Alejandro Buot Sr.

He wore the loudest of hawaiian shirts, even if it wasn't summer.
He cracked jokes to salesladies, even if he wasn't buying any.
He sucked on his 7 stars cigs like his life depended on it.
He bought us concert tickets, assuming we'd like it.
He came home one time w/a load of new school notebooks, but with Jigo Garcia splashed on them.
He drove us to our many Tagaytay weekends, for no special reason at all.
He made us believe that thunder was God bowling in the clouds.

Sweet in a very unsappy way.
Funny most of the time.
Memorable to many.
He was everything that a cool Lolo could ever be.

With his vigor and spunk, we thought we'd have him for much longer. But 19 years ago, an Aneurysm took him from us much too soon. Through the years, we can only console ourselves with these priceless memories of you, Papa. We can only smile back and thank God for giving you to us.

I am sure you're throwing some strikes up there, smoking your 7Stars
and maybe, laughing at how chubbier we've become.

Buotan ka gyud, Papa Al! We miss you!