Jas: Life and Friendship
The “El Presidente”.
I received the sad news that my batch mate Jas passed away after battling with the Big “C” for almost three years.
Jas, or “El Presidente” as I fondly call him is someone who has significantly made a mark in my Masters in Management journey. To me he is more than just a classmate, but a brother at heart.
I met him in 2017 through the Masters in Management midyear program in the UPLB. We were batch mates. He left an impression of being “mayabang” to me. Not that he is, but really, he’s so opinionated. Like a big brother at home who would frequently ask you things and challenge you about certain topics for the sole purpose of discussion and of course, annoys you when he tries to insist his point.
My ever first case study was with him. You see, I am not from UP and case study is a new world to me. Like what the heck, I’ve been working for 10 years already and have graduated from my Bachelor’s degree without being introduced with such. Well, he has been very helpful. Again, someone that would challenge your way of thinking and would happily pop that bubble when you have that train of thoughts running in your mind already.
He knew where I work and he “sometimes” frequent in the area. But I never saw him there. He would just randomly send me photos about our facilities that needs to be addressed. When there was an issue about our pay parking, he’s one of the few that asked me about it and checked on me because he saw those bashing from the social media. Not that it was directed to me personally, but he knew perhaps that the issue might get into my nerves, being in operations.
On subjects where we need to debate and defend our position, he always got our back. A critical thinker that he is, but a softie too.
Oh, there’s this one time that the group have to go to our field trip and we have to do carpool. I don’t really know if it’s just me, or we all kind of awkward taking the ride with him. But he offered and insisted that we join him. Well, he doesn’t want anyone to sit on the passenger seat though, because per him “it is only his wife who gets to seat in the front”.
That’s when I look at him differently. That apart from being the mayabang ang dating, he’s someone warm and nice.
Kapatid, your life may have been short-lived but you were able to fulfil it way God wants you to.
You’re a good person, a loving husband and a doting dad to your angels. I hope you were able to let your li’l girl listen to the song of Ebe Dancel.
See you in the next lifetime. Then we could continue being good friends. Say regards to Nikko for us, your 2017MMBM family. There you two can start doing cases again, we’ll just have to discuss and debate on it when it’s our time. Until then, virtual hugs to heaven!
