When you walk around the busy school hallway, you’ll come across multiple types of students. You’ll see those in a group cramming schoolwork for the next period; those reviewing for their summative test; some nervously preparing for their presentation; and those just hanging around, eating and chattering during their vacant time. Sometimes, it could be overwhelming, not knowing which group to approach, or if you should even get out of your room in the first place. That’s when you’d hear an enthusiastic greeting from a boy with the warmest and biggest smile—for a moment you don’t feel so lost and alone anymore. For a second, you feel seen. 

It’s him, the boy whose laughter could fill the room—echoing throughout the entire building. The boy whose face lights up as he lifts everyone’s spirits, greeting them with a grin etched from ear to ear. The boy who’d patiently teach you how to ride a skateboard, how to solve math, how to run, how to play, and how to have fun. The one with the jolliest, warmest, and purest heart that radiates kindness. Ezekiel Timonera—a young man, a loving son, a cheerful brother, a bright student, and a reliable friend of all. The boy who made his loved ones’ lives brighter, louder, and easier to get through. With a smile that went into tomorrow—never forgotten, but will never be seen again. 

Today would’ve marked his 17th birthday. The days, weeks, months, and years of the calendar would continue to pass, but he’ll stay still at sixteen—forever young and frozen in time. 

Empty Seat at the Dinner Table 

Family is the foundation of who we become as individuals. Our parents, siblings, and grandparents are the first to know and love us unconditionally. In the eulogy of Ezekiel’s family, it’s evident how he was loved, cherished, and raised with great values. He grew up in a home wherein the light in his heart was kindled by his loved ones—filled with both unconditional hope and love—the same light he so openly shared to those stuck in the slump of dark.

The famous saying, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” has sometimes, if not always, carried a negative connotation but for the case for Ezekiel and his mother, Marcelina Timonera, it is as positive as the energy he always managed to bring. “Sabi nung iba, si Ezekiel, talkative but reliever. Nung kabataan ko gano’n din ako,” his mother narrated, recalling how she and her son shared both a life of joy but also a personality that made it possible—both bringing a sense of relief and comfort to those around them.

 “Walang-wala ako, binibigay ko pa sa iba, dun ko narealize ‘yung anak ko, ganyan din pala,” she added, proudly describing how Ezekiel takes after her selflessness. She was not only Ezekiel’s mother, the light of their family, or the one who brought him to the world because most of all, she was his best enemy, best comforter, and the “bestest” among all the friends he’s ever had.

“Lahat tayo talagang tumatak sa isip natin si Ezekiel as a bright kid, kahit sa bahay ‘di maiiwasan yung lokohan tapos away pero nandun pa rin yung love,” his Ate Azumi said.

“Siya ‘yung pinakamaalalahanin, ayaw niyang siya ‘yung inaalala,” his eldest sister, Apple, recalled how much her brother cared for their family. Ezekiel, with his heart always on his sleeves and a smile constantly clinging to his lips, still managed to hide his pain and keep his family from worrying. “Lagi niya akong kinakamusta, ‘yun ‘yung pinakamamimiss ko sa kapatid ko,” she added, with tears in her eyes. 

“Nagsabi talaga siya sakin na, ‘Da, ‘di na natin kaya,’” with sorrow, his father recalled his last conversation with Ezekiel. “Siguro sa sobrang pagmamahal niya sa’min, ayaw niya na rin kaming mahirapan,” he added. Even in his final moments, his main concern was his family, as it always was—an admirable act of selflessness and a moment of bittersweet goodbye that would forever be etched in their memories.

“Imbis na siya ang maghatid sakin, ako ang maghahatid sa kanya,” Ezekiel’s mother cried, lamenting how no parent should ever experience the pain of grieving the child you cherished since birth.

A child who lost both his parents is an orphan; a man who lost his spouse is a widower. But there would never be a word to describe the loss of one’s child—no word could ever encapsulate the weight of losing your own flesh and blood. A lost member of the family leaves an empty seat at the dinner table—a space no one could ever fill nor replace. 

