I listen to this song on full volume now, and I’m suddenly soaring through time, being transported six years back to the day we brought him to his final resting place.
His name was Daniel. Daniel Lescano.
It was a sunny day in Los Baños, Laguna, our hometown. The final rites took place in a small chapel near their house. I was surprised at how big the crowd was. People had to wait under the sun, some were gathered in groups to share and hear stories and testimonies of how he fared in life, how his short journey touched the lives of his family and friends, how he lived as a Christian son of God. The rites and services seemed like forever. We felt like we were waiting for something we’re not actually waiting for. It was one of the saddest days of my life, and I could not believe how in death, he was still able to make it like a spectacle, how he was able to keep the event somewhat light, somewhat jovial. I could not believe that in death, he was still able to warm our hearts and make us feel like he was just there cracking jokes and executing his famous dance moves with us.
That’s Daniel. A funny chunky guy who’d never run out of antics and dance moves and epic fail punchlines. He was our clown and jester, an oftentimes idiot boy who’d never fail to make us laugh so hard. Not many of us knew though that he was a different kind of person on the individual level. I got close to him when I had to stay with my sister in an apartment room in UPLB. I was still in high school then, and most of the time, I’d be alone at night. Daniel would suddenly come knocking on the door bugging the hell out of my peaceful rest. We’d hang out in Carabao Park and watch college girls walk by. He’d invite me to have dinner in their house. He’d ask me to do his assignments (even his younger brother’s assignments for Christ’s sake). He even made me write a love letter for her crush in school using my own handwriting wtf was that? He was the craziest boy I’ve ever known and someone who made our lives a little bit happier. Good times. Good times.
This song I embedded above was played in our friend Edric’s car as we joined the parade of love and support for Daniel on his last day on earth. The bass was so loud and powerful, it felt like the windows and the windshield were shaking. The song was playing so loud, the noontime daylight was blinding, but it was the darkest and coldest 4 minutes I’ve ever had. It felt surreal, I felt so weak and powerless as a human being. And it got into me: how life is so abrupt. So sudden. So unfair. So short and limiting. Two weeks before that we were just hanging around in Carabao Park one night. He even wanted to have a couple of drinks, but Edric and I turned him down. I never knew, we never knew, that it could’ve been our last hurrah.
I miss you, Daniboy, my man. Keep the angels laughing in heaven. Guide me by day. Guard me at night.
Seems like yesterday we used to rock the show
I laced the track, you locked the flow
So far from hanging on the block for dough
Notorious, they got to know that
Life ain’t always what it seem to be (uh-uh)
Words can’t express what you mean to me
Even though you’re gone, we still a team
Through your family, I’ll fulfill your dream (that’s right)
In the future, can’t wait to see
If you open up the gates for me
Reminisce some time, the night they took my friend (uh-huh)
Try to black it out, but it plays again
When it’s real, feelings hard to conceal
Cant imagine all the pain I feel
Give anything to hear half your breath (half your breath)
I know you still living your life, after death
Writing Prompt: A song that reminds you of something sad.