The last time I heard from him was on November 6, when I was in Japan. I messaged him about Trump. I teased him that it was time for him to abandon his San Francisco home and move to his beautiful house in Coron, Palawan, because Trump is president again. When Trump was running his first bid for president, Dennis said he would leave the US if Trump won.
Today, I received a text message from the son of Dr. Cecil Arillo saying that his dad had died.
Then after one minute, another message came in. It was from Dennis Mesina’s number.
I was in total shock. My tears flowed and I wept for several minutes. I only have very few friends. In fact, mabibilang ko sa isang kamay ko lang. Tapos nabawasan pa. I kept saying “nakakainis naman, nakakainis. Ang dami namang masasamang tao, bakit hindi pa sila ang nauna. Daming rapist….”
It’s been almost a month since he passed away and I had no clue, until Sylvia messaged me today.
Weird because this morning I woke up thinking about dying. I asked myself, what if I die suddenly or in 3 months, or next year. My husband for sure would find another love faster than the moonbeam. My children will survive without me. They’ll miss me sometimes. Theo will have no recollection of her Wowa who loved her dearly. He is too young to retain all those memories of me.
I no longer remember when I first met Dennis. Maybe 15 years ago. He was referred to me by Atty. Boy Crisostomo, who was still with the law firm of Siguion-Reyna then. I was looking for a lawyer who practiced in California to prepare and file some documents. My memory is failing. I can’t even recall what that was about.
Edmund and I went to his office somewhere in San Francisco’s business district. Then he invited us for lunch, sabi nya malapit lang. Nay ko, ang layu-layo, we crossed a dozen blocks until we reached San Francisco’s Ferry. He was the one who introduced me to Hog Island Oysters. Dennis was also the one who gave me tips on where to eat and where to go, the best hotels in the world.
He and Sylvia fell in love with Strasbourg and had gone there for 5 consecutive Christmases. He always said “Ann, pumunta kayo ni Edmund dun, Sylvia and I loved it”. So I went, in Nov 2022, with Edmund, Ayleen, and Bong. We all loved it too. I will go back next year as a tribute to him.
Atty. Dennis Gregory Mesina was my legal adviser, confidante, travel advisor, my human Michelin Guide.
It was such a joy to talk to him because he giggled at everything I said. Nakakawala sya ng stress ko. He made me feel everything would be okay.
I have lost a valuable friend. Sylvia has lost her greatest love who loved her unconditionally with patience and dedication. The world has lost one of the nicest guys on the planet.
I miss Dennis already. I was looking forward to traveling with him and Sylvia to Europe. My husband and I will never forget him. We will forever remember him.
s
