Rock Ed?s Gang Badoy pays tribute to the wonderful people we said goodbye to in 2009
THESE WERE THE PEOPLE we said goodbye to in 2009.

Fr. Jose Moises Fermin, SJ, 46 Priest, teacher and friend

Up until Jan. 5 of 2009, the world had someone named Fr. Joey. Having known him for over 20 years, there is really much to be said about my silent best friend. Recently, he advised me (and I pass this on to you, precious reader): ?Making amends is not always the most Christian thing to do. Sometimes ignoring could be the solution.? And he was correct. He taught me to keep only the necessary things and people in my life. I miss Joey fiercely, but the world was lucky to have him until the 5th day of this year.

Anabel Bosch, 32 Artist, poet and singer, friend

On the 10th day of 2009, a rock goddess named Anabel Bosch slipped away quietly into the night. She wrote on her blog, ?Birth, weddings, circumcisions, retirement parties, funerals. These are all rites of passage. But how about our mistakes, our f?ck-ups? Are these rites of passage as well? I think they are, too. But, naturally, I call them the ?wrongs of passage.? These are the mistakes we have made, but these mistakes shape us, and mark us, and in a way are just as important as any other rite of passage.?

Known for her spitfire performances and passion for searches, she blessed us with her company till Jan. 10. Her last blog entry ended with this line: ?So I will be looking for the right rite for me.? (Get to know Anabel through http://dizzychick76.multiply.com )

Dondi Ledesma, 50 Musician and producer

Renowned as one of the greatest bass players in the country, he was no less than a legend offstage. Eccentric and stubborn, he was also very gracious about sharing his knowledge with younger musicians. His influence is still felt throughout the music scene that was lucky to have had him until Feb. 24, 2009. His music, if not his person, continues on.

Francis Magalona, 44 Artist, musician and patriot

There is nothing more I can add to the literature about the Man from Manila. His music may have shaped many of my patriotic decisions as an adult. Most influential musicians I know claim to have danced to his music when they were in grade school. The last time I saw Francis, he asked me if I could come up with a Rock Ed project to keep his daughter Saab busy. Then he said, don?t tell her that this idea came from me. I nodded. Up until March 6 of this year, we not only had a true patriot but, more importantly, a good father. (Get to know Francis through http://francismagalona.multiply.com )

Je Bautista, 43 Musician and writer

Whether as a stalwart for local punk, being a member of Absolute Zero, Betrayed and Music Front, or as a tireless promoter and chronicler of the underground music scene, Je Bautista was first and foremost a music fan. He never compromised, but was never confined either to any particular genre. That said, the guy was a true punk in the best sense of the word. He was a close friend of both Erwin Romulo and Lourd de Veyra. In fact, he introduced them to each other. For that, I am grateful we had him until April 4. (Get to know the work of Je through http://trashradiomanila.blogspot.com )

Ka Rene, 52 Peasant leader

Having witnessed his fire from afar and his sense of humor up close, I knew Ka Rene as the man to beat when it came to the rights of farmers and peasant movements. He schooled himself on the Agrarian Reform Law and backed it up with physical strength and self-sacrifice. He became the symbol of the farmer?s struggle for many.

Grim and determined when necessary, but also fun and karaoke-loving when the occasion called for it, Ka Rene spearheaded the Sumilao Farmers March. I attribute to this man, perhaps the grandest gesture of belief in democracy. Someone shot Ka Rene in the dead of the night of June 5, a few meters from a piece of land he could now call his own. (Get to know Ka Rene?s struggle through http://sumilaomarch.multiply.com )

Susan Fernandez, 52 Artist and activist, friend

Once, while attending a UP function of militants from the First Quarter Storm, I overheard two distinguished elderly gentlemen confess they all had a crush on Susan Fernandez. I also noticed the old fogeys turn charming when she finally walked into the room. Sociology professor, writer, mother and artist among many other things, Susan served as one of the pillars of my world. She was undeniably one of the most beautiful Filipinas ever. She came into focus when she sang a song called, ?Babae Ka,? which she wrote at a time when that line was still used in a disparaging manner. Her song gave the line new meaning. We had her until July 2. Truly, she is one of the best of us.

Tara Santelices, 23 Poet, musician, filmmaker

I only met her once, ever so briefly, at Mag:Net Katipunan. Next time I heard about her, she was already lying unconscious at Medical City. The world lost an artist too early, yet again. A few months before she went into a coma, Tara quoted the poet Louise Gluck in her blog, ?I did not expect to survive, earth suppressing me. I didn?t expect to waken again, to feel in damp earth my body able to respond again, remembering after so long how to open again in the cold lightof earliest spring.?

The Tara I had come to know through her writing and work seemed to be an irrepressible being. She took on filmmaking, songwriting, the guitar, her friends, causes and life by the horns?she raised everything above her head and swung it around. Tara certainly knew what life was all about. At least we had her until July 27 of 2009. (Get to know Tara through http://tarxz.multiply.com/ )

Alexis Tioseco, 28 Film critic, journalist and friend

His name first came to my attention after my friend Lourd de Veyra insisted I meet this remarkable young man who wanted to save Philippine cinema. We were finally introduced one night in Eastwood. Eventually, through our mutual friend, Erwin, he joined the Rock Ed Radio team and constantly joined us on-air and through walks back to my living room.

He had been causing quite a stir, bringing into question the priorities of the Cinemalaya Film Festival, the neglect of the Film Development Council of the Philippines to create a National Film Archive and, most especially, the thinking that Carlo J. Caparas was ever fit to be a National Artist. His passing was truly a tragedy. His beloved Nika Bohinc, also a celebrated film critic, went with him that night, too.

One time over a light conversation, Alexis agreed he was to be one of the people to deliver my eulogy when that time came. It is my eternal heartbreak to have delivered one for him instead, and yet it was also my honor. However, much the independent film world felt lucky that he was with us until Sept. 1, that was not nearly enough time for us who knew and loved him. (Get to know Alexis more through http://alexistioseco.wordpress.com and www.criticine.com)

Eguid Family (Ariel, 43, Peng, 50, and their son Adrian, 16) Restaurateurs

They ran Breadbox, the food haven across Cafe Saguijo. When we sat there, we had comfort food?sinigang na salmon, soothing tea, good coffee?and were able to be present for the high-strung gigs we produced across the street. Breadbox became our respite along Guijo Street. If you?d gone by there at some point before Sept. 20, you?d remember how warm the light was from inside their restaurant; the business they ran felt like home for us. We had that space till then.

Alecks Pabico, 42 Family man, journalist and friend

This man balanced steel-grit journalism, a family life, a sense of humor and a gait that screamed reggae. Known more for his hard-hitting pieces about government thievery, Alecks? most sterling trait was his sense of humor. In his personal essay entitled, ?I am Woe, Man,? he says: ?I remember defying my father, a macho in the mold of Erap, who wanted me to engage a boy of my age in a fistfight because he had teased and made my younger sister cry. But it was just not in my nature to resort to a contest of valiant testosterones to resolve matters. Unfortunately, in those days, such hesitance was sure to mark one as being effeminate or even homosexual?something my father used to bring up to challenge my ?manliness.? But he always ended up frustrated, and I kept all the bones in my hands unbroken (the better to type out stories, mop the floor and stir the stew).?

Citizens of the world, we are lucky we had him until Oct. 7. (Get to know Alecks through http://blogs.gmanews.tv/alecks-pabico/)