April 8, 2020

I had a hard time getting up today. For some reason, I’m physically tired though I haven’t been doing much except working infront of my computer most days.

Anyway, I still had to get up. I made the mistake of reading an article published in the The New Yorker daily. It was written by a son of a 60+ year old MTA worker in New York who died of CoVid19. He didn’t get to see his dad in the hospital nor is he able to be with his mom who’s on quarantine with CoVid19 symptoms. It broke my heart. I cried and was depressed the whole day.

I have, on purpose, been trying to avoid listening, watching or reading the depressing news but for some reason I opened that one article. This CoVid19 is heartless, relentless, unforgiving.

Probably also why, I couldn’t write yesterday. I just didn’t have the energy. When I’m feeling down, my upper was going for a workout.

It is very hard not to be able to physically and rigorously exercise while sheltered-in-place. I’m not a runner. I enjoy working out in the gym. It affords me some time to myself, sweat out my frustrations sometimes. Now my only means of physical activity is my 6-minute HIIT exercises but it’s not really enough. The weather has been crappy the whole week, I can’t even take a walk.

This is probably how prison life is like. Ugh. I have to get out of this mood. I’m not used to being depressed!

April 9, 2020

Today I woke up with a bit more resolved. Took time to meditate, stretch and do my HIIT exercise. My usual light breakfast of bread toast topped with avocado slices and my coffee.

As I was about to begin my work day though, I checked to see my messages. Sadly, bad news. I just learned that a good friend, one of my ex-climbing buddies in the Philippines, succumbed to CoVid19 a few hours ago. Friends told me he was in the hospital and was really fighting tooth and nail for his life but alas, the virus won.

So today, this article is for Tito (means Uncle) Romy A. An ode to a mountain goat. Larger than life – figuratively and literally. He had a young heart.

I first met him in one of the weekend day climbs I joined with a group of friends. My very first attempt at mountaineering. No training, just the love for the outdoors. I remember we just nodded at each other, probably trying to place each other or mostly me, being too shy then. So on we started at the trail. I don’t know if you’ve done mountain climbing but at some point in the trail, depending on your fitness level, you will either be the lead, in the middle or the last, we call sweeper. Because, I was untrained and wasn’t really fit then, I found myself lagging behind everyone else. After a while, as I hear my heart pounding in my ears, someone spoke behind me and asked if I was ok. It was Tito Romy. He said, not to worry, I can rest for a few minutes but he’ll be with me and be the sweeper. He explained that he’ll be right behind me and I can take my time to reach the peak and he’ll follow my pace. Along the way, he would tell me stories about his climb experiences and the mountains he had conquered. We would rest from time to time but before I knew it, we reached the peak and all others were already waiting for us.

We enjoyed the view. It was a hot but clear day. Then the customary toast and lunch but while having one, Tito Romy in his usual sarcastic joking manner, called me out for not being fit and yet wanting to climb. I remember him saying that if I want to be hiking or climbing mountains, I have to be prepared. I have to train and be ready to carry my own load of provisions. He’s not the type to sugarcoat things. He’s not there to make you feel good, either. He’s there to tell you like it is with a bit more chili pepper to spike the putdown. Don’t compare yourself to him because he can outdo your achievements any time. He would always say, I’m not bragging, but…

I know he meant well with his constructive criticism the first time I met him. It’s just his style. If you can’t hack it, then you’re thin-skinned. I took him up on the challenge though. I distinctly remember that Monday after the climb, I enrolled in the gym. I was out to prove that I’m no sissy either!

Over the years, we’ve done more outdoor fun together. Socialized over many happy hours and got to know him and more friends over the course of time. He was always watching out for the young girls in the group. He made sure everyone had a ride home after a night out. He took me home one time and boy, did I not hear the end of it. I lived far from the city center and he always joked that to bring me home, one needed a passport!

Most of the people I’ve conquered mountains with are my lifelong friends. He was one of them. Though I didn’t get to see him more often the last few years, we stayed in touch through common friends.

Tito Romy, sad as I am to imagine you drawing your last breath without your love, Jessica and your kids by your side, I console myself with the thought that you have finally summited. You have reached the peak. I will miss your stories, your curses in between. Your adventures, full of life and details and maybe sometimes, exaggerations. I will miss your bon vivant, your young soul. You’re one of a kind.

Time now to rest, in peace and quietude. Cheers!