"When We Were Your Age!"

January 20, 2007

Luis "Weslu" Guiang (b.1968 †.2007)

I was introduced to Weslu (and Nonong) a year ago in Saguijo.  I was with my boyfriend and sister. We were outside the bar when we saw him.  He knew my father, Jovi Abella(b. 1952 † 2003) and uncle, Rey Abella who like himself were musicians.  I was surprised to have seen his reaction when my boyfriend introduced me to him. Napaka masayahin niyang tao. His eyes were glowing, para bang natuwa siya talaga nakilala ka niya. He was also happy to know that my sister and I were daughters of  Jovi and nieces of Rey. Then he started to tell us stories of some of his experiences at the time when he was our age.  As he narrated them, he would tell us  " when we were your age" and we'd laugh as if we've known each other for a long time. It's not hard to be drawn to him. Ang ganda ng aura niya kasi. I told my tito I met Weslu and he can only say nice things about him: funny talaga yun at mabait na tao.  Isa lang ako sa maraming tao na napatawa niya.

I just saw him last Friday, January 12 at the Dakila Event, days before he passed away. When he saw me, he said, "uy, matagal na tayo di nagkita ah. Sa Saguijo pa. Kumusta na? . " I was touched because it's been a year since we last saw each other and he still remembered where we first met. I mean, sino ba naman ako diba para maalala niya yung pinaka maliit na detalye na yun. We had a good laugh that day and we joked around " when we were your age." Ang saya niya nun. May bago daw siya pantalon tulad ng pantalon na suot ni Bing (Austria). They had to leave before us so as he said goodbye, he told each and one he knew (while patting us on our backs) "good to see you back." When he was outside I shouted" when we were your age." He looked back and said "when we were your age" and laughed and pointed at me. I didn't know it was the last time that I'll see him

It was good to see him and to have known him. And though we only had two encounters, I will always remember him. Kaunti lang tao tulad ni Weslu.

You will be greatly missed.

 

*There will be a benefit gig for him tonight at Xaymaca, Timog and Tricias Bar along Regalado Ave. Please be there. I'm sure he'd really be happy to see all of you paying tribute to him.