Jeffrey loved life and died for his friends

Jeffrey loved life and died for his friends

By Marlou S. Tiro

IMAGINE yourself sitting in front of a television set with a group of friends, eating popcorn and drinking cola. Then here comes a wacky guy appearing on screen with a microphone on hand and talks endlessly on everything under the sun. You see him acting like any professional journalist in one setting and the next minute, you see him making faces; either he is mimicking a typical comedian like Filipino actor Dolphy or the hilarious talk show master David Letterman. He frowns, twists his mouth and jumps from one corner to the other. After watching the show, you would definitely say, ‘what a highly spirited guy!’

That was Jeffrey Reodica caught on camera like any other skilled performer. Everyone has mourned his demise; only the video tape made him alive once again.

Anybody who watched his last school performance on tape could not help but say, “If only he was still here”. His close friends who watched the tape did not know whether they would laugh or cry. Sad to say, his friends could not even congratulate him “for a job well done.” His father, Willie, apparently, forgot at that moment that his son was gone. Media visitors who were able to watch could only shake their heads; visibly feeling sorry and said, “gosh, he could have been a journalist.”

Like any other young teen-age boy, Jeffrey was energetic and full of life. He was a young and talented boy who can aptly demonstrate what it takes to be a real entertainer. His death was unacceptable to those who treasured his company.

“He was full of life,” recalls Jeffrey’s mom Flora. His mother never forgot the last time she spoke to him. “He was very enthusiastic and excited as he filled the application form for an educational tour to Italy. I even asked him if he had money. He said that he would save from his part time job in Krispy Kream donut shop. I knew he could do it because he was hardworking”.

During the press conference held at the Filipino CommunityCentre-Toronto, several members of the Filipino community expressed their mixed feelings of shock and anger at the way he died. To many, there were so many questions left unanswered. “I didn’t know if this painful. Everything went so fast,” added Flora as she talked to the press while holding back her tears. “I am angry and so hurt. My son was killed as if he was a criminal.”

Jeffrey’s uncle, Paul Gamila echoed Flora. “I just could not understand why it happened to a every unlikely person. He was just like any other ordinary kid who loved to play around and have fun.”
Seventeen-year-old Jeffey Reodica who died on Monday, May 24th, was a hero to everyone who knew him. He was a loyal friend, a significant father figure to his nephew Ty, an obedient son and a Filipino by heart.

“He died because he cares for his friends so much,” Jeffrey’s mom said. On that fateful Friday, he saw his friends protecting themselves from a group of teens who have been known to be bullies in the neighborhood. For Jeffrey, it was high time to teach these bullies a lesson. His cousin was the first victim of this notorious group. What hurt Jeffrey so much was the insult hurled against his friends.
According to one of his friends, “Jeffrey felt furious when he knew that we were told to go back to Philippines and eat rice. Of course, these words infuriated Jeffrey. He is the type who could not stand his loved ones being mistreated.”

As a student of Jean Vanier Catholic School, Jeffrey’s comical nature made him popular in the school campus. “He just had the habit of making everyone laugh.” said one of his friends, Mark Cantos. “He had the habit of making fun of people and make funny faces. Sometimes he went to the extent of trying your patience with all the bad jokes. However, he knews when we were about to get angry. He knews how to pacify us with his tender words.”

For Jeffrey, life was not simply all fun. He also had his moments of reflection and spiritual fulfillment by being an active member of the Youth for Christ. Likewise, his frivolity was complimented by his inner compassion to help others. According to one of his relatives, Jeffrey offered shelter to one of his friends who were almost in the brink of committing suicide because of family problems. In other words, Jeffrey was always the “light and savior during his friend’s darkest hour.”

If there is anyone who misses Jeffrey dearly, it is his four-year-old nephew Ty (pronounced as Tai). Jeffrey personally dropped him each morning to school. In fact, all of Ty’s classmates knew him as the uncle Jeff. For Ty, he was the only father he knew. They played and ate together. When Ty was born, Jeffrey painstakingly attended to all his needs from changing diapers, feeding and bathing him. “Ty basically grew up with him,” said Robyn Reodica, elder sister of Jeffrey. “Ty does not know any other father except Jeffrey. Ty covers his ears everytime he hears news about Jeffrey on the television. I feel angry and hurt that I was not with him. He was always there for me. However, on his final hours, I was not with him.”

Jeffrey may be gone but his memory will always live to those who love him. He died for his friends and stood by his principle. Perhaps if he were alive, he would echo the words of famous Nobel prize winner Marie Curie in saying, “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.”