20
Oct
I post here far too seldom, but I had planned a happy, funny post for today.
This isn’t that post.
I just heard that Alwyn, our head of Kalye Ferdinand—our street child outreach program—died last night. Alwyn wasn’t just the head of Kalye Ferdinand—he was Kalye Ferdinand, through and through. And Kalye Ferdinand was him.
Nothing made him happier than making street children happy. His whole life he had been poor, scraping by and trying to survive, so his heart was with the poor. Street children weren’t looked down upon by him, he didn’t serve up morality lessons or lecture them. They weren’t his subjects. They were his equals. And they loved him like nobody else. When Alwyn walked down the street, crowds of children would flock to him like he was a pop sensation. They idolized him.
Yesterday, I got an email from Alwyn, and in the deluge of messages that fill my inbox, I deemed it least important and didn’t reply to it in time. Sometime late last night, he was stabbed on the street in an apparent hold up.
God, I should have sent that email.
I can’t state how greatly I miss Alwyn. And I know he’s equally missed by every life he’s touched. All further progress by Kalye Ferdinand will be dedicated to the memory and honor of Alwyn V. Cortez.
Posted by nz
on
Oct 20 10
at
8:08 pm
He’s too young to die… but maybe God had a plan for him. Though I don’t really know Alwyn, I still believe that he has done a great job even in such short years of his life. I know for sure, his spirit will watch over the growth of Ferdinand Center.
Posted by Lester
on
Oct 20 10
at
8:11 pm
Thanks for commenting, Nez. I’m going to his family’s house today for the wake, and I’ll be sure to give them your message.
Posted by Jerry Nelson
on
Oct 20 10
at
8:17 pm
This is a great tribute to a young man who will be remembered for his love of the young street children of the Philippines.
Rest in peace Alwyn. The work will continue. You will be greatly missed.
Posted by Re
on
Oct 20 10
at
8:28 pm
Oh Les, I am so sorry. My thoughts are with you and his family and friends.
Posted by Gilbert Lee
on
Oct 20 10
at
8:44 pm
This is sad. Thanks for sharing his story. He has definitely made an impact to many kids in the short time he lived.
Posted by Leland Taylor II
on
Oct 20 10
at
10:15 pm
In the short time I was able to know Alwyn (albeit on Facebook) I found him to be very passionate about life whenever I talked with him. The community he lived in has lost a very compassionate advocate of it’s youth, a gentle soul. Les please convey my condolences to his family. And I am so very sorry for your loss my friend. I love you.
Leland Taylor II
Posted by Ikeng
on
Oct 20 10
at
10:27 pm
I’m very sorry to hear about your friend’s passing, Les…
Posted by gagongpalaboy
on
Oct 20 10
at
10:46 pm
Condolences to Alwyn’s family. I’m sure he will be greatly missed by the people and the kids whom he have shared and dedicated his goals and his life to. May this not hamper, but rather be a sign to look forward and be fruitful in the days ahead.
Posted by Leeta Stevens
on
Oct 21 10
at
12:54 am
Taos pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya ni Alwyn Cortez. I still cannot understand why good people die so young, I don’t know Alwyn, but has been reading post about him, like that birthday blow out for street children was one amazing initiative that came from him……Hoping for more people like Alwyn will come out…..you will be miss greatly, Alwyn, and may you rest in peace.
Posted by Yvette Neal
on
Oct 21 10
at
3:51 am
I am so sad to hear of Alwyn’s passing. I Alwyn through Les and we had many long conversations vis Facebook chat and became friends. Alwyn had a heart of gold, was very sweet and compassionate and cared a lot about others, especially the children he spoke so affectionately of. I will fiercly miss him, I had promised we would meet in person after I graduated…..so I had planned on visiting him next year. 
See you in the cosmos someday, Alwyn………rest in peace, the universe is lucky to have your soul. <3
Posted by Yvette Neal
on
Oct 21 10
at
3:53 am
*I met Alwyn
*via Facebook
(I work night shifts as a nurse at a psych hospital so my typing skills are currently impaired)
Posted by Lynne Mandani
on
Oct 21 10
at
4:36 am
Les,please convey my condolences to Alwyn’s family at ganun din sa iyo at sa mga batang tinutulungan ni Alwyn
this is so sad and so unfair.
Rest in Peace Alwyn
dun sa gumawa nito,there is a special place in hell for you to rot in
Posted by Jeff Gurney
on
Oct 21 10
at
6:30 am
I have known Alwyn for some time through Facebook and chatted to him on many occasions, he is also a close friend of my best friend Leonard. Leonard phoned me this morning to tell me of the tragic news of his death.
I am so shocked that such a nice, caring and good persons life should be taken in this way. He will be greatly missed but never will he be forgotten. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family.
I am truly sad, shocked and lost for words. Rest In Peace my dear friend, I will see you on the other side.
