Remembering Lex

I just remembered my friend Lex. It was his birthday last August 21, and because he passed my mind a couple of times, I have decided to write about him.

I was probably 5 years old when my sister and I, and probably my cousin were walking along San Juan Street in Noveleta. If my memory is right, Lex was one of those rascals who tried to throw pebbles at us. But, his father caught him, and so he was reprimanded in front of us.

Fast forward to summer of 1989, I was going grade 7, my mom decided for us to take tennis lessons in a resthouse, Lex's dad's tennis court.

And just as predicted, Lex, who was about 17, was a heckler and a jerk while we were awkwardly trying to learn the perfect tennis form (I told you I am obsessed about every form of every sport). My older sister Treena could not stand him after a party where he made her bakod. I thought he was a dork who was KSP, and my cousin Chet was being teased to him, since they were almost the same age.

Well, after a while, we had no choice but to talk to him. Turns out this guy was like the biggest playboy in our town. Conyo kid from a school in Alabang being friendly with the whole first district of Cavite. And these girls absolutely loved him. And his undeniably beautiful dancing eyes.

I never had a crush on this guy. Thought of him more as a big brother, but our closeness only strengthened maybe starting June-July, when we all had to keep a secret from him...

I still remember that afternoon at the tennis court, he had just come from a pestering cold and cough which refused to leave him and the doctor, and also told us that he passed out when they got a sample of his blood. We were teasing him, and he was adamant on having his 18th birthday party in that rest house, like many of the parties in Noveleta.

Well, a few weeks after, he did not only NOT have a party, but he was also stricken with Leukemia, and had to celebrate his birthday in the hospital. His parents decided not to let him know, and because of boredom, he started calling friends, including me.

I cannot remember our conversations very well, probably his long list of girlfriends (simultaneous) and teasing me to our neighbor, but I remember all those times he was in the hospital, not knowing what was wrong, for a few minutes, I got to entertain him, to amuse him. I knew I reminded him of his very young sister, Diana (although the resemblance ended there-she grew up to be beautiful...) and I knew during those moments there were happy and fun....

Until he was already in critical condition and lost his voice, and two days before he passed away, I got to hold his hand without showing him my tears, trying to be strong while he struggled to say something when all that came out were moans of pain and frustration, and knowing too, that death was to come while he was still full of life. His dancing eyes piercing our hearts, his dancing eyes still fighting until the end...


It's been 10 years, and each time I dig this memory in my chest of unforgettable episodes in my life, I cannot help but cry. From May to October, God had given me the chance to be a part of this person's life, to love him like a big brother, to be with him like a friend. And when I do say a prayer for his soul, I also know that despite his wisecracks and antics, his heckles and teases, I also know that he is in Heaven, watching over us....