Kenn was a dear friend and one of the few who call me "Nat". A term of endearment meant for family. He is an encourager, a breath of fresh air, honest and an AMAZING person. Love Kenn with all my heart.

Don’t know you personally, I just read the article about you in GMANews.tv. Man, your life’s story is so inspiring. I will always try to do the same deeds you did to other people when you helped them even if you did not know them. Rest easy, Mr. Kenn. 🙏🏼

Dear Kenn, Miriam Cid reminded me that it’s your birthday today.That’s how much you touched our lives over the years. Your kindness and humility will always be remembered. Thank you. Happy Birthday to you and our appreciation to your mother for giving birth to you, please watch over her.

Today the heaven is celebrating with you... to the person who've i only known for a short time but has a big impact in me... it's a great privileged to know you and to be a part of your life...rest well my dear 😘 😊 ❤

You have been my Dad, my Mom, a bestfriend, a Lover, a Guardian, everything that I could ask for a person. You have provided me a home, not a house. All of my achievements now is all because of you. I owe it all to you. And each and every person around us can testify the impact you have given into my life. Living with you under 1 roof for over 4 years opened a lot of realizations. Realizations that I can be better. Not just better but I can be at my best. And you have taught me how to perfectly execute it. And I am very very grateful to have you in my life. That night before you have departed, I have asked for a strength from our Lord God. And babe, thank you for giving me someone whom I can rely on in times like this. Someone that will make me very happy. I know, its you. It’s you who have asked from God to give this person to me. And in your very last breath, all you think about is still other people’s happiness. Oh what have we done to deserve a person like you? Today, it’s your 56th birthday, and this day will never be the same again. I badly miss you and I love you so much. We may have this what if’s right now but we will get used to this. We will keep on celebrating your amazing life as long as we shall live. Have fun celebrating your birthday in Heaven, my love. I love you so much ❤️🕊

Unang kita. Sobra na ang tiwla mo sakin honey.. hanggat sa pag gwa ko ng tower sa bahay mo. Open na open ako sayu... at higit sa lahat ung sweet mo sakin. Grabe ..
Honey... iloveyouu.. i hope. Mag kasalubong pa tayu..

Dearest Kenn,
Today is your 4Oth Day, and up to this day i still could not accept the fact you are now up there rejoicing, laughing, singing with the angels and saints. You were chosen to join Him in paradise because you always bring sunshine into other in people's lives. You have a way to be always present in someone's life, as if they are the only one existing for you at that moment spent. You make it each day spent special and just fun filled day That is one great gift you have for others.A gift to be a present for others.
I have spent so many precious times with you, where you make an ordinary day to be extra special because of the adventure, and stories that come with them.
I will always be your bohemian, free soirit, activist friend as how you fondly describe me. The never ending stories we share, the spur of the moment trips.the long phone calls, the laughter, tears,thank you kenn for being a good listener. Thank you for being there to share every break ups i have. Thank you for bringing that sunshine that radiates from you. Thirty five years of friendship is indeed one treasure i will akways cherish. You are a rare gem no wonder God chose you, because he picks the best to be in his flock. Whenever i see a blue car, i will be reminded of those fun filled days riding in your ford laser. Whenever i will eat purple oven cakes i will be reminded of you,. The list would go on and on of fun filled days that was never have been a dull moment. Shine brightest up there dearest kenn. bea and i love you dearly. One thing sad os you never got to take your oldest inaanak to the altar. Watch over her from up there dear. Love you forever, tes and bea marfil

“Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.” 🕊

-You’re such a caring, loving, joyful and helpful person, there are no words that can describe how much I truly appreciate every good thing you’ve done to everyone and in life.

-All the good memories we had will never be forgotten but kept inside my heart, I love you so much Tito Kenn and we will miss you.

"Deep in our hearts memories are kept of a friend we will never forget".

#lolapowerz
#resteasy 🤍🕊

Hi Ninong Kenn! Do you remember how you used to call me your little sunshine? I know that’s not only because we lived next to you in Sunshine in Makati, but you used to say it was because I always made you smile. But did you know that YOU were the real sunshine? You were the one who made me laugh and smile. I always had the best time with you. I really miss you and our silly conversations. I miss your jokes, your tickles, and your hugs. I’m a little sad that I didn’t get to see you or hug you before you left us, but I want you to remember that you will always be my sunshine.

