Two Funerals And A Contrast

Watching the news, I found it fascinating the contrast between two deaths, two funerals.

FPJ died of a stroke, of a natural cause. The stress of age on one’s health took his life. Some want people to believe he died of a broken heart because he was cheated out of victory in the last elections, but these people obviously have a political agenda to push. FPJ ran but didn’t make it to the highest government position in the land.

KC de Venecia died in a fire that razed their home. She was only 16 years old when her life was taken by an unfortunate accident. She is the youngest daughter of Speaker Jose de Venecia.

In FPJ’s wake and subsequent funeral, hordes and hordes of ordinary folk lined up to catch a glimpse of the King of Philippine Showbiz. Not surprisingly, some of his showbiz friends (some, like Erap, also in politics) kept politicizing his death. They were obviously pushing their own agenda. The funeral mass at times sounded like a miting de abanse.

Meanwhile, KC’s funeral was attended by Pres. GMA (who was barred by rabid FPJ supporters from visiting his wake). The attendees were mostly family and friends. The mood was solemn, a celebration of life. Those who attended were asked to come in white and pastel.

It was very glaring, the huge divide between the two—the masses and the elite.