of losing someone you dearly love, frightened of the fact that in just a blink of an eye, I will lose everything.

I always have that fear of death. It is something that I could never comprehend, it seems so abstract, so surreal. Morbid curiosity might sometimes struck me, but I can never fully grasp its concept.

Why do we have to die?

I don't know either. All I know is that when you die, as the Church say, you will find everlasting life. But I ask, how could you find life when you are physically dead?

It is maybe God's way of telling us that death is actually not the end, but it's a start of a perfect life with Him. It is not life's dead end, it's a detour to our life with God and Christ.

Maria might be gone. But she left me learnings that I would never replace for another fish. 

And so I say, I will definitely miss cleaning your bowl Maria. 

I will miss you.