As I am writing this, i still can't believe that our good friend, Evan Ragandang has passed away last March 07. It was a sad week after hearing the news, and it was also an unexpected news to begin with. I was still on the phone with Bang when I visited Manila last Feb 13, and he was still in his good old jolly mood. Although i was concerned that he is back home in Cagayan de Oro,according to him,he is just resting for awhile after another visit to the hospital.
Bang has been confined for some time in the Lung Center in Manila last year because of his pneumonia/bronchitis/asthma/whatever not-so-clearly-diagnosed condition. We jokingly talked about it, and I teased him that he could be going out too much partying and he could have caught the "bird flu". Of course, conversations with Bang were never serious and comedian that he is, he will never talk to you seriously despite being in pain. I was always wondering, what Life could he have had if he didn't leave Singapore? It feels like that time was not so long ago, it was a point in time when most of my friends are already fed up of Singapore. In fact, that was the first disease he got -- the contagious "boredom". He was always talking about wanting change but i was never convinced that quitting work and packing your things abruptly is the solution. But, the wind of destiny is blowing him back to the Philippines and so, he went back and finally landed a new job, a new place, and new set of friends. I was content for him, the "change" that he was looking for has quickly materialised. But, I never thought it would come this far, not to the extent of not seeing him again.
Again, I have always wondered, could his Life be better if he did not leave Singapore? Even if he will be sick just the same, i somehow think that medical care in Singapore is better. Maybe he could have better treatment or maybe better, he could have stayed his same healthy self. I don't know what lies ahead, and I also don't own the future but sometimes, given the right conditions, maybe circumstances could have been different.
It is hard to ignore the loss of a friend specially if most of the pictures you have together are happy memories. I thought 10 or 15 years down the road I could compare notes with Bang and account for the individual lives we have journeyed. I guess that will not happen. I guess, for the mortal years Bang has enjoyed, that is the only history I could look back. But I guess, despite the short years, Bang will remain to bear a smiling face, he will always be remembered as the entertainer, the don't worry-be-happy guy, the urban chic, the adventurer, the aspiring tennis rookie (of thomson 800), the best in gossip, the most up-to-date when it comes to any 50-70% sale, the most neat and organised, the most talkative, the most ..the most.. the most... i can continue for a day but, i have to let go because he is only a memory now.
Bang, I have always thanked God for the gift of your friendship. For the life you have lost, I will all the more cherish the life I live. Life is short indeed, you remind me to slow down from my everyday "busyness", not forgetting what's essential to happy living that is, good health, loving relationships, and communion with the Lord.
So long my friend, you will always be remembered.
