Manong Guard

Who would ever think that a normal day would change in a matter of minutes and that the person you said "Hi" to today may be dead tomorrow?

It was almost 10:30 in the morning when I decided to get ready for school. Since it only took me around 15 minutes to get there I usually get up an hour before my class starts. Still undecided on whether I should get up or not, I lay in bed thinking of what I was going to wear that day. I never thought I’d have more things on my mind as the day progressed.

It was my mom who told me about what happened the day before. She was freshly out of the bathroom when she said, "Achie, may binaril na guard kahapon…patay. Tumawag kanina si Tito Eric mo. May binaril na guard sa South gate." The words "South Gate" immediately brought the image of "Manong Guard" to mind. He was a dark, short, and chubby man who was probably in his late thirties. I readily jumped out of bed and asked her if she knew which guard was killed. She told me she didn't.

I fervently prayed to God, "Please, don't let it be him. Huwag sana si manong…"

I quickly took a bath and got into a cab with my mom. I was praying all the way to school. As my mom told the cab driver to turn left at Taft Avenue, I braced myself and hoped to see Manong Guard at his usual position at the driveway. He wasn’t there. Instead I saw a much younger and obviously new guard. At that moment I knew it was Manong Guard who was killed.

I looked at my mom and saw that she was keeping herself from crying. She softly said, "Siya nga…wala na tayong magagawa. Let’s just pray for him and his family."

As I walked towards South Gate, I scanned the area and secretly hoped to get a glimpse of Manong. He was no where to be found. His death was so hard to absorb as I even saw him yesterday, on my way to McDonalds for breakfast and again as I made my way home at around 4 p.m. I couldn't understand why somebody would kill a person like Manong. He was very nice and was very efficient in doing his job. He would always help me cross the street near the Engineering gate, not halfway like the other guards. He would literally stop traffic all the way to the other end where I used to ride the FX for home.

He had a ready smile for me every time I greeted him "Good morning" or "Good afternoon". But the one gesture I remember him for is when he would hail a cab for me. As I would enter the cab, he would tell the driver "Tejeron, ingatan mo yan ha!" as if I were his daughter. And he did this for me many times.

As I recalled his kindness, I held back tears. Even if Manong was only a security guard, he was also a friend. Anybody who lost a friend would surely cry no matter where they are.

As I was walking through the corridors, I looked around and saw the rest of my schoolmates. They acted as if nothing bad happened the day before, as if they didn't know about the murder. Maybe they were all trying to hide what they really felt, just like me.

My hope is that whoever shot Manong Guard would realize that the man he killed was a far better person than he ever will be his whole life. Just because he owns a gun, it doesn't give him the right to play God.

To the people who saw what happened, I hope you help Manong Guard rest in peace by coming out to be a witness. Please do not allow the fall guy to take the blame. Help put the real criminal behind bars.

And to Manong Guard, I will surely remember you every time I walk pass the university’s South Gate, every time I ride a cab… and always. God bless you.

"God, sa langit .ingatan ninyo yan ha!"