Wednesday, August 3, 2022

EULOGIES WRITTEN UNDER A MANGO TREE II

 

2. Gerwin Capili

Jose Gerwin Capili was my friend, my kumpare and a brother in Freemasonry.

Last Monday, God called him home.

It was late in the afternoon, just around that time before the darkness set in and when the last beam of the glistening sun was fading... Gerwin breathe his last.

My heart broke into a million tiny pieces upon learning about his death, there were long gaps between my breaths and the throbs inside my chest turned into short and hollow pulsations…

First Meeting

It was in 2006 when I first met Gerwin. I was in the second degree of my travels in Freemasonry, and I was asked to render service in the fellowship for his third-degree conferral and raising which was practically the graduation rites for aspiring members of Freemasonry. Two weeks after that, we met again but this time it was my conferral and raising. He was already a Mason at that time, and he went there as a guest and as a witness to the rituals I had to go through.

The Mango Tree

In 2011 we started to see each other more often. I have a very small circle of close friends and we all bonded under a mango tree near his office for a considerable period. Every day for several years, we meet under that great old tree. Sometimes for only a few minutes and in some days, for hours and hours. Gerwin belonged there under that tree just like the rest of us. And even though we came from different walks of life, from different fields and from different backgrounds, that mango tree kept us together and cemented our bonds with stories we shared and the laughter that came with them.

Of all my friends under the mango tree, Gerwin was the level-headed one. He was the calmest of the lot and his counsel was sought by many including myself. He represented the best in all of us. He was the kindest and most gentle among us.

Clean, Squared and Upright

Other people, those who have no clue how kind and gentle Gerwin was, might have a different set of opinions about him. But that’s only because they were never given the privilege of spending time with him, of talking to him about life and witnessing how much he loved life, his wife Joy and his two sons. And obviously, Gerwin certainly has so much love to give. He overflows with love, and I was fortunate enough to be his friend… his brother.

In Masonic terms, Gerwin have always kept his lambskin apron clean, that his actions were always square, in society - he stood firm and upright, and he always spoke from his heart – as it is in the heart that we were all made Freemasons for the first time.

The Dreaded Sickness

He has been sick for quite some time now. Diabetes, that dreaded sickness.

In the past few years, he’s been in and out of the hospital. A couple of months ago, the doctors amputated his left leg just below the knee. It was devastating for us, and we can only imagine how it was for Gerwin because other than his relentless passion for good food, he loves to travel. Just two weeks ago, we were excited to hear that Gerwin finally got his prosthetic leg. It was a perfect fit. So perfect in fact, that some of other close friends started to make informal plans of trips and weekend vacations like we used to before the Covid Pandemic came. We went to Thailand and Vietnam and other local areas together with other friends and our spouses. A new leg meant a renewed opportunity to create more memories together. But now, all of that seemed impossible.

Without Gerwin

I know that life will never be the same without Gerwin. Never again will I ever have the chance to talk to him and hear his laughter. For this handful of friends, our lives will never be the same knowing that in the next vacation, the next trip, and the next time we hang out under the mango tree or in any other place – Gerwin won’t be there to join us. And because he is gone; the grass will be less green; the lights will be less bright and the laughter – less loud.

I will miss Gerwin for as long I live. I’ve always looked forward to growing old with all my friends and experience the grace of aging with them around me but now there is this deep sorrow knowing that Gerwin left our circle early… much too early. My heart will always long for his voice.

In this lifetime, I will never see my friend again and I will grieve this loss forever.

 

 .....................................................................................................................................................................



Photos:








































 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Sumabay sa Alimbukay