Farewell Sir Joel...

Let me just break my newlywed bliss to post this sad news.... Today is a sad day for Philadelphians (students of Philadelphia High School in Quezon City). At around 2:15am this morning, Mr. Joel R. Nitafan, fondly known as "Sir Joel" by us Philadelphians, was pronounced dead at MCU Hospital. Autopsy reports say that cause of death was heart attack. He had no previous heart ailments and doctors presume it was because of stress. He was 35. I've known Sir Joel for 13 years. He first came to Philadelphia High School (back then it was just Philadelphia School) when I was in Grade 6. He was to be our new Guidance Counselor. Over the years, i have come to know him and his family well. During my high school years, I was a regular "tambay" in his office. Not because of any school troubles though. My dad usually fetched us from school very late, and Sir Joel, being the workaholic that he is, would often stay late in his office. So me and other students (who were also fethced late) would stay in his office. We would help him with his files and other stuff (not the confidential ones of course) and when he had free time we would have bible study. Over time he formed a peer group that would meet a couple of times each week. We would have bible studies together and some chit chats and the groupe became close. During my high school years, he facilitated our retreats and other school facilities. He was like a brother to me. He knew of my crushes and boyfriends and would often share advice. He also became close to our family as my dad would often offer him a ride. We also became close to his brothers and his mom. When I went off to college, communication was cut. I was busy with school and he was busy with his work. He was now the Student Activities Coordinator and he was in charge of the the Bot Scout Movement, this I believe became his passion. The School's Boy SCouts Movemement won a lot of awards with his leadership. A few years later, I decided to work at my alma mater. Sir Joel was still there, busy and a workaholic still. He was still the Student Activities Coordinator. He facilitated a lot, or should I say most of the School's Activities. One particular activity that he was proud of was the yearly Kids For Christ concert or musical. It was often a wonderful show and it funded a lot of the School's physical improvment and activities. It was often held during February and now we will miss it..we will miss him. No Sir Joel was not a saint. Honestly, a lot of people don't like him much. Most of the time me included. He was often shouting at people, most of the time his words hurt. And a lot more other stuff that I won't enumerate anymore. But, he is very zealous for the Lord Jesus and he was a person with a lot of energy and passion in what he does. That's why I was shocked to find out that he already passed away. We may not have gotten along that much in the past couple of years, but I have a lot of good memories of him. Especially the Vacation Bible Schools where we both taught kids the dance and songs up on stage! I am sad for his family and I grieve for their loss. Especially with what I found out yesterday. Sir Joel got married pala last December 21 in civil rites. For many years we often chide him why he doesn't have a girlfriend yet and sometimes he would often wail about how he would never marry anymore because he couldn't seem to find her. Now that he did, a month later, he left his wife of 1 month who is now also a month pregnant. I know that Sir Joel is now with the Lord. But I grieve for his wife and family. They were married shortly after Jasper and i did, and I can not even fathom the pain she may be feeling right now...all I can do is pray for his soul, for his wife and yet-unborn child and for his whole family. Sir Jo, wherever you are, thank you for the friendship. I will always treasure it. Your passing away is a great loss not only for your family but also for the Philadelphia High School Community. Here's a song for you..the song you taught us during our high school graduation. i know this is your favorite because you always teach this to all graduating students... THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN We hardly shared a glance to greet and know each other and now the time is up the band is packing up We'll find another chance to meet again together and fill each other's cup I feel like breaking up It's this time that almost always makes me cry before we say goodbye I want to let you know I love you... Thank you for playing my music and thank you for singing my song thank you for sharing a moment 'cause with you i feel i really belong Thank you for keeping me company and thank you for being my friend and if our paths should cross somewhere someday I'd love to sing this song again I pray the Lord our God richly bless and keep you together let us call and thank Him most of all Somehow I'm feeling sad I know I'm gonna miss you I know I will recall this warm and cozy hall Still there's one more thing before the day is done before the lights are gone before the curtain closes, let me.. Thank you for playing my music and thank you for singing my song thank you for sharing a moment 'cause with you i feel i really belong Thank you for keeping me company and thank you for being my friend and if our paths should cross someday then I'd really be glad, yes ill really be glad, I'd like to THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN.