I hope you permit me a post that is deeply personal. I found out yesterday about the passing of a dear friend. Mina Caliguia, the owner of Manila-based Art Farm, succumed to breast cancer on Sunday. This news came as a shock to me, and I spent the balance of yesterday thinking about her, our friendship, and and the gaping hole that remains.I met Mina more than a year ago as she, Imee Marcos, and others came to our office and aske for our support of their orgniazation CreaM - a group dedicated to the support of Filipino based art and entertainment. Since that first meeting I not only worked with Mina as a colllegue but got to know her better as a friend. Mina was was of the most generous and kind people I have met, and she even assisted me on several occasions with more personal matters. There were in fact times when I asked myself why she was being so generous, but I just realized it was just her nature.
We had been in contact recently, but the last few days I didn't receive any replies to my emails or SMS messages. I had subsequently learned she wasn't feeling well, but apparently Mina kept the news of her condition to herself. In fact I had txt'ed her just Sunday morning to see how she was and to offer my assistance if I could help. It was the least I could do given the help that she had given me recently.
Since learning about her passing yesterday, I have run the gamut of feelings. Shock, sadness, and even anger at the situation. I do not know the why she chose to keep everything to herself, and I do not yet know why she succumed so quickly. I guess I am angry over someone so young being taken from us, and maybe angry too at myself for being a bit selfish in knowing she won't be a part of my life anymore.
Coming to closure on the passing of a dear friend may still take a while...
