Jon

"Dapat ginaya ko si Cory (Aquino) noong nagspeech ako!," he quipped as we huddled almost 29 years ago in the Principal's Office during Boys' Day in Letran (Elementary Department). We all laughed.  "OK pala itong si De la Llana!", I told myself.  For a few months back, he came across as a fierce student leader quelling the commotion in our classroom and showing  zero tolerance to one student who was pasaway.

It took another year for us get to know more of each other though.  During break times, he would frequent our classroom to see his friends such as Jose Mari Balugay, Pedro Diaz, and Lamberto “Gary” Ramos. Unknown to me then, Jonathan (a.k.a. Jon or Tobi) also lives in Gagalangin.  In our conversations, I discovered that he was religious and was attending liturgical services in the parish.  About that time, I was already introduced into the Apostleship of Prayer (AP).  Also, a new (and younger) parish priest was assigned in Gagalangin. When asked if he would be interested to join this group, he gave me the affirmative.  Hence, on June 9, 1988 we were both invested with the AP scapular. The following months saw us immersed in the life of the parish through the choir (5:30am Friday, 6:30pm first Friday, and 7:30am Sunday  Masses), Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, collections during the 4pm Sunday Mass, AP meetings in the parish and elsewhere, etc. (not to mention our evening strolls along the quiet streets and alleys near Hermosa Street). Jon later recruited me in the Samahang Birhen ng Medalla Milagrosa and the Cofradia de San Jose. I just realized now that our devotion can be summed up as follows: Jesus, Maria y Josep.

Getting to know the other young members of the AP, we started to congregate at their house along Benita Street. That small band became the core group of the AP-Youth.  By January 1989, in a snap election called for by the AP Elders, AP-Youth had its set of officers: I was elected President; Jon, Vice President. Jon utilised and developed his skills and talents for the good of the group.  At the APY, he also served as PRO, Education Chairman, and President. For years, he designed the altar during APY’s annual pabasa, as well as the altar and carroza decorations for the feasts of the Sacred Heart, Our Lady, and St Joseph. He was also a founding member of the Tanghalang Anluwage serving as its first Artistic Director.

All along, our friendship grew. Apart from being almost every day in church (A teacher once chided “Tulog pa ang Diyos nasa simbahan na kayo!”.), we belong to the same section in second year high school. Jon came across as a humble, generous, broad-minded, thoughtful, and considerate person. One Christmas, someone in the parish gave him 2 leather wallets as gifts for him and I. He waited to see me to ask which color I prefer – one was black and the other, brown. When I chose black, he took the remaining wallet.  Whenever he had plans for the APY, he would make it a point to consult me.  He was the first classmate, friend, and colleague who called me Manong. That went viral – almost all members in the APY and then later in Anluwage have (fondly) called me Manong.

Of course, like any friendship we were not spared from those galit-bati moments typical of any teenager.  What strikes me is how Jon would often make the first step to say sorry. There was one occasion when he and another colleague went to our house. I was then cleaning the living room when he saw me (through the screen door) and said in a rather jolly tune: “Hello. We have come in peace!”. Now, whose heart won’t melt at that gesture? 

Jon was the life of the party.  On my 18^th birthday, I fell ill. Jon, along with Art Reyes, Sis. Mely Co and her daughter Rushelle paid me a visit and had dinner with us.  Amidst lighted candles around the house – blackouts were frequent that year – we had a great time. I felt uplifted!  A few weeks later, APY celebrated its anniversary. There was no planned program, just a simple salu-salo. But here comes Jon dancing and singing while Arnold Vidar played his guitar to the enjoyment of everyone!

Even when we parted ways in college, we still kept in touch. I’m happy to be able to get in touch with him through Friendster and then later in Facebook. He used to write “Stopovers”, an opinion column in the web, and contributed too in “The Nine Gifts” and “The Seven Last Words” projects. Last New Year's Day, when I sent him a message on the web’s 10^th anniversary, he expressed willingness to help. “Just keep me posted”, he told me. 

In his last article in “Stopovers”, Jon wrote “Has it ever occurred in your life that you had an encounter with another person totally not known to you yet has been significant?”.  Looking back, I could unequivocally say yes. Yes I have encountered someone who has been significant, someone who may have walked along the path of life once, but has touched me and others with his warmth, openness, passion, and faith.

Jon, you are that person.  I thank the Lord for that gift of encounter. Thank you for your friendship and love.  It’s hard for me to accept that you are no longer with us.  I felt there’s still more to learn from and work with you. As you have encountered us and treated us as siblings or friends, as someone significant in your life, enjoy now the much sought for encounter with the Lord.  Vaya con Dios, bro!