Ramyleo T. Pelayo '62 (b: Feb 18, 1943 - d: June 19, 2023)

".. Ramyleo Pelayo.TELAN!!!.." 

 That was how we ended our rendition of "Working on the Railroad" song - our "term of endearment" of him in our times. Wonder how many brods recall himself shouting that word "TELAN" in chorus. And he took it good-naturedly, as was his character. It was supposed to signify how well we knew his middle name, and only that. We knew his middle name, but we hardly knew him, as he was, in Churchill's famous description of the Soviet Union after WW II, a "riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.."

 Ramy was the quiet type, the kind who did not call attention to himself, a self-effacing fellow content to consign himself in a corner, quietly sipping his beer, or linger in the perimeter of a huddle...never butting in.....who spoke in whispers.. even a rare joke that quietly escapes his mouth, sounding unsure, is directed to one person only. He never addressed a group, he spoke only to one person at a time..even in a drinking session.... I never saw him in a bad mood, never heard any complaint or lamentation or tantrum from him, never heard him curse the corrupt dictator in the palace .. never uttered any gripe against any brod. He could only be a Stoic.

 The group of "drunken masters" was aware of another thing: he was brother-in-law of  Jesse Ejercito's brother, the late actor  "George Estreegan" who was married to Ramy's sister.  Remember one of Erap's love nest- themed in Japanese style -  in Sta Mesa? That Jesse used to borrow for our  beery friday nite sleepovers? Didn't Ramy reside there for sometime as resident-caretaker?

( hey "Mamang Hesus," if you're reading this, set this straight for me, OK?). but i recall occasional and lengthy conversations with him, discussions prompted by his questions about individualism. what is individualism? why be an individualist? how is that philosophy or ethics good for us? conversations like these led us to discussing Ayn Rand, like many students in school campuses that time...when she rose to popularity for her books The Fountainhead, Anthem, We the Living, and particularly  Atlas Shrugged. 

 Which is how and why i nicknamed him (as is my wont- christening my close brods) "Roark." ( Brod "Padre Damaso" you're the other brod asking  me these similar questions, do you recall having conversations about individualism with Ramy?) 

Up to the end, i do not know if this conundrum, if that is the right word to use, was ever fully resolved for him. Seems to me he resigned himself to Rilke's advice to a young poet, that there are questions in life that will remain unanswered, and therefore we can only courageously "live the questions."

I had not seen or spoken to Ramy for many years. I believe however, if I were to meet him tonight for a beer, we will resume our discussion of these same things, as if there were no intervening years, as if we had this conversation only last week. 

 Fare thee well, Brod Ramyleo. You are closer to me than I have let on and I regret that very much. You belong to my not-so- lengthy list of brods I'd be delighted to invite in my (imaginary) Friday nite beerfests. We can talk about about Roark's blowing up of the building or how good Dagny performed in bed. 

But if heaven follows PST, let's meet for a beer at five thirsty today,  and we'll will toast our memories of each other.

TELAN!!!!