I love you so much Ninong Kenn. I hope you’re having the best and most colorful party up there. 🦄☀️💖

Your Little Miss Sunshine,

Dear Kuya Kenn, First time I met you, I knew we would get on. You were the life and soul of any room. You made me laugh so much my stomach hurt. I will always remember our time spent together when you toured Europe with your bros. We drove to many places in the UK and we would always be the loudest group, and to save face, we would shout out “Go Thailand”…. 🤣🤣🤣 It was our IN joke! I have lots of fond memories with you. You were the one that inspired me to do more and be better! And the one that introduced me to Anne Frank! Since then, I read that book 3x. Even though the short space of time spent with you back then, felt like I’d already known you a lifetime. I am so shocked and saddened that you’ve been taken away too soon! We were just bantering on FB a few months ago!… just unbelievable! Hope you’re having a wonderful time up there. Until our next shenanigans. Much love Noralyn

Heartbrokenn. 💔

Two weeks on and I’m still struggling to move on. You brought so much laughter, light and love into our lives, and a world without you is simply unimaginable.

I terribly miss you.

Your joyful spirit. How you could light up every room with your gregarious nature and larger-than-life personality.

Your crazy, embellished stories. How you could make anyone believe them because you were such a charming storyteller.

Your wild ideas. How you turned them into reality (a chain of restaurants, a magazine, and the most fun parties to name a few) with your fearlessness, stubbornness and laser sharp drive.

Your generosity. How you were always ready to share yourself, mentor, inspire and help your family, friends, and even those you barely knew.

Your fascinating way of connecting with just about anyone, and making them feel seen and special in their own way.

Your welcoming arms that was always ready to provide a home.

Your big, forgiving heart.

Your immense love.

The pain will surely linger longer. But I take comfort in knowing you lived your life to the fullest, and that your light will continue to shine on in our hearts.

I’m grateful and honored to have been touched by your beautiful soul in this lifetime. 💖

Have the grandest, most fun and outrageous party up there, our Sunshine. ☀️ My Ikot. ❤️

Hug Z for me. 🦋

ILY Forever! 💞

Dear Ken, I was greatly saddened when I learned of your passing. My condolences to your loving family. I remember you were still quite young when you were in Chicago, but you were resilient and quickly adaptable to the changes and challenges you encountered
One time you slept overnight in my apartment because you have to be early to attend a retreat near where I live, you were just easy to deal, so to speak. Thank you for sharing your joyful spirit, your smiles, and youthful glow,, your love of Broadway plays, ( you even joined the cast of ' Hello Dolly" . I learned from you too.
(I wanted to upload a video but have technical difficulties ) I'm sad but reassured you will be resting in peace with our Lord

I don't know you personally but (from my niece Yess). I feel sad that a kind soul like you had to leave so soon. This planet needs more of kind hearted ppl like you. May you rest in peace Ken & may God's perpetual light shine upon you Amen.

The last time I saw kuya kenn was when he joined me and my partner in Taipei, Taiwan back in 2019. We had such a great time in Taiwan and even if Kuya kenn is half my age he never failed to keep up with all the activities such as endless walks, hiking, parties, museum. He had such a young soul with a wise heart. I will forever miss you Kuya kenn. There is so much more to share and im glad i made enough happy memories with kuya kenn. RIP

It always amazes me, how much space someone can hold for other people. Kenn, you have always been someone who can make anyone feel seen, heard and understood. A person’s capacity to hold genuine space and time for others is a true testament of the vast amount of love someone holds in their heart.

I want you to know how instantly you fit in our family from the very beginning and how much I value all that you are in our lives. Thank you for coming into our family. Everyone will probably have the same sentiments, but even so you have managed to make all these connections their own special way.

Moving on and forward for people left on earth will always be painful and may probably never be understood, but with a meaningful life and the love you have given in your lifetime, our cups have and will always remain full.

