Ka Pido

Ka Pido is a quiet, kind man who cares for the little people.

His gentle voice bubbles and flows over you as he recounts his days in the Philippine Air Force. He is extremely organized, and even eats tilapia with gata and patis labo so neatly you'd think his plate was instantly washed right there on the dining table.

He appreciates every moment of your life--your achievements, your successes--even if you think he doesn't. Hindi naman sa pagmamayabang (Not to brag) but he is extremely proud of the people he loves very much--his family, his wife, his children.

He keeps each thread of your existence--a scrawled date on a box, a history of gifts, photos and slips of paper--and weaves it into a memory quilt that keeps you warm in the bewilderment of your grief.

He prefers Sa uulitin [til the next time] to Salamat [Thank You] because he looks forward to seeing you again.

2Lt. Ka Pido silently took to flight in the still, late afternoon air of Wednesday, the 12th of November.

Ama, sa uulitin...
[ First posted on 11/19/2003 by Manuel Viloria ]