Remember Your Dreams, Young Man (For Marben)

We remember you as a curly-haired boy in pajamas
picking me up after night classes at UP Law
and within those hallowed halls you decided
what your future would be...
Remember those dreams, young man

In grade school, your teacher asked all of you
what do you want to be when you grow up,
listening to all professions named you never settled;
as sure and unblinking you replied
- to be the President of the Philippines

You always knew what you wanted
and was willing to work hard for it;
for a generation blessed with wikipedia and google,
I saw you do diligent research on the internet
as you tried to finish a paper for school

the youngest ever to learn how to drive,
you were driving around San Carlos by fifteen;
you single-handedly arranged a day-trip to Sipaway Island,
negotiating with the boatman, arranging for our packed food,
and planning the whole island itinerary

even then we knew, we had faith in you
because you made us believers in your abilities
So know that even when we make bad decisions for ourselves
it is always our choice if they remain mistakes or Life's lessons learned
Remember your dreams, young man...

GPL 7/12/2014