Sorry it took me awhile to finish my story, I think Charing and I drank more than 8cups of coffee that day :-) Anyway, let's finish it.
After the devastating Katrina that I was so lucky to get Ikoy’s first hand experienced, I didn’t hear from him until I believe after 6months or so. And after so long, his next news is another bad news…he was caught by the immigration officer and that he is facing deportation charges and his health was really deteriorating, aside from his diabetes, he is suffering from another sickness that is just wearing him down. He said he cant go to the hospital because its too expensive. But he said there were people that are very kind to help him and thats what he was thankful about. That was the last time I heard from him. I tried calling him again but his cellphone number has changed.
Then last November, I received a voice mail from a Filipina asking me if I'm related to Ikoy and to return her call. I called her and told her that I'm not related to Ikoy but his a good friend of mine back in Palau. She said Ikoy passed away and that they found my number in the phonebook of his cellphone. I did what I can to contact his relatives in Palau. The Filipina can't shipped his remains because he was undocumented and his passport was expired. She had to get a travel document and other release papers from the hospital, the state and the Philippine Embassy. I can imagine the times she spent and paper works she has to deal with just to send his remains back home. I admire that Filipina, she did all she can to send Ikoy's ashes back to his family, she's not even related to him. It took almost two months before Nanay Susan (Ikoy's Mom) received his ashes through FedEx, it was sad but atleast his home.
The thing I will never forget about him was he always have the smile and his sweet laugh that inspite of all the hardship his been through, he always keeps the positive spirit in him. He is a true survivor, he will never give up…’till he cant anymore.
To you my dear friend….IKOY, rest in peace and know in your heart, somewhere along your life journey you’ve touched other people’s heart (I’m one of them), I wish we’ve seen each other before you said goodbye to the physical world. May you continue your training and maybe next life time we will meet again my friend.
Charing made a good point when she said 'I wonder how many more Ikoy are here in the U.S., undocumented, working hard, getting paid under the table and will be sent home in a box through FedEx or other form of postal service.?'
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