Posted by boner hamor
on
Oct 21 10
at
7:54 am
Alwyn you are a great person that i know in my life marami tayog mga pinagdaanan na hirap pero u still a strong person at matapang ka, i know na nasa mabuti kanang kalagayan ngayon at makakapiling mo na ang ang ating poong lumikha u will remain in our hearts and mind kaming mga kabiigan mo sa hirap man o ginhawa we are all so proud of you and god will give justice remember god is good yan ang lagi mong sinasabi sakin wag ka mawalan ng pag asa tsang ganyan talaga ang buhay pero life is unpredicatble talaga nauna ka lang daya mo, salamat sa lahat alwyn sa mga payo mamiss ka namin i love you so much friend…………
Posted by toni david-wright
on
Oct 21 10
at
10:16 am
My condolences to Alwynn’s family.I would like to help out to continue his legacy.I live here in US,and I would like to do something in his memory.Please advice me what I can do.May the choirs of Angels lead him to Paradise.He is a saint!
Posted by des
on
Oct 21 10
at
12:58 pm
so sorry to hear of his passing sometimes the world isn’t just fair.
Posted by Creizer
on
Oct 21 10
at
5:56 pm
Thanks for everything… We will miss you bro, but we’ll bring with us your memories…
Posted by rizaldy estimada
on
Oct 21 10
at
6:41 pm
wyn… hope u are happy now with god… and im sure u know now who is the real people and who was not.. and just pretending… magiging ninang kapa nmn sana… huhuhu… sabi mo nga diba tayo tayo din magkikita sa finals… we love you wyn.. naging bahagi kana ng buhay nmn ni mara….
Posted by lee
on
Oct 22 10
at
2:11 am
my condolences to alwyn’s family, you may rest in peace…
Posted by lalaine parado
on
Oct 22 10
at
5:58 am
we will miss u aLwyn… ur such good person.. hustisya para sau aLwyn… Rest in peace…
Posted by sean colcombe
on
Oct 22 10
at
6:07 am
so sorry to hear about alwyns passing, he was a lovely guy, allways smiling, may god bless him and his family,
i will be visiting manila april 2011 for 19 days, i would like to get involved with the out reach programme for a few days in memory of alwyn.
my name is sean colcombe, wales united kingdom, thank you…(seancolcombe8@aol.com)
Posted by trippermania
on
Oct 22 10
at
7:37 am
we will miss you alwyn aka orion_soul we love you so much and tnx for all advices you gave it to me i will not forget you..you will stay your good memories in my heart lov you so much,, you may rest in peace :’(
Posted by Dino Manrique
on
Oct 22 10
at
10:14 pm
Hi Lester,
Sorry this is a bit late. I’m deeply sorry to hear about the death of your friend Alwyn. The way he died reminds us Filipinos that we still have a long way to go in fixing this mess of a country we are in. That’s why we are extremely grateful that people like you are going out of your way to help.
I don’t know Alwyn, but from what I’ve read, he really had a kind and generous soul. His short life will definitely be an inspiration to all Filipinos and everyone who’s trying to get this country back on its feet.
Please extend to Alwyn’s family our condolences and let them know that we are praying for them, and praying that whoever took their loved one away from them may be brought to justice. Our prayers and condolences also go out to you, Lester, and your colleagues.
And please let us know if there’s something we can do to help.
Dino
Posted by nadz
on
Oct 23 10
at
12:47 am
in behalf of encore family we would like to extend to the family of alwyn our sympathy and condolences. you may have rest in peace alwyn.
Posted by jojo buendia
on
Oct 23 10
at
3:02 am
huhuhuuh ma miz ko crushy soul ko uhuhuhhu crushy pa naman ang tawagan namin hhuhuhu supper bait nya taga pag tangol ko sya at sumbungan ng mga prob ko bout love lyf at sa lahat ng prob ko he always there para maiyakan ko at nag papalakas sa akin… mamizz kita soul huhuhuuh!!!
Posted by daysitoms
on
Nov 30 10
at
5:19 am
The good die young, they say. All salute to this ordinary guy who had an extraordinary love for the poor, most especially, the children. Maybe one day, one of the kids he’s helped would become someone and the child would be able to pass on what he learned from this guy. It may already be too late, but my prayers go to the family and friends of Alwyn.
Posted by Jim Scott
on
Dec 02 10
at
1:15 am
We will always love you Alwyn and know you are in the hands of Jesus. I regret that I never got to meet you in person in this life, but one day will greet you in heaven.
Posted by Kent Evans
on
Jan 11 11
at
2:47 am
I never had the chance to meet Alwyn in person but based on Lester’s post and the comments, he’s been nothing but a great guy to his family and to the street children. All these comments/condolences and his short story about being Kalye Ferdinand touched my heart in many ways. Its very inspiring. It actually made me realise how important our lives are and how many people will miss us when were gone. To Lester, Im very sorry about your loss mate and to his family as well. To Alwyn, wherever you are, may you rest in peace. Everything that you did for Kalye Ferdinand, all of your missions and visions will continue and grow. See you on the flip side mate!
Posted by Jim Scott
on
Jul 15 13
at
5:10 pm
I still miss you Alwyn. I know you are in the hands of God.
Posted by Jim Scott
on
Jun 27 14
at
2:41 pm
I was talking to a friend from Tondo today, and I thought about you. I feel a deep hurt for your being taken from us so early and violently. I have been crying now. I love and miss you my friend. You were special to me.
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