A year after Liezl left us

ALBERT Martinez at the gathering

Has it really been a year already since my beloved kumare, Liezl Martinez, went to heaven? Thoughts of her seem so real that I can still hear her infectious laughter.

We commemorated Liezl’s first death anniversary last Sunday at her family’s home in Quezon City.

An intimate gathering of her family, closest friends and colleagues at the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, it was devoid of anything show biz.

Some of the celebs present were Pops Fernandez, Tweetie de Leon, Yayo Aguila, Gladys Reyes and Jackie Aquino. We all wore white, and each of us placed white roses beside the lilac urn containing Liezl’s ashes.

I was assigned to read the responsorial psalm and first reading during the Mass. After Fr. Armand Tangi blessed Liezl’s urn, a sumptuous Asian fusion dinner was served.

We then listened to Liezl’s favorite songs performed by MuzikQlass, including “It Might Be You,” “Through the Years,” “Close to You” and “I Will Be There.”

A video presentation of Liezl’s pictures followed. Pops, Yayo and I, along with other close friends, could not get enough of our “groufie” shots beside the urn of Liezl’s ashes.

Too bad that Liezl’s mom Amalia Fuentes (Mama Nena) could not make it because she is still recuperating.

I was glad to finally meet Roy Macam, the fiancé of my goddaughter (Liezl’s firstborn) Alyanna. They will get hitched in Amalfi, Italy, minus an entourage.

Snail mail

My mind went on flashback mode. I remembered the long letters Liezl and I used to send each other via snail mail when she was still based in San Francisco.

She usually enclosed pics of Alyanna who was then still a baby. I’m sure Liezl is smiling from up above, seeing how happy Alyanna and Roy are.

I got to chat with Liezl’s hubby, Albert Martinez. He said: “Dating is not in my agenda. I work from Monday to Saturday—my taping days for ‘Ang Probinsyano.’ I practically have no life … what more a love life?

“When our show ends, I will take a three-month vacation in the United States. I plan to drive from California to New York and visit all the places that Liezl and I used to frequent. Our three kids have their own lives already, so I am not requiring them to accompany me. But it’s an open invitation to them.

“I still cry when I think of Liezl. I dreamed of her thrice. She just wants me to know that she is happy where she is. I’m grateful that I’m busy with work. It serves as my therapy and outlet.”

The pain of losing Liezl will never vanish completely. Mama Nena once told my mom: “The lives of Liezl and Dolly seem scripted. They are really in cahoots.”

She said that because when Albert eloped with Liezl in the United States, I was one of the few who was privy to it. We also gave birth in the same year—I in September, and Liezl gave birth in December.

Even in Liezl’s absence, I can still feel her presence. Thank you, Kumareng Sweet Baby—that was what we fondly called each other—for the indelible memories!