My Journey

The last time I saw him was in an ICU.  He was very ill yet he recognized each one of us gathered around his bed.  In his sickbed, he remained the very bubbly Atty Baban that I’ve known.  His loving wife and daughter had to remind him that it’s not good for him to talk for a long time.  It took a while before he was made to cut short the story he was telling us with the promise that we will set another visit schedule to see him and by then he can continue with his story…..I didn’t get to visit him anymore after that neither get to listen to the part two of his story. He has been called to join our Creator…

The friendship I found in Atty Demosthenes Baban is one that has a great impact in my character as a person.  I heard him speak with great love and pride about his family.  I saw there the essence of being a caring father and husband.  Plang-Plang, his personal assistant before, was treated like his own family.  To his colleagues at CMA, everybody was sprinkled with with generosity, from the daily supply of ilang-ilang flowers, green mangoes, bananas, redwine, ice cream, myrna’s cake, lechon, avon products, pearls, clothes.  He seemed to be drawing happiness from being this generous.  He was not only all out in giving away these small things, he was sharing his life by being of service to the students, to his friends and colleagues, and those in need.  Never did I hear him turn down someone.  He tries his best to do what he can to be of help.

I love listening to all his stories even if there are those I’ve heard for the nth time already. He was like breathing life in me because every time, I will end up with a realization how beautiful life is already is just listening and learning from someone like Atty Baban.  He inspired me to never give up the zest for life; that age should not be a hindrance in doing what you are passionate about.  He reminded me that there is no such thing as second best, just the BEST.  I really look up to his intelligence and eloquence. More than anything else, he moved me to be generous not for any other reason but simply because there is joy in sharing….

I still have have in my possession all the gifts he gave me on my birthdays.  If I’m not mistaken, we were able to celebrate our birthdays together once or twice at the CMA. I am March 30, he’s March 29.  Always, when I get hold of any of them, I can’t help but smile at as I recall the moments….

Atty Demosthenes Baban, a very good friend…a man with a big heart…a man with a beautiful story to tell….

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