He would have turned 32 this year. But our beloved brother is frozen at age 23. He died a hero in Surigao del Norte on May 2, 2005. The last time I saw him was on October 2004, when he fetched me at the Manila Airport. He was very excited to meet with me then. We had a long talk about life, family, his ambitions and plans as a soldier, and about his girlfriend Deen.
Panoy wanted to spend more time with his sisters. Bonding time, he said since we were not able to really bond during our college days. I spent my college days in Miagao, Iloilo while he spent time sweating it out at PMA. I was her big sister, especially during his elementary years when most of our elder siblings were off to college in Iloilo. I was the one who would bring him to school. Who would attend the PTA meeting when Nanay can't attend. I was the one who would wash their dirty uniforms and help coach him when he joined a declamation contest.
