From Tessie to Ton: An unsent letter to a dear friend

Tessie Tomas

(Editor’s Note: The letter below was written by actress Tessie Tomas for her longtime friend, Inquirer Entertainment’s Bayani San Diego Jr., who died in his sleep on Oct. 24.)

Dear Bayani,

I was so shocked to learn that you passed on in your sleep last Wednesday morning, as your sister tried to wake you up to prepare for your trip to the Tokyo Film Festival. What a pity. That would have been a very exciting event for you!

I am overwhelmed with grief and a great sense of loss. You were still young, and more importantly, we were friends for at least 20 years. My deep sadness becomes even more difficult because, as I told you about 12 days ago in our Viber exchange, I am now in the Isle of Man with my husband, Roger (Pullin). Malayo sa ating mga kaibigan na kahati ko sana sa aking dalamhati. At ni hindi man lang ako nakarating sa iyong wake para sa isang huling pamamaalam sa ’yo.

I want to thank you for all  the fun times we shared together. How we always ended up as seatmates as we tried to catch as many Cinemalaya film entries as we could. Or how we giggled as I cracked jokes during those times we had lunch in Makati.

Above all, I want to thank you for all the support you have given me throughout my career—the press releases, the beautiful articles you have written about me in my various projects, etc. I even handpicked you to specifically write a special article about me in the book, titled “100 Women.” Indeed, I have so much admiration for you being a great and eloquent writer!

I will sorely miss you, my dear Bayani. But I will keep our friendship close to my heart. I lift my grief to God, knowing that you now rest in His Peace. Hanggang dito na lang, mahal kong kaibigan.

Love, Tessie