I Was Fooled, But Still Was Amazed

It was a Friday afternoon, right after my shift I have to go straight to Santuario de San Antonio parish in Forbes Park, Makati. The Emanon Male Chorus was assigned to sing for a necrological service for a journalist. I have to take a bath in the office (for the very first time) and take a cab going to the church. The church is famous for its surroundings, where the elites live. Indeed, its very normal to see cars (expensive ones, that is...).

Anyhow, this just a few of the churches in Manila with airconditioning systems, kaya its a good place to beat the summer heat. I arrive there shortly after 12 noon, and it was a suprising sight. Andaming nakabarong sa labas ng simbahan. Yes, I know its a famous person, but is he that famous to bring a number of dignitaries to the church? Interesting...

His Excellency Giving the Award

Little did I realized the mass is for The Philippine Star columnist Billy Esposo. The church slowly got filled with family members, friends and mourners. That was cool, one can see that Billy is good person by the number of mourners and people attending the last rites before his burial, but then what surprised me is that the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Noynoy Aquino, was the guest of honor. Then I realized, I'm singing for a friend of the President. Whoa.

The mass went like the usual, no big deal, but then came the messages from the families and friends. It flashed back memories of 2001, when my mom passed away. People trying to make their peace with the beloved, the memories that brought the day he has to pass away. The pains and joys of a life well spent.

The Speech

Then His Excellency came to give his speech, the finale. It was the longest but I guess one can really tell the man is extemporaneous and really fluent, from the flow of thoughts to the word stresses. I was blown away. I keep on telling my choir mates "San niya kinukuha yung sinasabi nya?". And my mates would laugh at me saying he has a projector-like thing on the stand where he read his scripts. Still amazing know he spoke close to twenty minutes without stops (save for him drinking water to clear his throat). Nevertheless, its not everyday you see most powerful man in the country giving speeches while not on TV. Hahaha

At shempre, hindi makakalimutan ang pictures sa harap ng altar, ryt?