Last night I dreamt and heard you laugh in the background, thank you for always being our beacon, light and laughter. Enjoy and rest the goodness and pureness of life on the other side. Our souls live forever. I will love you forever my brother. ❤️

I first met Ken when he was still in grade school ( about Gr 6 or 7 maybe), when I was going to their house in Xavierville. ( I was tutor for Nonong when he was probably gr 2. He needed help in Filipino , as the kids were English speaking, otherwise, he was very good student)
I then learned from Tita Rose that Kenn was sent to the Chicago, USA to continue his studies. When he was in Chicago, he became close to my sister , Helen, as she was living there, too.( My sister Helen will place her own video message,)She tells me that when they have weekends off, they would watch a show. or a Broadway play in downtown .They usually meet up in Michigan avenue ( she, 2 other friends usually Maribeth and Tess,) and Kenn watch a show and eat out afterwards. Kenn even became a cast of "Hello Dolly" in the high school he attended. The Velascos became like family to the Ansay family. When my loving dad passed away 5 yrs ago, Kenn attended the funeral mass. (Nonong was one of the eulogy speakers then). We were friends on FB, I see usually his posts( and he followed mine too) Last May, 5 mos ago, when I posted our pic ( Helen, me and my mom when we visited St. Joseph's shrine for feast of St. Joseph, Kenn posted a msg:" Hello everyone!" and with Helen's pic, he posted, "hello Helen"" that was the last hello (and maybe he meant to bid us goodbye"). I remember his kindness always. My sister Helen will post her separate message as I said, she was with Kenn for many years in the US. Rest in peace Kenn. Thank you for your kindness. May eternal light shine upon you.

To Zoë’s “Favorite Ninong:”

Thank you for welcoming our little family to your home in Sunshine 🌞 when we moved back to the Philippines.

We will miss your boisterous laughter, fascinating stories, silly ideas, and the life you bring to every room you occupy. We will never forget the way you can always elicit a laugh or a smile from Zoë.

Continue partying up there! 🤘

when I met kenn, I was so lost with my life. I was still in school, I didn’t know what direction to take and was in an abusive relationship plus my parent was having a hard time accepting my preference

I was a member back then with FitnessFirst, it was in Rob Manila, when he suddenly sat in front me and start chatting. First conversation Sabi nya: “ I know you’re a good person, and that guy you’re with isn’t worth it.” He thought a very valuable lesson on self love and acceptance. I was 21 at that time.

Kenn, I miss you, I regret the messages that I wasn’t able to reply, the invites the I wasn’t to go. I regretted to express more appreciate and gratitude because you have always pushed me to be the very best that I can be. You gave me that push to go to Ateneo Grad School, you taught me to always look at the good side of people and to never always throw the first stone.

Thank you for being my big sister, my lola, my brother. I love you Kenn, how I wish there was more time.

Watch over us. Thank you for everything

Kenn was the kind of person who could talk to anyone. That was one of the things I admired most about him.

Whenever he introduced you to someone, he always tried to make sure there was an interesting anecdote or funny story to share about you and that other person so you would remember each other.

Even the way Kenn would say your name was so distinct. It was almost like he could find music in the way it was said.

When I’d get a text from him, I swear I could almost hear that music in his voice swirling in my head as I read his words on the screen.

His affectionate tone, lilting and warm, always made you feel like you were being welcomed home.

Thinking about Ken brings me waaaay back to the 70s and 80s, back when we were kids. He was Bong Bong to us , him being like a younger brother . He would meet me after dinner at our garage while sitting on top of our “batman” car and we would just chat about anyone and anything. He left with me , a treasure trove of memories that I could bring me and keep for years to come. He got me to be their intrams muse for his class at Ateneo . our families would also get together . Tita Rosie always liked to have family dinners in their home . They were family indeed.
I remember posing for his magazine New you ..

The last time chatted via text was about putting up a foundation as he suggested then for those who need help , wanting to pull in our neighborhood friends but he left too soon. We reminisced about the street Christmas parties and our childhood days . That brings me back to the haunted houses my playmates and i put up in our houses and invited kids like Bongbong and even dramas and skits while kids like bong would come and watch. It was childhood worth remembering because of him who was always with me and my sisters growing up even when they no longer lived in the neighborhood, as we would be invited for dinner at their house in xavierville.
Oh Bong Bong , ken , as people would call you nowadays, I would sorely miss you.

