Being asked to give tribute to Hashtag Franco Hernandez is a privilege, but how can I start paying homage to this young man when tears are welling in my eyes and a big lump started forming in my throat?
Framing my thoughts was a daunting task, I was literally groping in the dark. How can I find the right words to mark the passing of a good man when emotions runs high? Indeed it was difficult, especially when four weeks ago we were at the set of Showtime and Franco even manage to shake our hands squeezed it and then wave to us.(Was it his way of saying goodbye?) Had I known the drowning incident I could have warned him not to go to Davao.
Remembering Franco, who could forget his innocent face on screen flustered when Vice Ganda put him on a noontime prank, and all he can do was giggle and giving the audience his signature impish smile. Being young he was not ready for comedy and humor using double entendre. His dancing skill was topnotch and his participation in Cash-ya just tickle the little child in each and everyone of us ... that yes ... life is hard ... we have to play and horse around once in awhile.
But it was those short conversation we had that I will never forget. I watched him turned into a young man with so much enthusiasm and too many plans for the future. He talked about improving his craft and to better his contributions as Hashtag member. As a son I thought he was a gentle soul, tireless in his resolve and indefatigable in his desire to help his family.
Franco is well loved by his friends and colleague and it is a testament to him how many of his fans are in spirit to bid farewell to this man whose potentials of being a matinee idol started to shape up.
Franco doesn't want us to grieve for so long. Rather, all he wanted is for us to cherish the good times he has shared with us.
Goodbye my friend. May you will rest in peace. You will live in our hearts forever!
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