AYI, Larger than Life

Later years in high school, I used to see this family who were attending mass altogether. I observed then, they were just around during vacation. Being keen wasn’t congruent to identifying which family they belong; I could draw a blank whenever an information about them was asked.

When I embraced politics as a neophyte youth leader in 1992, I also offered my services to those who were off my boat. There I met Noel “Waway” Ramos who was also a youth official in Calzada (another barangay) and became a buddy to my batch mate, Rose Marfil & my cousin, Kathy.

Summer came when everybody was hopping from one location to another- keeping ears to the ground and eyes on the ball. I participated in one Santacruzan as Emile Gonzales’ escort. After the sequence, I joined Waway and other youths to the “sayawan” (ball) where I was introduced to Ayi Alsua, Waway’s childhood friend, who was there to fetch him. I recognized Ayi- the one who was visible at the church with his family during vacation.

I learned from Papa that same night that he and Ayi’s father, Tito Amon Alsua, are cousins. Only the former’s sisters used to get along with the latter’s family, that’s why I never got acquainted with them in common family gatherings.

It was that same month when I wasn’t minding my own beeswax; Waway asked me to join him in supporting Ramon Mitra (Tito Amon’s ally & business partner) who was a presidential candidate in 1992, yet later lost his own bid for the presidency in a race to Fidel V. Ramos. During the campaign, I made banners & posters for Tito Amon who was running for a Board Member post then; his wife, Tita Tess [sister of the controversial businessman/philanthropist-Mark Jimenez], had requested me as well to sketch crystals on illustration boards for her business presentation.

They say, “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow”… I’d been a constant visitor at Alsua’s residence since then. I was introduced to the siblings and got along with them comfortably. The family that I used to gaze at while attending mass turned out to be very close to me...well, being related by consanguinity is a bonus!

Ayi, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, holds the most of the ethical adjectives. He’s the ever unspoken soul, one BIG fish in a BIG bowl, a generous heart, my armchair critic-counterpart, animal lover, orchid collector, genuine cowboy, meek businessman, swimming & lawn tennis’ brain & brawn, cockpit’s chief, royal financier, karaoke bar’s fine tune, non-abstemious, meticulous cook, empathetic pal, brass hat-potential, nice as pie, my best friend…cousin…& kumpare, and my better hands down.

There were countless instances when Ayi & I had proven to be best of buddies. At some points of being fully-reserved by nature, we still exchanged the best & worst of our whereabouts. He would affirm me whenever I do good, advise me whenever necessary, and push me to further my horizon; Ayi has been my indisputable supporter. I owe him part of my success, if not a lot!!!

Through the course of our 17 year-full-baked friendship, “hit & miss” each other’s intolerance was a NO-NO. Between the era when he taught me how to booze until this techy- generation when his product (Iya) with other half (Patty Gonzalez) starts to learn the ABC…I couldn’t catch a memory wherein clashes, grudges, or disputes had transpired.

We adhered to watering holes regularly; we would visit his rice field and cattle & fish farms; we would tour Baguio, Manila & even Bangkok; we would do the marketing & experimental cuisine; we would sing-along neck and neck; we would witness dusk and dawn…nonetheless, we remain as nuts & bolts than we could ever imagine.

Whatever others would describe my best friend…Ayi, for me, is larger than life itself!