RIP Krisanto Jopanda and Avitha Rafael

-- If you have any pictures of Kuya Kris or Ate Vita please send them to hannie.kwak@gmail.com to be included in a slide show. --

This past Friday my friend took the life of the mother of his child and then took his own. His picture was all over the news on Friday as a murder suspect until the case ended Friday night when the police found him in Presidio Park. If details are that important to you then just google their names.

I've known them both for about 7 years now. They took me in for a while when I was going through a very rough time in my life and basically had no where to live. Kuya Kris always was about "tough love" he never let me get away with anything. I'm going to miss that constant guidance and kick in the butt. He always had my back no matter what. I can't describe what he means to me...

Not many people knew Ate Vita, she was always to herself. Didn't open up to people easily and I am so thankful that I am one of the few she let into her life. She was beautiful, strong, and one of the most real people I have ever known. This is my dedication to 2 of my friends I have lost.

You may read the articles and see the news and judge the situation. You may think my Kuya Kris is a coward for taking his own life after what he did. You may just simply think that he was a bad person. YOU may think whatever you want. All that matters now is the people that knew him. I know that he did this for love. Out of heart broken anger and pain... He loved my Ate Vita.

Kuya and Ate,
I'm sorry that I can't change what happened. I'm sorry that I wasn't a better friend to help you through the hurt you both were going through. A part of me is angry but a greater part of me is sad. I can't put into words how I feel, I really don't know how I feel... No one will ever understand the bond that we had and the things that we went through together. I don't know if I ever had a chance to tell you before but thank you. Thank you for taking me in and helping me get back on my feet. Thank you for putting up with my loud talking and laughing when you had work early the next morning. Thank you for teaching me to never back down. Thank you for always making sure I stood for what I believed in, wrong or right. Thank you for letting me get to know you and your son. Thank you for just being there... You are forever in my heart. I love you both so much.


This is not the typical song dedication you would expect. However, this song has a whole new meaning to me now...




Rest In Paradise Krisanto Jopanda & Avitha Rafael




I didn't post this to be morbid or attract sympathy. I did this for me, this is my way of being emotional and accepting what has happened. This is the way I thought it best to say good bye...