The years I have spent with KFV were filled with discoveries, adventures, and excitement. I found guidance, friendship, discipline and love, everything in one person. He gave me a lot of opportunities, knowledgable advices, and a solid and endless support. He did an amazing job of bringing out my strengths and helped me gain my confidence in myself and my capabilities. He taught me to focus on what really matters. And most especially, he taught me to be honest all the time, to always do the right thing, and to always be kind.

I will forever treasure you. We have shared our personal stories with each other like a real bffs would do, you’ve protected and treated me as your own - I remember when I told you I was dating someone already, you’ve asked me lang one thing, “are you happy?” I said “yes” and the next thing you’ve told me really warmth my heart “then I am happy for you. As long as you’re not doing anything wrong, go ahead. Just always remember to protect your heart.”

Thank you for always reminding me of my worth. Thank you for teaching me how to be brave and get out of my comfort zone - you have always believed in me, putting me out there because you know I can. You play a huge part on where I am and what I am rn. Isa kang inspirasyon, sir Kenn - you always tell me I’m the best but really, thank you for continually inspiring me to do my best and be the best version of myself. You’ve helped me strive for my goals, encouraged me to pursue my masters and here I am now, down to my last year in grad school, sir. I promise to get that MBA degree for you, and make you proud.

I will always and forever be grateful for you, sir Kenn. I’ve lost a mentor, a friend, and a parent. Let me share with you a few lines from a song - I’m in pieces, it’s tearing me up but I know a heart that’s broke is a heart that’s been loved… We’re all heart broken cos of your passing because you’ve loved us all so much, sir Kenn… I’m in pain but it somehow makes me okay knowing you’re in a safer place now.

Please always guide me from up there, my angel. I will miss you so so much.. An honor to have worked with you, to have known you.

Before I left CASI you’ve told me “as much as I don’t want you to go, Paula, I don’t want to be selfish…” - what a big heart you have.. Let me say it to you now, sir Kenn, as much as we want you to stay with us, we also don’t want to be selfish.. No more pain now. Rest easy, KFV. I love you so much, and I’ll miss you forever.

Forever grateful for your friendship Kenn! Your gentle honesty, positive sunshine aura and presence everytime we meet either Boracay, Weekend night out in Malate and my yearly birthday party way back years is something I will forever cherish . Your Soc Media Post ( lolapowerz) wit is superb.. kept me and the others sane during the pandemic. You never turned down the chance to meet new people, travel somewhere, or just be there when we needed you . I was honored when you include me in your 55th birthday video greeting presentation. You are so talented and kind. I wish we had more time laughing , partying and sharing I love you’s . Everyone is still reeling from your sudden passing but God has reasons why he wanted to take you this early. No more pain only pure blissful life up there. We will all miss you! – Chelle

Hi Ninong Kenn! I miss you and all the fun parties we had together! I remember in early 2020 (at the start of the pandemic) you gave me a unicorn toy from one of your travels, and I still have it. I also remember that I would visit you when we still lived in Sunshine, and that you used to tickle me and hug me. I will miss those. I love you!

I met Kenn 1998 when I was working at CASI. We were only 3 employees. Franco was the Tech, Mitch was admin and I was the Mystery Shopper. It was the most fun job I ever had. Then CASI grew and my job grew too. Kenn always believe in me, it came to the point of many fights I have with him. I end up doing what he believe in me. LOL! I'm grateful for the things he have thought me.

I have so many great memories at CASI.
1. One time we were detained in Robinsons Galleria, security thought we have a bomb in our possession. We have to abort our mystery shopping.
2. He even ask me to go around Luzon area with a lot of jewelries and money in my hand hopping no one will rob me.
3. I ate 7 Pizza Hut locations with another shopper in one day. It traumatized my tummy that I coudn't handle their pizza even now. LOL!
4. I visited a lot of places in the Philippines and meet a lot of people.
5. Kenn gave me despedida party.
So many great memories!!!

