Remembering Special People

I used to work with a guy, well, not really. He was a bit on the feminine side. He was actually my mentor when I was in college, then surprisingly when I started my job we ended up as colleagues.

Anyway, he was not the nicest of people. He was actually nasty, typical of his gender preference. It's almost as if gay guys are given that privilege to talk nasty to other people. Of course it is well-tolerated in the country where I come from. People think that they're entitled to it because they're different.

I used to hear other people criticize him for being tactless, brutally honest and just plain a**hole sometimes. But that was the way he was, even when I used to attend his Spanish class. He always had his way of awakening your fighting spirit, if you have one.

Anyway, I do remember him because he used to look at me, teased me and pretended to chase me, while I also pretended to run away. He used to say, "I'm gonna eat you" then he would put his fist close to his mouth as if he was about to take a bite on an apple. In a way, he was fond of me for some reason.

But what is clearly etched in my memory, is not how he used to play around me but how he was witty and funny at the same time. He always had the extra pizazz to spice up a boring day. He would come to work neat and fashionable and as soon as you threw compliments his way for the way he looked, his usual reply was, "I thought you never notice" and then he'd give you that raised eyebrow and that look that clearly said, "after all, you're not dumb as you look". That almost always awakens the villain in me, and I would always give back a look that depicted, "you're not as smart as I look, damn it!" with both hands on my hips. And with the exchanged glances we managed to smile with sarcasm at each other. Of course, we loved each other and we only did it for fun.

At some other times, he would be so blunt and almost egotistical after he would openly declare, "Only for those who can afford!" when we gave him a compliment on his nice shoes, nice pen, nice shirt, nice tie. Sometimes he would even finish it off by saying his favorite "I thought you never notice" line. It always drew laughter among us.

Brutal as he was, many people still loved him because he was such a generous guy. He never failed to share his food or gifts to us. He was even willing to pay for food for a village of hungry people like us, every time we strum on his kindness.

He was really fun, except for the few times when he got so explosive, and that happened when something was not done right in his department.

I remember him sharing to us his spiritual side, telling us how he never failed to utter his night time prayers, no matter how tired or drunk he was.

Above all, I remember him for his talent. He has a knack for Broadway shows. In fact he recreates the Broadway hits like Miss Saigon or Les Miserables for students to experience and to be exposed to, to develop their performing arts skills. He can dance really well. He can also project like a pro. He was really exemplary in his art and his creative skills. I'd liken him to Christopher Walken, who's also a Broadway talent, with the he way he walks, talks and stands tall.

He was also a very well-versed speech and communications instructor. I was a fan of him. He was highly intellectual. He was on top of his game. To this day, I'm still a fan of him.

I haven't seen or heard from him since 1998, but I still remember him so fondly especially when I catch myself borrowing his lines and his phrases while I try to look funny and intelligent at the same time.

Intelligent and funny people are diamonds in the rough. They don't come by that often. Supply is dangerously low.

I'm glad that I knew him. If I could put together my own memory wall, he definitely would occupy the center spot on that wall.