It’s a gloomy afternoon in the field today as we, the Nueva Vizcaya Football Club said goodbye to our family member, Mark Christopher Araneta, who died of stroke early morning July 6, 2019.

Kuya Makoy, if we only knew it was your last game with us, we could have played a better one. If I only knew this would be your last photo with us, I would have taken a better shot. 

There was something really odd that Thursday game, I remember. It was the first time I played side by side with you in the frontline. After the game, It was the first time you gave me a ride home in your tricycle. It was the first time we had a conversation outside of football. As you dropped me off in front of our house you said goodbye.

“Sa Monday na ako, Vi.”

To which I replied, “Sige, kuya. See you on Monday!”

We parted. You honked. I waved goodbye. The next day you had a stroke.

What a meaningful, goodbye. Especially for me who has been consistently thinking of death the past weeks.

Thank you, kuya, for being a good friend and teammate. Ever since I met you, you’ve been around, quietly supporting my football initiatives…
You were there even in my persistent calls for selfies and groufies…

We will miss you in our games…
We will miss your quiet but reliable presence…

We will miss seeing you and your little son, Ice, hiding behind you.

We will miss your precise passes, powerful kicks and amazing goals…

Thank you for proudly wearing our uniform and showing the younger generation what passion for the game is all about. Team Thunders will always remember you.

Thank you for all the games you played with and for us.

Salamat for being a true-blooded NuViz Footballer, all the way! Your last afternoon on earth was even in a football field.

You were that silent rainbow who smiled the clouds away. Nice game, nice game, ’til next time, we’ll meet again to play.