Laughter in heaven: Remembering EJ

The wanted ad must have said that Heaven was in need of someone to run their Celestial Entertainment and Party Center, and some "headhunter" angel must have promised God that he’d come back with only the best. And that’s why we don’t have EJ Litton with us anymore. No more larger-than-life (both metaphorically and literally) purveyor of quality broad entertainment for Manila’s night scene, no more exuberant howl of a laugh that had his chinky eyes disappearing and reducing him to tears of mirth, no more incessant texts of jokes and risque humor, no more misty-eyed clinking of glasses as we toast to this or that endeavor or success, no more of any of that. And all we are left with is the echo of that raucous laugh, a painful reminder of just how much EJ was a fixture in the lives of all he "touched."

While thanks to a family connection (his lola on his mother’s side and my lola on my father’s side were sisters), EJ was a presence in my life from early on, it was really at Strumm’s to Stars to Dish that my contact with EJ became more than someone I’d bump into during extended family affairs, and he became a fixture of my social life and nights out. The special "touch" and magic that EJ conjured had to do with occupying a very unique niche – the arena where "chic meets the mainstream." He didn’t seek to be head of the most exclusive of places, as he knew volume does not necessarily follow that route. Instead, his dream was to always make the best in entertaining, whether in food or music, be something reachable and affordable to a broad cross-section of the public. Along with Rikki Dee, I was with EJ as he created and maintained his special baby – the Dish at Rockwell’s Power Plant. As managing directors, the three of us would spend countless hours together; and the fierce loyalty he would have for his managers and rank-and-file, and the fervor and commitment he devoted to the business was downright contagious.

As a person and friend, his sense of humor and embrace of life left the deepest impression. Back then, he would have people create an answering service for his cellphone – there would be a very sexy female voice amidst moans and sighs of ecstasy explaining that EJ was busy right now and couldn’t come to the phone, and could one just leave one’s name and number. Hilarious! There was always this naughty element to EJ’s humor, a perennial exploration of just how far he could go before you’d raise your eyebrows and hands, and amidst unstoppable laughter, cry "Enough!" That’s why it was such a blow to have found out that he had fallen victim to the "Big C" and that a supreme test of will would be at play within his persona. To his eternal credit, he maintained the bravest of faces in public, and was always ready to whip out a joke or two about his condition and "battle."

One of the last instances I saw EJ socially was at a recent British India fashion show at the Power Plant. EJ’s eldest daughter, Angela, and EJ’s wife, Tess, were among the real-life "models" assembled for this show, and watching from the wings, I couldn’t help but smile and get all choked up seeing the blissful pride on his face as he watched the two sashay down the catwalk. Tess is like one of the quietest, shyest persons you can meet, and I can only imagine how EJ had pleaded and cajoled, asking her to do this for him and Angela. And that is vintage "essence of EJ"; when he would set his mind to achieve, get, or enjoy something, he would utilize his bull-headed enthusiasm and dogged determination to have everyone needed "on the same page." From liquor to food suppliers, from emerging bands to superstar performers, from oldest of friends to briefest of acquaintances; once EJ had you nodding or smiling to his "vision," he knew that half the battle was over, and you were bound to be a "convert" in no time at all.

As sometimes happens with business partners, there are differences in opinions or policy that put a damper on the relationship. To my eternal regret, such misfortune had to occur. But there will always be a wistful remembering of how those countless heady days and nights together were truly times of hard, tedious work, yet exuberant fun. EJ will always be someone I’ll remember fondly. And it’s safe to say that the entertainment stakes up there in Heaven have now been "upped." If our strict Catholic education would leave us clueless about what "eternal happiness" could be like beyond being a concept, am certain that EJ will now be at the forefront of God’s team providing clearer direction and clarifying content.

As for us, we’re left with a world that’s a little less lively, a little less colorful, a little less EJ-ed; that’s how much of a stamp he would put on everything he would be involved in. We’ll miss you.