by Nicasio Angelo Agustin
(A tribute to a friend)
To believers of feng shui, the tiger symbolizes cunning, courage and graceful strength. And for me, there is no better embodiment of these traits than one of my closest friends who was born in the year of the tiger.
I met him ten years ago when I first came to work in Davao. Despite his slim build and unassuming appearance, he commanded a presence that would have been intimidating to most people. After eight years of working with him, I realized that my first impression was true: he was an intimidating presence with his perennial poker face and serious demeanor. Spurred by uncompromising standards and a rigid work ethic, he was a strict boss to his staff.
I remember that on extremely hectic days, he would scowl at me when we passed each other in the office corridors. This is actually very funny, because I was his boss. Nevertheless, I appreciated the way he took his work very seriously. From 2005 to 2007, he peacefully and successfully negotiated the relocation of informal settlers in the proposed site of our permanent building. He untangled the paperwork associated with the bidding and awarding process for the project, and tirelessly complied with the numerous and stringent requirements of the DBM and COA. He monitored the progress of construction daily to ensure that it would be completed on time and on budget. So if you pass by SPED Bangkal and see the beautiful NEDA XI building behind it, that is one concrete testament to what his hard work had done.
But there was another side to this tiger, a gentler, caring side. At the end of a work day, it was as if he took this as a go-signal to shed his work persona and transform into somebody you would actually look forward to sharing stories and a few drinks with. Mostly, we would talk about simple things – our hobbies, work and plans for the near future.
What struck me, though, was the sincere concern he showed for everyone – especially our drivers, utility workers, security guards and even the construction workers. He demonstrated that he cared for them, not by doing a one-time magnanimous act of charity, but by finding the time to be with them in a more relaxed setting after office hours – playing ping-pong or having a simple conversation about the day. It were small but consistent things like that that endeared him to me and everyone else.
In early 2009, my friend got diagnosed with stage four cancer and was told by his doctors he would be lucky to survive another three months. I was devastated to hear the bad news, but was taken aback by the steely resolve I saw in his eyes when he told me he would get well. As if to prove the point, he continued to report for work and do well in his job even after the diagnosis. Lesser mortals would have retreated.
The tiger fought back and he fought a good fight. Armed by impassioned research and determination, he passed the three-month deadline and lived well beyond it, almost two years! Three months ago, he told me that he wanted to be free from the afflictions of his sickness and walk again, so that he could inspire people to live in faith, in service to their Creator. He wanted to write about his own journey and the realizations he had – things, he said, that were not in his consciousness when he was still the able-bodied, intimidating but caring man he was just two years back. I would visit him from time to time whenever I was in Davao, and once, when he told me he would make a full recovery, I believed him. I really did.
As I was getting ready to work today (January 22, 2011), I received a text message. Teph had passed away.
“Pare, I just want to tell you that the courage that you showed when faced with life’s greatest questions has been a guiding star in my own life – the importance of little, consistent and sincere gestures, taking the reins and being responsible, and what it really means to be a friend. I died a little when you did. But you helped me to know, once again, what it means to live. Farewell, my most esteemed and ever loyal friend!”
I would like to request our readers to pray for the eternal repose of the soul of Mr. Stephen “Teph” Basilio, Operations Division Chief of NEDA Region XI, who peacefully passed away on January 22, 2011 at 9AM. May his soul rest in peace.
