LIFE as a high school student in UST was my son Tyrel’s best, so he lived it to the fullest.
In 1994, when Tyrel Napoleon passed the UST Pay High School entrance examination, he told me that he jumped so high with one fist raised to the heavens as he shouted, “Thank You, Lord, for Your Blessing!”
As an incoming freshman, Tyrel became excited yet apprehensive, knowing that high school meant more rigid schedules and serious studies just to achieve his own personal goals. But he had his ambitions and dreams with all his plans underway. It was in UST that Tyrel became focused—his moral values were molded, his direction became clear. He was proud to become a Thomasian.
Tyrel was also a kind and patient friend. No matter how busy and absorbed he was in his studies, he would find time to listen to his classmates’ problems and to give advice when needed. He was truly concerned for those who sought his help.
He actively participated in school activities, projects, research studies, and school displays too, which led to him being assigned as a leader in school projects.
Of his many experiences as a high school student, I remember the two which left an impact on him.
The first incident occurred one morning, when he walked almost ten blocks from home to school to avoid the heavy traffic. A man accosted him with an ice pick and demanded for his wallet and watch. Tyrel merely stared at the man, as asked him to leave two pesos for a jeepney ride home. He then surrendered what the man wanted without bothering to look at which direction his assailant took. Afterwards, he learned that many of his schoolmates were also victims of the same incident. They had managed to simply laugh at it after.
The second incident was what I considered as a “senseless pasttime” – leaning against the door frame of a classroom and sliding slowly down to the floor for fun. But during this, Tyrel had a bad fall as he slid down to the ground so fast, landing forcefully on his bottom. He said he felt excruciating pain after so his friends suggested he be brought to the Health Service, but Tyrel requested them to bring him to his home instead.
I urged my son to have his lower back x-rayed, which he promised he would do but failed to do so because he became preoccupied with school work and activities.
The incident was forgotten for some time until I later noticed that my son had difficulty sitting up straight, lifting heavy objects, or picking up things from the floor. He also started complaining constantly of mild to severe headaches, which he would cast aside, making me think that what he was experiencing were just stress-induced.
Life went on for Tyrel, just like other normal guys his age. But another life-changing event caused him to deviate from his activities.
It was during the later part of his senior year that Tyrel developed a severe skin allergy. He attended his classes even when the rashes and the itching made him feel uncomfortable. He became conscious of his appearance as the allergy affected his whole body. His condition progressed and we consulted several doctors and dermatologists, quack doctors even, in desperation to find a cure. We eventually met the kind Dr. Ritualo, who recommended Tyrel for an indefinite leave of absence from school. At one time, the principal and the faculty suggested he stop and wait for summer to complete his fourth year, which I disagreed to, promising them that my son would catch up. But Tyrel did make it, even attending the last retreat outing of the senior class.
At the moment of his graduation, he stood side-by-side with his friends and, batch mates, which he considers as his second family. I knew he was glad that he finished high school and that he was looking forward for his new life in college.
Tyrel wanted to pursue Advertising in UST, but was not accommodated. The day he came home with that news is one of the memories I will never forget, for I had seen the pain and misery of rejection in his eyes. He was offered a course in Engineering, but he declined. He then enrolled at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran for a B.A. in Mass Communication. In the first semester of his sophomore year, he started to get sick that he had to forego the second semester in 1999 for his sudden and abrupt illness.
As a son and brother, Tyrel was caring, loving, and protective, and oftentimes took the role of “man of the house,” since his father was often away for work. Even school activities did not deter him from doing his chores at home. Though he was just a teenager, he handled responsibilities maturely.
Forever printed in my mind is one particular night when he gathered us (his three elder female siblings, his father, and I) to watch his new CD. Halfway through the film viewing, we were shocked when Tyrel calmly but seriously said that he strongly felt he would be the first “victim” of the family. I admonished him not to joke on such matters, but he only smiled and said, “Wanna bet?”
Another time, he cajoled me to play sentimental music for him out of a whim. He even closed the doors and the windows, then he sat and held me tight. The music filled the house and he kept silent until I noticed he was silently crying. When I asked him why, he told me he just wanted to, no reason at all.
As he leaves for school, he would bid me goodbye three times, but would abruptly open our door or knock at the window to let me know he was still there. And when he comes home from school, his words would always be “Where is Ma?” He would then always embrace me from behind, lift me up, or even ask me to run up the stairs so that he can run after me simply because he wanted to hold me— as if never wanting to let go. Such were his antics at home.
It turned out his prediction did come true. On the early morning of June 17, 2000, my Tyrel passed away after a grueling battle with an illness—he had a brain tumor when was barely 19.
Tyrel was so full of life, he wanted to do so many things, but time was not on his side. He would have been 28 years of age last September 2.
My short time with him has taught me several lesson, which I wished to impart to the readers of this article.
To the parents out there, love your sons. Guide and inspire them for you’ll never know what the future may bring.
To you students who will have the chance to read this message, strive hard and do your very best – reach for your dreams.
Enjoy life, for you only live once.
*The author of this story, Katherine Baguilat, graduated with a degree in Foods and Nutrition in 1973.
