Toril, Davao City

I grew up in this place. Technically, not within but just around its outskirts. Geographically this is the southern most part of the city. The Las Pinas of Metro Manila. But image wise, Toril is New York's Bronx- the hood. Unruly classes clash in this area. In a peaceful city where laws are mostly obeyed, Toril has produced a number of law offenders. Yes, we are THAT notorious place of the city. And yes, I have a brother who's a picture of a person who grew up in this place, tough but vulnerable most of the time, a survivor that has been to at his lowest point, friends who can drink gallons of alcohol, and like most of the young men who grew up in our area- still undergrads who still can't figure out where their life is going. 

It's tough out there. I think mostly for young men who are caught up in the same place. Trying to move out but still can't let go of the place they've been accustomed too. But we're lucky to have the BEST parents in the world. That no matter how many times we stumble, they're always there behind us. That's the reason we've survived. That's the reason why we are surviving- strong family foundation.

But unluckily, some don't. :'( A friend died last weekend. The news was devastating. More so, when I knew that a jealous boyfriend asked a bunch of young men to beat him up for a price. Then a locally made gun finished his life. That easy. A life of a triathlete, architect, friend, brother. 

My heart is screaming for justice. I pray to God for my friend's soul. 

And to the one who committed the crime...

You took a life of a good person

Because of jealousy you ended a life of a human being

An architect whose helping his family

A person who was still recovering from a death of a brother

A friend who inspires others

Sportsman who's promoting whatever sports so that life in our cruel place could be a lot better- in his own way

Yes, you deserve that worst feeling in your heart today.(if you ever feel guilt)

Yes, one way or another you'll have to pay for what you did.

And yes, for the rest of your life, you carry around your conscience that you took a man's life and not even your own life is worth paying for it.

Lee and I were not as tight as friends but we were; and like most of his friends we still can't believe he's gone just like that. :(