Two weeks have passed since I arrived at here at Barangay Kanduhawan and still no sign of the elusive sigbin. I am tempted to pack up and leave, but because too much energy and resources have already been spent in such a relatively short period of time, it would certainly be unfair to everyone concerned should I decide to pull the plug on this expedition. And of course, I am still clinging to the hope that I will catch a sigbin soon. I am counting on it.  

I will see you in a few days or weeks, my friend. Until then, please extend my warmest regards to Sonya. And please take care of each other.

Love,

Benjie

******

News Article from the Metro Cebu Enquirer:

Provincial News

Hikers discover dead body in ravine

By Danny Chung, Provincial Correspondent, Metro Cebu Enquirer

BARANGAY KANDUHAWAN, NALUMBUSAN, CEBU --  A group of hikers found a dead body in a ravine beside a river Saturday, causing a stir in a neighborhood that  has been known for its peacefulness.

The group found the man's dirty body near the river. It was in a ravine, hidden from plain view by a clump of trees near the house of a resident, Felipe Carpio. Carpio, a kaingin farmer, has been summoned by police for questioning. Initial interviews, however, have failed to produce any leads. Carpio has denied seeing anything suspicious prior to the discovery of the body. He has also denied recognizing the owner of the dead body.

At least a dozen Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) from the Cebu PNP investigated the scene for more than three hours after the group reported finding the body, shortly before 5:25 p.m.

Police Sgt. Jose Corbo said investigators believe the body, a 27-year-old man, had been there for more than 48 hours.

Medico-legal officials have not yet determined the cause of death, but "there seems to be no signs of foul play," Corbo said. Investigators have not ruled out anything in the early stages of the ongoing investigation.

The man, who is believed to be a city-dweller visiting from Cebu City, has been identified, but his name is not being released by authorities pending family notification.

Regardless of the nature of the man's death, the dead body concerned local barangay officials.

"For as long as I can remember, we haven't had a death here involving visitors," said Ferdie Vertudes, barangay captain. "I have instructed my tanods to cooperate with the police so we can solve this case as soon as possible."

However, he recalls at least five deaths to local residents, all due to natural causes, in the past two decades.

The investigation has attracted numerous residents in the area, who all expressed concern upon hearing the news of a dead body.

Residents have reported hearing weird cries by a wild animal in the area several months before the dead body was found.

Investigators have refused to comment when asked if they believe a wild animal had been responsible for the man's death.

******

Sonya Mendez's latest online journal entry (http://smendez.wordpress.com):

Celebrating Death

When my grandfather from my mother's side died years ago, he was cremated and his remains were brought back to his hometown in Bohol. My grandfather was already an American citizen at that time—he and my grandmother in fact had been living in the US with their green cards for several years already until the time of his death– but his children naturally decided that his final resting place should still be the land of his birth.

I remember that we immediately left for Bohol shortly after hearing the sad news. My grandfather was quite fond of me and my siblings when we were kids so I have vivid memories of him when he and my grandmother used to visit us here in Cebu. I sorely missed him. We all missed him. But what surprised me when we arrived in Negros was that the mood wasn't all that somber. I was re-acquainted with relatives I've hardly seen in years. There was rejoicing, as everyone celebrated the good life lived by my grandfather. One good thing that can be said about funerals is that they bring the whole clan together.

Or in this case, the whole friends together.

Two weeks ago I was in Manila with close friends and coworkers for the funeral of Jake. He was felled by AIDS, after an agonizing but hard-fought battle. It was a strange feeling because only nine months before that, we also attended Benjie's funeral. I was by Jake's bedside with Rodel at the Medical City hospital. That was the last time I saw him alive. By then he was only a shell of his former self: gaunt, emaciated, and severely weakened, his body ravaged by the incurable disease. I brought him gifts from my parents– a check from my father to help pay the mounting hospital bill, and a bead bracelet and prayer booklets from my mother. "Thank your mom and dad for me." He gratefully whispered. He could barely talk. And in his condition, I could barely look at him.

I visited Jake in the hospital a couple more times after that during my week-long stay in Manila. At first the prognosis was good, thanks to an experimental treatment culled from a mysterious package sent by Benjie before his death.

But as quickly as he had recovered, Jake was rushed to the ICU again. He had water in his lungs. He had pneumonia, a complication arising from his disease. The doctor said pneumonia and other pulmonary infections were a common cause of death for AIDS victims. It was all downhill after that.

When Rodel broke the news of Jake's death to me through text message, I was surprised that I didn't cry at all. But when at last I saw him lying in a coffin, when it finally hit me that our friend would never be with us again, and when I realized that gatherings and drinking sessions would never again be the same without him, the tears flowed.

We greeted Jake's death with mourning and grief. But as with my grandfather's death years ago, there was also rejoicing. I was re-acquainted with friends I've hardly seen in years. We mourned the death of a loved one; we celebrated the good life lived by a loved one.

Perhaps it was not AIDS at all that killed Jake. I have a suspicion that what crushed his spirits and his will to live was the news of Benjie's death several months before. I hope that wherever Jake and Benjie are right now, they are happy.

One good thing that can be said about funerals is that they bring friends together. One good thing that can be said about Jake's and Benjie's passing is that they are loved and that they will be remembered.

Always.