Tears of Joy, Smiles of Sorrow

If you ask anyone who has ever known Ezekiel what kind of person he is, they would always describe him as a selfless boy, so full of life and laughter—a ball of sunshine that, without a fail, radiated joy and kindness to those around him no matter how they treat him back. He’s a friend you’d always reconnect with no matter how long you’ve lost contact—the one who’d always pick up if you called for help.  

“Sobrang laki ng naitulong niya na kulang na lang akuin niya na lahat, para lang hindi ako mahirapan,” Sheila Sado narrated.  “Gano’n siya sa lahat, hindi niya pinipili ‘yung taong tutulungan niya,” she continued.  

Ezekiel is a friend who’ll always look out for you when things get heavy—he’ll gladly carry the weight for you, no matter the baggage he’s already carrying. 

“Ezekiel brought lots of laughs in my life. He was that kind of person that could be friends with everyone in seconds. Kahit na makulit si Ezekiel, alam niyang umintindi ng tao,”  James Esteban, one of Ezekiel’s best friends since 9th grade, recalled the light Ezekiel brought to him. “Hindi lang siya basta kaibigan, siya yung klase ng taong ipaparamdam sa’yo na hindi ka nag-iisa,” he emphasized.

For some, Ezekiel isn't just all sunshine and rainbows for laughs. He was a real one—a friend you'd come to for advice and deep conversations. 

“He wasn't just a happy man, he was true,” Kyle Ipac remarked. “With him I learned the happiness and relief it gives when we smile at people,” he continued. 

“Often perceived as sunshine, I would describe Ezekiel as an umbrella. A necessity, someone that would be with you on the brightest of days and on the cold dark ones. Regardless, he would always be there rain or shine, and if he wasn't, it'd be as if something is missing,” a close friend recalled.

Dream On

A graduating high school student, full of potential, and with a whole life ahead of him—only 16 years of age, taken too soon. Every smile he shared, dreams he spoke of, now remain tucked away from a future that was never meant to end so soon. 

“‘Pag gumaling ka anak, sama kayo ng mama mo umuwi kayo ng Surigao masaya don fresh ang hangin, malapit sa dagat,” his father promised him that they’ll go back to their province once he recovered. 

When we lose the people we love, it's only then we realize how much they meant to us. Regret hits, and we think about the things we should've said and should've done when we had the chance. Things that we can only whisper to the wind now, hoping they’ll somehow reach him.

“Ezekiel, I love you. I should've told you that thousands of times when you were here. Marami pa tayong pangarap at mga pangakong hindi na natin matutupad nang magkasama,” Neil Bohayo expressed his grief and regret. 

“It hurts that someone who’s so bright, flickered before he reached his full potential,” Albrix Reyes remarked. 

He was a young man with endless dreams and passion. He showed potential in mathematics and numbers. He would've made a great statistician. 

“Kung saan man siya naroon, sana iguguide niya ang mga friends niya na nagmamahal sa kanya—, nawa’y magtagumpay kayo gaya ng mga pinapangarap ni Ezekiel,” his mother wished.

Ezekiel’s dreams didn’t pass away with him, it’ll continue to live on within the hearts of the people who believed in him. Knowing the kind of person that he was, his last wish would most likely be for everyone that he loved to continue living their lives and chasing after their own dreams. 

Moving Forward, Letting Go 

Ezekiel, embodying the lively sun that shines upon those in the dark, surely wouldn't like to know that without him, the people he cares for most are now stuck in it. So we need to learn to live with the grief, move forward, and eventually let it go.

“Kailangan na lang talaga natin siya i-let go, maging grateful na lang tayo na ‘di na siya naghihirap,” his Ate Azumi reminded his friends during her eulogy speech.

“I'll forever be grateful not just for the lessons he gave us, but for the blessing of lending us his time with indescribable joy,” one of his best friends reminisced.

17 years ago, on this day, the jolliest and most selfless boy was born. With the  short borrowed time from above, without a doubt,

he left a mark, forever engraved in our hearts. He’s now freely running around with Him in a world where there's no pain. Today,

let's take a moment to remember him and greet him with a happy birthday in our prayers, the way he happily greeted us in the hallway.

Happy birthday and rest easy, Ezekiel.