MANILA, Philippines?I finally got to talk to my BFF Cesar Montano and his lovely wife, Sunshine, the night before Buboy?s son Angelo was cremated in Arlington. Though still obviously grieving, Buboy tried to stay cheerful during the wake. He kept offering me all kinds of snacks, even teased if I wanted wine.

?He is keeping a brave front but bigla-bigla siyang humahagulgol,? said Shine. ?I?ve never seen him this way. I also have to stay strong for him and our kids.?

To lighten the mood a bit, I chided Buboy. ?You should have taught Angelo that there are many fishes in the ocean so that, at such a young age, he probably wouldn?t have been so in love with his girlfriend.?

Emotional abuse

But who are we to question Angelo?s blind devotion? Too bad, though, that loving too much killed him.

As a close friend of the family, I would rather not divulge the story behind Angelo?s untimely demise. I don?t want to add to the pain and anguish that the Montanos/Manhilots are going through.

Suffice it to say that Angelo, such a kind-hearted guy, was emotionally abused. He had come from his girlfriend?s birthday party the night that he died. Their petty lovers? quarrel on the phone got out of hand. Perhaps if the girl hadn?t hung up on him, Angelo would still be alive.

I don?t know how the girl can live with the thought of the tragic death of Angelo, who loved her much too much. I heard she had the gall to activate Angelo?s Facebook account, which his family already erased.

That girl should be taught what respect and delicadeza means. She ought to be thankful that the Montanos were kind enough to let her see Angelo for the last time while he was being cleaned up despite how shabbily she treated him.

If she didn?t realize the value of Angelo?s love in his presence, hopefully in his absence, she will.

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I got misty-eyed when Buboy slipped a ?Montano Ako? baller bracelet on my wrist while saying, ?I know Angelo didn?t want to die yet because he was wearing a bracelet like this, which means he was committed to my campaign and my vision. Ang dami naming plano at pangarap together. But I know he will always be with me in spirit.?

As a daily reminder of that, Buboy now wears the baller bracelet and also the anklet that Angelo was wearing at the time of his death. It was so heartwarming to see Buboy?s swollen eyes light up as he reminisced about happy times with Angelo.

?We both loved playing pranks on each other,? the proud dad recalled. ?When he was in grade school, I told him that his teacher informed me that they should all wear a Santa Claus costume to their Christmas party. So I gave him money to buy such a costume. He was so surprised and dyahe when he got to the party kasi siya lang naka-costume. Alaskado siya ng classmates nya.

?Another time pinag-tripan ko lang siya. Kunwari galit ako kasi parati na lang rugged ang suot niya. I told him mag coat and tie tayong dalawa kasi may event tayong pupuntahan. So bihis naman siya agad, only to find out na sa simpleng resto lang kami magdi-dinner.?

Shine also has fond memories of her stepson. ?At the height of my misunderstanding with Buboy?s sis before, never siya kumampi o kumalaban. He treated me like his own mom the same way that I loved him like my own. Konting atraso lang nya, magso sorry agad.

?I can?t stop laughing when I remember the time Buboy did a striptease in our bedroom during my birthday. Tawa nang tawa si Angelo when his dad was dancing in front of him na parang macho dancer. Minsan naman nag-habito silang mag-ama at tinakot ako while I was asleep. Our house will never be the same without Angelo.?

Even if Buboy and Shine can no longer have such moments with Angelo, may they take comfort in the thought that they can always recapture the memories in their heart. There is truly love even after death. In time, their grief will turn into joy when they reach the point of remembering (Angelo) minus the pain.

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Don?t miss Tita Cristy Fermin?s appearance on TV5?s ?Juicy? at 11:45 a.m. today. She unleashed quite a mouthful about Kris Aquino. Hmm... will a new Word War erupt?

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Jolo Revilla reacted to my item about his ex, Lovi Poe, asking him to buy her jewelry and condo stuff. His message read: ?Kusang loob ko po binigay kay Lovi ang mga gifts na iyon. Di n?ya hiningi sa akin.?

Ah! Such selfless love is what Holy Week is all about.

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Calling kids aged 5-10. Join Sta. Lucia Mall?s ?My Easter EGGstravaganza,? an on-the-spot egg decorating contest on April 4, 3 p.m. at the Entertainment Center Phase 3. Get an entry form at the Customer Service Booth at ground level phase 3. Attach a P200 single receipt from Planet Toys dated March 15 to 31, with photocopy of the child?s birth certificate or valid ID with birth date. Call 681-5401 local 109.

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