My relationship with Kenn is not good for employee and employer but we become friends. He always check up on me even if I'm in a different country and time zone. I'm so happy he visited me and my boys here in Los Angeles. We always keep in touch and he always initiate how are things going.

He is smart, funny, generous and have a big heart. You will be miss Kenn. I love you LOLA!

I love you sir! We will miss you! salamat sa lahat ng pagmamahal, pag-uunawa at opportunities. This life will not be the same without you. You will always be in my heart.

List of crazy things I experienced with Kenn:
1) One time that we were in Fez, he handed me so much food and told me, "OMG buntis ka! Kumain ka lang!" I didn't know that I was preggy that time. Months after, tama nga. He always had a vision in life pero di ko naman alam that he had this ultrasound vision that nobody had haha!
2) Because of #2, I asked him to predict the coming pregnancies. He fed me wallnuts cause it was good for my baby's brain development daw. At that time, again, di ko na naman alam that I was conceiving my 2nd baby. Same pattern. Nagkakatotoo whenever he said, "Buntis!" Kenn was like my Obando in Kamagong.
3) He once offered me an all expense paid  tummy tuck, when he saw my exposed wawa tummy lying on his Sunshine couch. I just realized that I was declining all his pampaganda treats.
4) He let all the exes of the world unite together under one roof.
5) He offered me 50,000 just to sign up for Bb. Pilipinas. Didn't matter kung di ko daw ituloy but he wanted to see how it would make me to feel to be in that kind of world kahit for 10 minutes lang. Of course, I declined. He never stopped bringing that up every time we saw each other.
6) He taught me what the real meaning of OT was. Brian was the reason behind it lol!
7) How could somebody forget his own birthday party he himself planned? Ako lang ang bisita dahil jan. Haha!

Spontaneous, Kenn! I will miss you!

Thank you says it All my dear Lola Kenn
Rest in peace my friend.

Thank you so much for everything you've done for kuya Zion and our family.. We will always treasure you in our hearts. May your soul rest in peace. You will be missed.

Guardian Angel and a blessing to everyone around you.

I remember the first time we met, it was Halloween in Boracay at Tibras. There was a game, had to be blindfolded and someone would dance around ‘us’ blindfolded ladies while listening to bongo flava music. You started lightly touching me and I freaked out and you whispered, “Don’t worry, I’m gay”.

I remember it like it was yesterday. I never ever lost anyone I love through death, you’re the first. I know you’ll say, ‘There’s always a first, Lola.”

You’ll never be forgotten my dear Kenn, your words still ring in my ears when you said, “Follow your heart” when I was scared and unsure whether to leave home. Your words gave me courage then, and they still do now. I no longer have to teach you meditation as I know you’ve found peace. See you on the other side 🤍🔮

I will always remember how Kenn revolutionized the traditional mystery shopping program of our bank with his state of the art body cams which bahe ck then was cutting edge technology. Ang babaw ng kaligayahan namin as we delight when we get to prove how front-liners would lie through their teeth by showing actual video tapes of them disproving their fabricated stories! But my relationship with Kenn which started professionally grew on a personal level as the years went by. I did not have the fortune of seeing the world with him but we always manage to get together after each other’s trip and would compare notes and influence each other’s subsequent trips based on our experiences. We managed to have a few local trips together and one of my most impressionable memories of Kenn was our weekend in a resort owned by a good friend of ours.

We were doing sunset yoga by the beach with Kenn and Brian leading the practice. Kenn’s soothing, very relaxing voice made it easy for amateurs like me and my friend to follow the poses. At one point, he said “snake”, almost as a whisper and so we thought he was asking us to do the cobra pose. Kenn repeated it in the most serene and calm manner to let us know, it was a real snake! OMG, while we were lying on our yoga mats, there was a poisonous snake slithering around us.

That was you Kenn… very calm and poised even in the midst of danger. That’s how I will remember you Kenn, your calming and soothing presence. You were there for me in my most difficult times. Thank you for all of the times we have shared. Thank you always for showing your love, for coming to my Mother’s funeral mass last May. I didn’t think it would be the last time I will see you. Thank you for immortalizing our last moment together by posting our picture with the caption -“the reason I danced tango in Buenos Aires”- yes Kenn, I am sure the angels are rejoicing as you dance your way into heaven. I still can’t believe you are gone Kenn but I know you are in a better place now. Rest in the loving arms of our dear Lord. I love you Kenn.

