Thank you, Paul Walker

I was thinking of writing about something else, when I read the news about the untimely demise of one of Hollywood's famous stars, Paul Walker of "The Fast and Furious" fame. He was forty years young. The news is both unbelievably ironic and sad. Walker was a passenger in his friend's sports car, when it lost control and hit both a light post and a tree, before exploding into flames. Anyone who knows the movie franchise knows what I'm talking about. In the movies, Walker always drove the cars to unbelievably fast speeds and stunts, but always walking away from them. Life does not always imitate art. I am just so glad he was not the one driving as that would have made more than ironic. That would have made it surreal. 

Filipinos are known to be a car crazy people, hence the popularity of the franchise. Recently, Vin Diesel came along with some of his co-stars to promote the last film. They appreciated the country very much and thanked their fans for continuing to support the franchise. It would have been nice if Paul Walker were with them. In a sense, he was.

Unknown to many, Walker founded the humanitarian organization Reach Out Worldwide in 2010 to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. He raised funds, sent teams to the country to help out the people. So when typhoon Yolanda devastated the Visayas region, Walker again mobilized the organization to help out. He came out with a plea, along with his co-stars, to help out the victims of the typhoon. He has actually sent a team to Tacloban. And here is where it gets sad.

When the accident happened, he was coming from a charity event to raise funds for Yolanda victims. I cannot count the number of times I have shook my head in disbelief and sadness at the whole story behind his untimely demise. He died coming from an event that was close to his heart. He died thinking how he could further help Yolanda victims. I still cannot believe it.

The Porsche sports car was unrecognizable in the photograph that is now online. I can just imagine how fast this car was traveling when it hit the light post. This why I believe that not just anyone should be driving high-performance cars like Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and the like. Driving these machines is not like driving the family car. With the amount of horsepower they have, they can very easily get away from you, as what obviously happened to the car Walker was in. There is an appropriate road for cars like this when pushed to their capabilities are eagerly tested. And it really takes a skilled driver to control these beasts.

Here in the country, we have had our share of accidents caused by super fast cars like the Evolutions, Skylines and the Imprezzas. Accidents that happened because the drivers underestimated the cars, and overestimated their skills. In my humble opinion, buyers of cars like these must undergo some form of training first, before even being allowed to use them on the street. Young people have lost their lives driving cars such as these. The accidents almost always horrific.

Paul Walker will be missed. I don't know how the franchise will be handled in future films, as he was a central character. But more than that, his philanthropic nature will be missed even more. Many Filipinos may unknowingly owe Paul Walker for his help in the Visayas. Something the humble actor doesn't flaunt around. He just helps, without recognition and reward. Quite rare in Hollywood, even over here.

Thank you, Paul Walker. The country thanks you. The world is much sadder with your passing.