We are all born not knowing and not thinking we are immortal. But by
some divine plan, many come to know and to think they are immortal. Yet, many
also learn to think they are only mortal and that there is nothing more to life
than what is visible. Any hopes or wishes to prolong the joys, and less so the pains
of life, fall in the realm of imagination.
Blessed, however, are those who live and eventually face death knowing
and thinking they are, in truth, immortal.
Yes, there is some irony in the last statement. Death seems to close
all arguments against immortality or eternal life. But that is true only for those
who never heard of a resurrection. Christians stand unique in the whole of
human history as people who rejoice and even suffer because of that assurance.
For unless we come face to face with our own mortality, we will not try
to hold on to the possibility or the certainty of eternal life. Seeing how some
people face their own mortality inspires others to live life with greater
courage and hope.
This is the great lesson one derives from having known Joel Castillo,
whose struggle with cancer, brought about changes not only in his own life but
also among those who knew him so well. A few months before learning he had cancer,
he was still happily going about his role as father, as husband and as partner
to Rose Tuazon- Castillo in their thriving LGO Company and social-outreach
projects. One can sense the driving enthusiasm he had for adventure and
fellowship with his beloved children, close siblings and intimate friends.
It seemed Joel had not enough time to savor the joy of living as well
as the opportunity to spread that joy around to as many people as he could. Yet,
he also had his missteps, as is always the case when we go about walking among many
people. We all live in the middle of everything else; and whether we like it or
not, we have to find the balance and strive to preserve our own identity.
Joel did achieve his own identity. Having gone through the difficult phase
of proving who he was and what he could do, he eventually showed the kind of
heart he had. Take, for instance, a time when some parents of their IROG scholarship program beneficiaries
were complaining about not receiving what they expected beyond what had been
promised. He said in frustration, “Some people are simply not satisfied with a
little blessing and even expect you to give them more; and if you don’t, they
get angry. But that is nothing compared to the joy of helping people in
general.”
Indeed, such petty issues did not faze Joel and Rose from pursuing
their noble task of blessing others through their good hearts. In the end, they
found a way of spreading cheer and material assistance to many more people.
Yet, the time would come when the challenge of proving one’s identity
goes beyond what you can do in life and into what life does to you. In Joel’s
case, it was his ultimate battle with sickness. The many therapies and blood
transfusions took their toll on his battered body. Yet, in spite of it all, his
spirit remained indomitable. He put up a good fight. His ever-warm smile and
firm voice never failed to prove it was the same old Joel who was in control of
his path to his own destiny.
And so, even in his own departure from among our midst, he left behind
his wishes for his family, for his friends and for himself – wishes which those
of us who remain now have the opportunity to accomplish not just for him but
also for those he treasured in life.
And so, when we bade farewell to Joel, the moment was made less tragic
as heaven itself commiserated and poured both refreshing rain and renewing
sunshine to celebrate his life with us. For such is mortal life: light and
shadow, joy and pain, triumph and failure, life and death. But in the end,
immortal life will prevail because faith in Jesus Christ gives us the victory.
From what we heard about his last moments, Joel made his peace with His
Lord and humbly surrendered his fate into His hands. Young as he was in his
short journey upon this Earth, his exemplary influence upon those who knew him
well will remain and live on as his lasting legacy to the future generation.
Rose Tuazon-Castillo, the bereaved wife of Joel, extends her deep
gratitude to those who had provided support for Joel’s financial, medical and
emotional needs during his treatment. Knowing there were many people who joined
them during the campaign for Joel’s recovery made the pain and anguish much
more bearable.
And even now, for Rose, Jared, Jansen and Justin and Joel’s extended
family, the loss of a beloved is greatly assuaged by the many souls who expressed
how they were touched by Joel’s life.
Farewell, Joel: Till we meet
again in that perfect place in our perfect form – spirit and body.