Oh no 🙁 Kenn 🙁

I got my foundations in Economics from you. Eco 101 and Eco 102. I'll never forget how you used bagels and baguettes to talk about supply and demand 🙂 Probably got me started on the road to teaching Economics and I used your lecture notes for my first few Eco 102 classes. Your lessons on macroeconomics were the absolute best. Glad I got to tell you all this in 2016.

Rest in peace, Kenn. Rest in peace.

To our dearest Kenn, Zoë’s favorite Ninong—the one with all the crazy ideas, the silliest, the most fun:

Thank you for bringing so much love, joy, and craziness to our lives. We will terribly miss you, your energy, your charisma, and how you always managed to brighten the room with your mere presence. Words can’t express how heartbroken we are for losing you so suddenly, but we know all too well that you would be the first to tell us to not dwell on the sadness. So we promise to celebrate your life, your beautiful soul, and all the memories you left us. Thank you for being a friend and a brother. Enjoy your grand party up there. We love you so much!

Blessings

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Thank you Sir Kenn for your life, and for your advice when it comes to business and for your trust without asking so many questions. you touched our hearts in your special ways.

Oh Kenn made me laugh and made me feel that softness in my heart. We connected. I loved that he was 'landi' and was softspoken. We were in contact during this whole covid experience over Dustin and his life in Tagaytay and I thought that was special. Have missed you Kenn. You are a wonderful soul. Fly high and say hi to my mom and lola! You are loved and will be missed.

Sir Kenn Velasco. Thank you very very much for everything. You're really an inspiration to everybody. You make our dreams do come true literally especially to me, first time to experience an international company outing at HongKong Disneyland. first time to explore Bohol, first time to stroll and dine at City of Dreams and more... We are so grateful that you share your blessings to us, for appreciating each of us your employee. CASI will always be a family to me. We will miss you Sir Kenn. May God bless your soul and bless your family always. We love you Sir Kenn.

Kenn was one of the very few people who never failed to make me smile or laugh. He had this joie de vivre that was contagious. He had this special talent of connecting with people, just about anyone. We had this running joke that he would always tease me with everytime we meet (our secret LOL) . I've also had the pleasure of working with one of his companies for my doctorate research, and his professionalism was sterling.
You will be sorely missed......now you ARE an angel....Godspeed Kenn

There are very few spaces which I could call a home away from home. Kenn's place was one of them. Whether it be from working late with Brian and the Team, or coming from a late night party or date, Kenn's place at Sunshine was always open. And true enough so was his heart. I'm very grateful to have known him and spent time with him. He always manages to make you feel at home now matter what and always adds that flair to any moment. Thank you Kenn for all the love and care and humor. They say there is no place like home and there is certainly no home or heart like yours Kenn. Thank you.

Dreamt of you today. It first started like I was attending a variety show showcasing all our photos together. Then I saw the white stairs that was so narrow which resembles his stairwell in Sunshine. ( I never felt safe coz it didnt have handle bars). But this one was so narrow it can only fit a foot, and it had 1 lysol bottle per side with colors green, orange and pink. I went up remembering I was so frightened that i might lose my balance while going up. I went to this room and I said something which I forgot, then he said I always say that ey. I scanned through what he was wearing because at the back of my head I knew it was a dream so I didnt want to forget every single detail. Then he stood up and faced me. I looked at him from head to foot. He was wearing a light yellow fitted shirt, green cargo pants and white rubber shoes with velcro straps.( Very 80s) I paused. I said wait, this cant be real coz the sneakers you were wearing is so outdated and out of fashion. Ang baduy ha. This cant be real. Hahahahha. I knew that I was dreaming. Then he said " Dont worry, ill be okay. I love you". Then he opened the door and left. I told him wait dont leave yet. I knew I was dreaming. But I didnt want to wake up so I stood in front of the door, waiting it to open again. The door was made out of plywood. No paint. And just had a big graffiti of a smiley face. Then I woke up.

