Rio (An Excerpt)

From Rio, The River of Strength, the Diaz family feature I wrote for Good Housekeeping's Nov/Dec 2004 issue.

We’re all singing for Rio.

This isn't your ordinary memorial service. Tonight, for nearly two hours, Rio’s family, friends and brothers and sisters in the Christian Community Fellowship have been celebrating her incredible spirit with songs, testimonials, videos and prayers. We should be tired, from all the standing and singing and crying, but strangely enough, we feel more alive now than we’ve ever been in years.

Later, they show photos of Rio in a pink wig, smiling her indefatigable smile; then other shots, where she’s much thinner but still in high spirits, hugging her children Claudia and Jaime on the beach, during mascot parties and their trips to the park; pictures of her holding hands with her son Ali while she’s in bed, wires and tubes dangling from her arms; and finally, holding her husband, Negros Occidental Rep. Charlie Cojuangco, whose wide girth still managed to fit perfectly in Rio’s embrace.

Now, he’s in the front row with the rest of his family, and it’s all he can do before he too, like the rest of us, begins to weep. But he is still calm, dignified in his grief, his voice only wavering slightly when he gives his speech. “If Rio were here tonight,” he says, “she would tell us, place not unto me your attention, but rejoice and shower your love on the Lord.”

*I can't put the entire article here, because, well, that means you won't go out and buy yourself a copy when it comes out. :)