My mom just lost her dear friend and discipler to a horrible fire last Sunday. Tita Nitz almost made it out of the burning house, but then decided to go back and rescue her daughter and grand daughter, with two helpers and a niece, who were still trapped inside. Her husband, Tito Amante, ran into the fiery inferno in an effort to help his wife search for the remainder of the family, and all together, they died in what the news later called as the human bonfire of seven.
In just three hours, almost three fourths of the Marquezes perished.
Tita Nitz and Tito Amante are survived by their firstborn and only son, Alvin, and youngest daughter Grace. To this day, it makes me want to cry whenever I recall the horrendous incident. It was so traumatic for Alvin and Grace, who had to jump off the second floor of their house just to escape death. But it was more harrowing for Grace, who literally saw her whole family burn alive, and could not do anything to rescue them from that situation. In three hours' time, Alvin and Grace were left orphaned by that terrible incident. They also lost everything, except the very clothes they were wearing when they cheated death, and Alvin's car, which thankfully, he parked some blocks away from the house, and which was spared from being razed to the ground.
The deaths of our loved ones really remind us that life on earth is short. Everything else will fade away. Nothing will remain. All of us will eventually die; it's only a matter of time. Truly, in the final analysis, what really matters is how we've spent our time here on earth. On our deathbeds, no one will surely be regretting that she didn't do overtime work this week, or that he didn't beat the deadlines. We won't be doing a rundown of all the accolades and accomplishments we had. No one will be frantically searching for office files or sign memos. With our last breath, I'm sure everyone of us will definitely look for all members of our families, and take one long look at the faces of our loved ones and recall for the last time the memories they will leave us with. On our deathbeds, what truly counts is our relationships, and not our possessions.
So, let's say our I love you's more often. Forgive and forget. Spend more time with our moms, dads and our siblings. Hug our nephews and nieces tighter. Renew our friendships. Initiate reconciliations. Visit our grannies more frequently. Give of ourselves wholly and unconditionally to God and His causes. Listen more. Talk less. Share. Serve. Be positive. Be generous with praises and appreciation.
Pretty soon, it's going to be time's up for us. And there's little time left to get ready for that day.
Manuel C. Balucanag
This is it. 
Franco ponders the afterlife.
The list of descendants should have been longer. I should have brought more paper.
To this day, I can not believe that I saw my lolo in there.
Farewell.
Kiddieland: Franco David Viernes (great grandchild), Luis Meginio (adopted great grandchild), Carl Ricah Hidalgo (great grandchild), JB Hidalgo (great grandchild), Diego Reuben Viernes (great grandchild)and Janna Balucanag (grandchild).
Funny boy Diego tries to brighten up the mood.
Mama is flanked by her two eldest grandsons. 
Last glimpse.
A hug of comfort from Bunsoy.
Ricah and me again. Si kulot at si tuwid (na buhok).
Portrait of a family.
Ang angkan kong samok hehe :)
All accounted for: Tito Rene, Tita Glo, Tita Luz, Tito Raul, Mama and Tito Ric
Bunsoy demonstrates to me that he'll always be there for Tita Isa :)