What Miko’s death taught me

(Second of two parts)

Last Saturday, I traced the 40 days that followed the untimely death of Miko Sotto last Dec. 29, 2003. Below is the conclusion:

Jan. 5 – Three days after Miko Sotto is laid to rest, part of the young actor’s body comes back to life when his pair of corneas is given to five-year old Esmeralda Baribad whose eyes are operated on this day and to Jhunnalyn de la Peña who receives her new cornea the following day. The operations are arranged through the kindness of Eye Bank head, Dr. Dominga Padilla.

Jan. 6 – Family and friends gather at the function room of the Colonnade building in Makati to mark the ninth day of Miko’s death. Jhunnalyn is among the guests and through one of her eyes, Miko’s parents Ali Sotto and Maru Sotto once more see a part of their son.

Jan. 7 – Jessica Soho Reports features the story about Miko’s corneal donation and awareness about organ donations begins.

Jan. 8 – Miko’s family goes to his condominium for the first time since the accident and they go through his things and worn clothes – some of which Ali continues to wear from time to time. A brown butterfly hovers over them all throughout this time.

Jan. 10 – Ali appears on Startalk once again and we begin the campaign for organ donations.

Jan. 14 – I dream about Miko. It is a beautiful dream and here, he looks very young – when he was about 18 or 19 – with his face so much at peace. He kisses me on the cheek, thanks me and bids me goodbye. I share this dream with Ali and to this day, she too has been wishing that she would also dream about her beloved departed son.

Jan. 17 – Ali tries to have fun for the first time and attends Sandy Andolong’s birthday party at the Taste of LA restaurant in Tomas Morato. There is a band playing and Lorna Tolentino is singing when Ali’s cellphone rings very early in the morning. It is bad news again. Her father, Antonio, while attending a relative’s wake at the Arlington Funeral Homes, suffers a stroke and is brought to the hospital. The reports that reach Ali are sketchy (she doesn’t even know which hospital to look for her father) and she totally freaks out. Eventually she finds out that her father was rushed to UERM in Aurora Boulevard. She and husband Omar rush there.

Jan. 18 – With her father at the hospital, Ali cancels a scheduled interview in Subic with Mel Tiangco for Magpakailanman: The Jhunnalyn de la Pena Story. To make matters worse, her driver quits because as Ali puts it, "Hindi na niya nakayanan ang mga tribulations ko in life!" "Mas nauna pang bumigay sa iyo!" is my retort.

Jan. 27 – Ali’s older son Chino makes final arrangements to formalize The Miko Sotto Foundation, which family and friends try to put up to help expedite organ donations. But the Securities and Exchange Commission asks for a P1-million bank certificate, which realistically speaking is difficult to put together. Ali and Dr. Dominga Padilla have a formal talk and they agree on naming the Eye Bank to the Miko Sotto Memorial Fund of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines. For those who want to make a donation (some indigent patients may avail of organ donations, but oftentimes cannot afford the cost of operations), please make a deposit to BPI Forbes Park Account no. 0295-2792-65. To be a cornea donor, please call tel. no. 893-59-95.

Feb. 6 – The 40th day of Miko’s death. Family and friends again gather at the Colonnade for Mass officiated by Fr. Sonny Ramirez. It is a beautiful homily Fr. Sony delivers. According to him, a 97-year old priest from Manaoag saw a vision of Miko being brought by the Blessed Mother to Her Son Jesus Christ. This is very comforting to everyone–especially to Miko’s parents. Peace and love envelop the hall that instant. Even I am not so much afraid of death anymore after that.