A few days ago, I thought I lost one of the most very special people I've had in my whole life. I had feelers that that time would come, but I chose to ignore it. And then it almost happened. Thank God for the word "almost".

I was asleep for around less than 4 hours after I arrived from Baguio. My body was already drained, my voice already hoarse, and temperature was already rising. These uncomfortable feelings made me half-awake sometimes but I was able to put myself again in slumber. 7a.m. One of my mobile phones rang. On the first ring, I saw the name of my dad's friend. Thinking that the person calling didn't know that I already have my dad's number, I didn't bother taking the call. A 2nd ring came and I let it rang as much as it wanted but it never stopped. Finally answered the phone. It was my dad's friend from the gym... and then the words came out I've never expected to hear - "Your dad is in the Emergency Room of Makati Medical Center. He collapsed" I hung up and immediately found my mom in their bathroom. My mom was surprised by the news and we both dressed-up then drove to the hospital. "Your dad is in the Emergency Room..." kept on ringing my head. At the same time, the visions of my dad being dead kept on disturbing my already tired brain. I kept on hoping that he'll be alright. But the sight I saw in the Emergency Room was a totally different situation.

I arrived at the ER and saw my dad, with all the cables attached to his body and one big tube inserted to his mouth. I wanted to know what's going on, but I stayed with my dad and tried to talk to him. I realized he was unconcious and the machine attached to him was the one that helps him stay alive. He doesn't have oxygen in his brain. My dad's fitness trainers were there and I was so thankful that they brought my dad to the hospital. They explained that he was working on the threadmill when he fell. Good thing one of the fitness trainers were there and was able to catch him. My dad then went to the men's room and another trainer accompanied him there. After my dad relieved himself, he fell again the second time and he was knocked out. He was brought to the nearby Makati Medical Center (which is just around 2-4 minutes away from the gym by foot) where he was already brain-dead for around 2-4 minutes. I was hoping that somebody would tell me that my father's gonna be alright. No one did, I thought they were just trying to lower down our expectations but it seems to me that due to my father's condition they were not really sure if... he's going to... survive...

Already in tears, I turned back to my father. I kept on stroking his hair, wiping off the cold sweat from his face, and saying prayers. The vision of my dad being dead resonated harder and harder, this time a new scene came out about myself delivering a Eulogy on his funeral. I fought off these visions and kept on saying prayers, yet a part of me is trying to push me into accepting the fact that my father will be gone. I don't want that to happen and I told him that I want him to see me have a family. I want him to see my girlfriend as my wife with our children. And I also said something to him which I wished I've told him before. "I love you dad, and I'm sorry for disappointing you" I knew he really wanted to be close to me but there were certain things that we have disagreed on before. It really hurt me back then. But this hurts more, a lot more. And then I cried like there was no tomorrow.

Sometime later, my dad's eyes opened. There's hope! I kept on telling him to be strong and have faith in God. My mom followed and my brother also came and told him to relax. He became restless. His arms and legs kept on moving left and right but I know this is a good sign. It means that he's not paralyzed. I could feel the strength of his arm although I know he feels very uncomfortable because of the tubes and cables that are attached to his body.

Despite of my weak condition, I mustered enough strength to go up to the Chapel in the 9th Floor. I let it all out. I begged for my father's life. I told the Lord that my father is a very good man, and he deserves to live. He is loved by everyone, and even if I wasn't able to show much for the past several years, I want to have this chance again to make it right this time.

He was transferred to the ICU before lunch time and I didn't notice that I was already burning with fever. I restrained myself from entering the ICU and rested outside. After unknowingly sleeping for around 2 hours, I went home to rest for the whole time. That evening, my mom told me that it might take 3-4 days for my dad to recover his senses.

I went to the hospital the next morning with my sis-in-law and nieces. What I saw is what I call a miracle. My dad is already awake, this time his eyes are not rolling anywhere. His eyes are fixed on me. I quickly went to his bedside and held him. "Dad?" My dad smiled, even if he has the tube in his mouth. He smiled and he nodded. I couldn't believe what I saw! I embraced him and I never stopped saying thank you to the Lord. I was so happy I never let go of him for the next several minutes! It was so unbelievable that he was able to recover beyond everyone's expectations. He can't wait to take the tube off his mouth but we were told it will be removed later that afternoon.

For the next few days, he recovered as if nothing happened to him. Some would think he only had a fever and was hospitalized. He was pretty strong, and he looked younger this time. Though his memory was far from being good, at least he was not paralyzed.

It has been said a lot of times that you'll never realize how much you love the person unless he goes away. I can say I was fortunate that God gave my father and all of us who loved him a second chance, and now I learned to love my parents a lot more, love that they truly deserved from me.