MANILA, Philippines — Death is inevitable. Still, people get scared by just the thought of it, while others are reluctant to talk about it because dying is a subject that can easily dampen anyone’s mood.
But at one point or another, contemplating death can lead us to make important changes in our lives. It can even make us question ourselves whether we are living our best life — one that’s based on our values or not.
The Kapamilya digital series Love in 40 Days presented to audiences a theme that touched on dying as its female lead character Jane (played by Loisa Andalio) met an untimely death and became a ghost.
Jane, then, arrived in a place, where other ghosts would converge in 40 days before they could cross over to the great beyond.
During the media gathering for the series finale, dubbed Pamatay na Ending, the stars were asked to share their thoughts on death, dying and the afterlife. Who among Loisa, Ronnie Alonte, Chie Filomeno, Ahron Villena, William Lorenzo and Lotlot de Leon are afraid to die?
Loisa revealed she almost gave up on life. “Ako, hindi po ako takot mamatay kasi dumaan na rin ako sa point na gusto ko na rin (mamatay),” began Loisa, her voice cracking with emotion. “Dumating ako sa point na hindi ko na kaya, na parang OK lang na wala ako, kasi ang hirap.”
But the 23-year-old actress learned to reject her “morbid” thoughts and continued to make every single day of her life a meaningful one.
“When I realized that maybe the Lord was just tapping me (and telling me), ‘That you are getting lost in your path,’ that enlightened me that I should not be weak because of other people. Dahil kung meron akong kasalanan o meron akong nagawang mali, sa sarili ko ‘yon, hindi dapat sa ibang tao,” said Loisa without going into detail the reason of her “dark thoughts.”
She also said that she prayed and said sorry to God. “Naniniwala po ako na malaki man o maliit na kasalanan, sa mata ng Diyos, iisa lang ‘yan. Once na tinanggap mo si Lord sa buhay mo, sigurado sa Heaven ka mapupunta,” she declared.
Ronnie, on the other hand, said that he is not afraid to die.
“Handa po ako kung kailan ‘yun dumating kasi isa sa rason ‘yun na kasi ako masaya ako tanggap ako na anytime ‘pag nawala ako alam ko sa langit ako pupunta.”
For her part, Chie said her view dwells more on the purpose of her life.
“Ano ‘yung impact na naibigay ko sa tao o nagawa ko ba ‘yung gusto ko magawa bago ako ‘makuha.’ I hope wherever I go — after everything that happened — is still worth it.”
Ahron, on the other hand, said, “I think I am ready, as long as I’ve done my role in this world, na nagawa ko ‘yung role ko as a son at nakatulong rin.”
Before his time comes, Ahron would wish for his mom to come home from Japan because they haven’t seen each other for a long time.
“Hindi ko rin alam saan ako pupunta pero kung saan ‘yung plano ni God, you’ll just accept,” the actor said.
William said he’s not afraid to die. His deep relationship with the Lord keeps the fear off his mind.
“I have constant communication with the Lord. I know He does not answer but He hears me. I’m very religious. Ganito lang ako mukhang g*g*, palatawa pero lagi kong kinakausap si God.”
William said he always gives thanks to God for reaching his age “because not everyone is as lucky as I am. ‘Yung iba 20s pa lang or late 20s but me, I’m still here, and God gave me three children. He allowed my two children to graduate, and I even have grandchildren.”
What he often prays for is for his youngest child to finish college and raise a beautiful family.
“Anytime, Lord, you can get me. I am not afraid to die because I’ve been through ups and downs in my life — nandyan ‘yung masaya ako, nagkaroon ako ng anxiety, nalungkot ako, so lahat kumpleto rekado ako,” he said.
William said that whatever difficulty that was given to him, God allowed it because He knew that he could handle it. “He would never give me something that I could not bear because He loves me,” he declared.
For Lotlot, she is leaving everything to God believing that “it is He who governs with infinite wisdom, and He knows what’s good for us. I pray more for my family, for my children and for the people who love me. Mas sa kanila ‘yung dasal ko na maging OK sila, for them to have a happy life.”