Skip to main content

Remembering Becky

In 2001, my dear friend Rebecca was traveling in Bicol with her band mates doing acoustic type performances in college campuses, town squares and bars — anywhere they could earn P2000 each plus enough gas money to get to the next province in her rickety maroon pickup.

That trip ended in disaster when the four-wheeler that the 22-year-old musician had been driving came to a halt in a southbound lane in Nabua, Camarines Sur and was rear-ended by a huge delivery truck. The five members of the band were taken to a nearby hospital, where Rebecca was pronounced dead shortly after the 3:30 a.m. crash.

Three weeks before she died, I was fortunate enough to have brunch with Becky and her cousin Ray. We watched Pulp Fiction on VHS, talked about music and ate lasagna at her parents' house. A few hours after her death, Ray called me on the phone. Ray, as tough a man as you'll ever meet, was crying. I knew instantly what that meant, but I had no idea how to respond.

Becky was born in San Pedro, Laguna and graduated from Colegio San Agustin (Biñan) in high school. She attended St. Paul College in Manila, and then transferred to the University of Santo Tomas, from which she graduated in 1999 with a degree in Sociology. She was a visionary, a force of nature, vibrant, and full of passion; nothing would interfere with her love for life, her buddies and her guitar. She also had a quiet, calming presence. She believed in family as passionately as she believed in music and art. And if she was your friend, she was really your friend. And, boy, she was lovely.

After school ended in the summer of 1998, Becky, Ray and I decided to spend our vacation driving up north, camping along the way. We drove across Pampanga, visited her relatives in Tarlac, my cousin in Baguio, and her uncle in La Union. Sometimes we would party at Ray's place, play music, sip coke and rum, cheap vodka, or whatever beverage we can afford. We were good kids who just liked to hang out.

When she died, fourteen years ago, some light seemed to go out in many lives and around many pleasures. I miss her smile. I miss the hour-long conversations about parrots and Sinatra. I miss her funky rendition of Ray of Light by Madonna. Today, I not only remember Rebecca, but I also celebrate what would have been his 36th birthday.

Rest in peace, Becky. Happiest of birthdays to you!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A story about a duck who likes being different

The hilarious "Duckie Duck" by Kate Toms is one of my recommendations for kids learning to read. My son got this book from his aunt in Calgary a few years ago and since then has become one of his favorites. First of all, this is not your average duck tale. This is a story about a fowl who, candidly, seems to have missed the memo on duck protocol. Most ducks quack, but Duckie whistles. Others love to swim, but not him — Duckie likes boat rides. While other water birds fly, he enjoys floating inside a hot air balloon. The rhyming text and delightful hand-stitched illustrations make the book visually appealing to children. So, if you're looking for a book to teach your quirky little kids to read, "Duckie Duck" is just perfect.

Why Walking is Basically Magic

I like walking. It's really convenient and no fancy equipment is required. You can do it anywhere, anytime. It's also good for my heart and can somehow untangle the chaotic mess that is my brain. It's meditative, allowing my thoughts to flow freely and my anxieties to melt away. Whether it's a short stroll through your neighborhood or a long vigorous hike in the countryside, this TED-Ed video explains why walking is lauded as a cure for everything from boredom to slightly-too-tight jeans.

Hey, Wanna Build a Guitar?

Six strings attached to a wooden frame, capable of producing simple tunes and intricate melodies. But before a guitar reaches the Royal Albert Hall or the dark corners of your bedroom, it undergoes a fascinating transformation at the hands of skilled craftspeople like Nick Branwell. Guitar making is more than just assembling pieces of wood and strings; it's about understanding the connection between materials, design, and sound. It's a craft that requires years of dedication and a deep passion for music. The result is an instrument that is not only beautiful to look at but also capable of producing music that can move and inspire.