Tragic Death of a Young Boholano

Today, the year 2014 draws to a close. I will be devoting my blog to an unforgettable young man who was at the cusp of manhood when his life was snuffed out.

Ezekiel at the summer of his life

Here's a song for you Kiel

Today would have been the 19^th birthday of Ezekiel Germaine Sarmiento Quibir whose frail heart simply gave up one eventful day last December 8. Ekil or Kikil as friends and family call him is my cousin Catherine Sarmiento’s eldest son of three kids with the late Lito Quibir.

Ezekiel with Nikki, his brother's girlfriend

Ezekiel with younger brother Amik

Today at the Quibir household, there will be deafening silence instead of boisterous laughter & unbridled merrymaking. I cannot imagine how Cathy would survive and hurdle today’s celebrations as the New Year is welcomed. Misery and pain, as they say, are acutely exacerbated when contrasted with a joyous occasion.

Ezekiel with his mom Cathy & younger brother Amik

Ezekiel  with his friends

If there’s any consolation for those left behind by Ekil, there is comfort in knowing that he is already freed from physical pain and he is now up there with his Papa Lito in the Great Beyond where there is eternal sunshine and laughter.

Here are some photos that I took of him barely a month before he passed away. These were the test shots for a possible photographic modeling assignment. Who would have thought that these photos would turn out to be his funeral photographs?

Here’s some thoughts to ponder on as we remember Ekil on his birthday today

He Is Gone 

by David Harkin 

You can shed tears that he is gone Or you can smile because he has lived 

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left 

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him Or you can be full of the love that you shared  

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday 

You can remember him and only that he is gone Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on  

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.