Image: Facebook/Edu Manzano
Edu Manzano recently took to social media and shared a video of the Cruz family, led by actor Tirso Cruz III, performing a dance in memory of son Teejay, who succumbed to lymphatic cancer last Nov. 21.
The Cruz family chose to remember Teejay the way he would have wanted them to: a celebration of life through dancing—and to his favorite song, “Every Praise” by Hezekiah Walker, no less. In Manzano’s post, family members of Teejay can be seen dancing during his wake while his body lay in a casket behind.
“A wonderful family lost a member at the tender age of 37,” wrote Manzano on Nov. 26. “I join them as they celebrate his life.”
It was a joyous dance that spotlighted the good times over the bad, one that focused on the fact that Teejay is no longer suffering and is now in the hands of the Lord. It seems, however, that some netizens did not seem to think the same, as they took to Manzano’s post wherein they gave their opinion regarding the dance tribute.
“Christian din ako and I agree na at peace na ang mahal nila sa buhay to give praise to God,” wrote a certain Liza (@liza_aragon). “Pero marami namang praise songs na hindi kailangang magsasayaw, yung mellow to show na they are also mourning…”
Manzano replied to the netizen, telling her that the family for sure has shed many tears over Teejay. However, it is still their call over how to celebrate Teejay’s beautiful life.
“@liza_aragon The family I’m sure has cried much and felt much mula ng ma-diagnose si TJ,” Manzano said. “I leave it to the family to choose how to celebrate his life. As a parent I know the family will continue to carry TJ in their hearts every waking day.”
Meanwhile, one Charmaine (@charmainedee10) shared that it does not look good to see the parents of the bereaved celebrating his death.
“Para sa amin di magandang tingnan na nagsasaya yung parents ng namatay…” wrote the netizen. “Di ba sila [nag-mo-mourn]? Parang ok lang? It’s not really ok.”
Manzano, however, told the netizen that people mourn in their own ways. “@chairmainedee10 We all choose to mourn in our ways,” he said, adding that they do not know of Teejay’s own wishes before his passing. “Hindi natin alam kung ano ang wishes ni TJ.”
One netizen, a certain Joh, seemed to understand that the family’s choice to celebrate Teejay’s life does not mean they are not saddened over his death.
“I’m sure nalulungkot naman sila pero ginagawa nila yung alam nilang dapat gawin,” wrote a certain Joh (@johhannahspiredbyyou). “Wala naman siguro nawalan ng mahal sa buhay na hindi nalungkot.”
Manzano agreed, writing, “@johhannahspiredbyyou Totoo! We all mourn in different ways.”
Lynn Cruz, mother of Teejay, said it herself on her Instagram post last Nov. 25, that a flash mob in honor of the Lord was what Teejay would have wanted.
“I know this made him smile,” Lynn said. “Ito ang gusto nya sanang gawin, to do a flashmob praising and worshiping the Lord na hindi na nya nagawa dito sa mundong ibabaw.”
In her heart of hearts, Lynn shared that she knows her son Teejay is dancing in heaven.
“I know in my heart na sa langit ay ginagawa na nya ito and the Lord is pleased! Thank you Lord! Thank you Jesus!” /ra
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