Soulmates don't necessarily have to be a romantic partner. They can come to you in other forms. I first met mine at fitness first RCBC 21 years ago, if I'm not mistaken, saw this charming guy who loves to watch the tv series starstruck while running on the treadmill. I didn't know back then that it was love at first sight. So, I decided to spark an initial convo. And from then on, we were inseparable.

From my nursing days in Makati Med, to him introducing this handsome guy named Brian for the first time at Seattle's Best in GB, and then being hired by Emirates. Please take note; he was the only one against it. He said, "sayang ang talino mo" you might get hooked to that lifestyle. He wanted me to pursue my lifelong dream, which is to become a medical doctor.

I remember celebrating my 25th birthday at the newly opened resto FEZ when he ventured into the resto business. After finishing a three-year stint with Emirates, I went back home, and he offered to fend for my med school. I politely declined his offer as I was heavily in debt and couldn't afford to go back to school. He always believed that I could have been a good doctor.

When I finally got my footing back home, he opened his doors to me, and Tita Donald and I became a part of the sunshine crew. He asked Ate AleXie and I to accompany him to meet the parents of Kitty cat. Also met one of my closest friends through him, a beautiful authentic woman named Irish. We started traveling and spending most of our birthdays together because we were both “November Babies”. We traveled to many places in the world, and I am just so happy we did. This adventure we had made our connection much stronger, it showed our individual flaws and it made us adapt and love each other more. (Special mention to our beautiful friend Paula for always helping us with our travels) And for convincing him to take business class halfway to Rio last year during our trip, I remember him, upon seeing the bill, he said that he felt guilty because he could have helped someone else with the money he spent for himself. That is how generous and selfless kind of guy he was.

We fulfilled our dream to travel the world together, attending the Sinulog Festival with Chi, celebrating his birthday in Puerto Princesa with Merrily, having Singapore Sling at the Raffles in SG with Joey, celebrating our birthdays at Morton's in Hong Kong, to raiding my closet for your rendezvous as Madame K in Sydney, we also drove to Abu Dhabi to see the Louvre, experienced the Desert safari and introducing a wonderful girl named Aiza to me in Dubai, visiting Macchu Picchu, going to Ecuador to see Lu, danced at the Carnavale, Hang glided in Rio, Devour Pao de quiejo in Sao Paolo, Do tango lessons in Argentina, see the Iguazu falls, drink Malbec in Buenos Aires with Juan, ate Bacalhao in Lisbon with Reece and stayed at the airport hotel in Madrid because of the lockdown, all the way to planning on harvesting my eggs and having a designer baby together.

Kenn has left the legacy of love, compassion, and sympathy to everyone around him. Whenever anyone needed help, whether it was family or friends, and sometimes even strangers, he was always available, ready to lend a helping hand through his service. I admire his dedication and willingness to help others despite having difficulties at times. You always have this passion to give anything just so you could help and make someone else happy. You have touched and made such a difference in the lives of so many people. You taught us what it means to be a family, a friend and a loved one. You showed us how to lead a respectable life. You have accomplished many good things in life. You worked hard and always followed the path of honesty. You gave me the most basic form of love, care, and affection.

Indeed, my life became such an adventure with you. You were not only there through good times, but you were there the most when I'm feeling down. Always a shoulder to cry on. I think what would hurt the most is how much I am going to miss you. Go and follow the light, my dearest sis. It is time for you to rest in paradise peacefully. There will always be this void in my heart that no one can ever replace. But then 21 years, I am blessed because God lent you to me. And for that, I will be forever grateful to him. I will miss you every single day of my life. I love you forever. Kenn's wisdom, kindness, and wit will linger on. Forever young and loving, Kenn.

We'll always be together
However far it seems (love never ends)
We'll always be together
Together in electric dreams
Because the friendship that you gave
Has taught me to be brave
No matter where I go I'll never find a better prize
(Find a better prize)
Though you're miles and miles away
I see you every day
I don't have to try, I just close my eyes
I close my eyes
We'll always be together
However far it seems (love never ends)
We'll always be together
Together in electric dreams