Please Pray for the soul of Kabatch Julio Firmalino

On the first day of our freshman year, Julio and I waited for the flag ceremony to start. I knew him because he and his sisters were boarders at my Lola's boarding house (beside Piltel) near NDD Girls Department. He was one of the tallest freshmen in our batch in the NDD Boys Department.

Nakatuluyan niya si Victoria Gonzaga, na kabatch din natin. Vickee is a relative of mine by affinity. Sila Julio at Vickee ang isa sa tatlong pares ng kabatch natin na nagkatuluyan (the other two being Ramon Arana & Paz Natividad and Virgilio Lauzon & Sonia Garcia). Julio and Vickee's high school romance started as a reverse balcony scene from Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet with Julio hurrying from school every afternoon and climbing to the balcony of Lola's boarding house to get a fleeting glimpse of Vickee coming out of the NDD Girls gate. On our junior year, they became officially (but secretly) high school sweethearts. Their love for each other stood the test of time and other trials. Then came the final test.

This morning (Oct. 30), Julio was shot by an unknown assailant while he was on duty at his field station in Dole Philippines. Nadala pa siya sa hospital pero hindi na siya nag-survive. Vickee was inconsolable upon learning of Julio's death; however, her heart is kept warm by the loving years they shared for each other and their children and grandchildren. For Vickee goes our prayers for strength of faith - faith in their love and God.

Go with God, Kabatch Julio. May His eternal light shine upon you. We will miss you dearly.

(For those who would like to personally give their condolences to Vickee, you may call 0915-6546485)