The Passing of a Friend

I met Pocholo when we were both enrolled in a pre-med course in La Salle Bacolod. He eventually changed course and became a lawyer while I plodded on to become a doctor. I only stayed for 2 years in La Salle Bacolod but that was enough to create a lasting friendship.  Thinking back, he was not your typical teenager...although I found him both serious and funny, Philip as we called him then was also very responsible, caring and helpful.  On hindsight, he was very protective towards all of us that he seemed to be older and more mature. In fact it is only now that I learn that he is just one month older than I am. I have many good memories of  Philip "Pocholo" Dabao as Philip and later as Pocholo.  He became Pocholo or Pochoy to me, 25 years later when I attended the homecoming in La Salle when he was the alumni president. As time went on, I would see him rarely...but every time we did, we always have a short chat catching up on each other's lives. I have this one special memory of Pochoy's caring ways...a few years ago, I had a traffic accident as I turned to La Salle Avenue.  As I was trying to talk to the very belligerent and defensive taxi driver, Pochoy suddenly appeared in front of me. It turned out that he and his kids were eating at Jollibee and when he saw me, he just had to help.  That was Pocholo...a good friend who always had your back.  Last night I went to his wake with my mom who was one of his teachers in college and saw Pia, his cherished wife.  Words will never be enough to console her and their children on Pocholo's passing...all I can do is hug her.  To Pochoy, vaya con Diós my friend, and hey! even if you're on the other side, please don't stop watching our backs.