Francis Norman Tolentino Yapchiongco '87 (+)

Death be not proud.

The other day, an old friend of mine was gunned down, in cold blood. In broad daylight. It was like Sonny Corleone, in "The Godfather".  This was real though.  Very real.  Out of twenty seven (27) shots fired, twelve (12) .45 cal slugs did him while he was parking a car that he just borrowed.  That’s right.  A dozen.  One or two could have done it.  It had to be twelve.   Sadistic. 

Francis Norman “Keats", aka "DJ KEATzhore", aka "Don Faco", aka "Kitty Yap", aka "KY” T. Yapchiongco was an old college buddy of mine.  He was an Agri-Business student high school honor student out of Batangas.  When I first met him, he had that thick Batangan accent that I actually thought was kinda off.  He was one of the first guys I met from those parts. 

Summer 1988, Keats in the center.

In Freshman year, we pledged to join a fraternity.  This is where I knew Keats better.  To match his loud, resounding voice, bearing and tough exterior, he had nerves of steel.  After pledging, Keats displayed not only bravery but also leadership.  He could walk with crowds while sticking to his class work schedules.  Eventually Keats led the fraternity becoming one of the better-known leaders of his time.  At an early age, he had good management and people skills.  Keats was also well respected in the circles he revolved in being upright and honorable.

He refurbished this BB in UPLB

After that "weekend that was college", Keats led a very colorful corporate career.  He learned his craft in stone works, made his bones and eventually got into his own construction business.  In the local construction industry, Keats was known for his top caliber work.   Keats even did post graduate studies and finished with distinction, again.

I rarely saw Keats except for the occasional reunions.  We would hang for a bit here and there until I heard he got hitched.   Keats had finally met the love of his life - Vhess.  They got together with their wonderful baby Dee.  In the times I saw him then, I saw how happy he was with his new family.  One time, I visited them and was driven to tears when his late wife prepared such a wonderful meal for me.  I was aghast.  The food was superb.  Home cooked and made with love.  Being alone, my food was good because I always “bought” them.  I envied Keats.  He had such a happy home. 

Years passed and Keats’s wife tragically passed due to sickness.  It was hard on Keats.  Keats immersed himself in work and again made ends meet and more.   He provided not only for his daughter but for his entire clan.  Keats’ nerves of steel kicked in.  Hard as it was for him, he bore the pain, stayed strong and coped with the situation, never breathing a word about his loss.  I could not never have done what he did.  Remaining composed, he kept it all together.

Signing contracts with his Legal Team, Manila Polo Club circa 2013

Around this time, I hung out with him a 

lot.  Eventually I would spend nights, even days at his home.  Crashing at Keats’ was like being in another world – happy, tranquil, full of love by his family and the food was always home style EXCELLENT!

Keats never ceased loving his wife.  I was there when he dated several women. Some were young, some were from foreign shores.  I could see it in his eyes that he still loved his wife dearly.  Keats held back for his daughter and the clan.  No one would measure up to Vhess.  I saw that look of love each day when he would light a candle by his late wife’s picture at his home – everyday.  Now that‘s real love right there.

KY's Love Story

Hanging out circa 1997

Keats hung with us again.  The adventure started.  Keats joined our “world”.  We took him back to our fold.  Through us, he met even more new friends, explored more opportunities and became more alive again.  

Keats was later known to us by many names:

Don Faco de Bohol.  He amassed property in the isle of Bohol.  One time while they were on a trip to that island, his late wife Vhess fell in love with the place.  Don Faco then promised his wife he would retire in that paradise.  True to his word, he was working on that.  Don Faco then became Paduan to the Jedi haciendero Jun J.  The “Estancia de Yapchiongco” is still a work in progress.  His partner haciendero, Don RJ Bagito will finish the villas. 

Don Faco after sponsoring a steak and whisky dinner at Dugout circa 2012 for Prof. Marcus Agustin of Ohio.

Keats also explored other business opportunities.  He invested in Bounce DJ School as a Director.  Not known to many, he was under the tutelage of Master DJ Danger Sanchez and already had a few gigs under his belt. In the underground club scene his moniker was “DJKY aka KEATS-Shore”.   By default he eventually became known simply as "KY".  KY did mostly drum and bass EDM in his sets. An original dance single was already being produced by international EDM producer "The China Syndrome". 

On one occasion, we ended up in a trendy bar flooded by artisans, Warhol types and people dressed in drag.  True to form, we had to comply.  For such activities, we called him “Kitty-Yap”.

KY was a great man.  His priorities were intact.  He loved his family first and foremost.  When his father succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease, he bore the cudgels of being family patriarch, a job he took seriously and with gusto.  In their clan, his word was LAW.  KY never complained and was rather happy to provide for his family, showering them with gifts to show his love.  

A rare pic of KY with artist cum DJ "El Peligro" and the other Bohol magnate Don RJ Bagito and their dates at the now closed Dugout.

To his friends, KY was equally generous. Money was nothing to him.   To KY money should be used merely as a tool and never worshiped.   KY also never hesitated to buy both simple and lavish gifts for those that he loved.  KY would treat dinners, donate to charitable causes and even send some of his friend’s kids to school.  Even when he was flat broke, he gave money away when needed.  

KY once spearheaded a project to build a classroom in an isolated island in Palawan with his high school classmates.  I was there.  I saw how happy the schoolchildren were.  The tribal chieftain even offered KY some land in his village as a token of gratitude! 

KY in Coron

KY was too generous.  Some would borrow money from him and dupe him outright.  At times KY was cheated by those close to him.  KY never blinked.  He never hated those that crossed him.   For him, it was "just" money.   Too much generosity on his part that is one of his faults.  I can’t blame him for that.  He gave a lot but in some twisted way, the universe gave to him back in greater proportions. I saw that happen many times.  Many doors just kept opening for KY.

An urban art tribute by Adolf Herman

KY was loved by many.  I saw that when I was welcomed into his family.  A peek at his FB profile will show how much he valued time with his family.  The Yapchiongco’s were like this other family I am close to, the Puyats.  They never judged.  They accepted friends like me as one of their own. Always, the door was open for people like me at their homes to this day.  Like his family, KY never judged people. 

Despite the glamour, the success, the money and power.  KY never let it go to his head.  He remained humble.  He knew where he came from.  He knew what really mattered most. Family.  Like his fave superhero, KY was Batman to many. To his family he was more like Bruce Wayne. 

KY was always strong even in the hardest of times. Often he chose to face whatever crisis by his lonesome. He was always strong.

Sadly, the adventure bloodily ends.

I wish I could have taken KY's place that day. I wish they took me instead.  KY had much more to live for.  So very much more.

Death, be not proud.  

You took a great man. A true leader, artist, renaissance man, even a poet.  KY was a good son, generous uncle, loving father, tried and true brother and most importantly a friend, to many.

Goodbye Don Faco, Keatshore, Kitty Yap KY.....my groupmate, friend and ka-batch.  It was a great ride KY. See you in the Sun. Tell me much.  

May God bless your soul. Fly to the angels & leave a light in heaven for us.  Those that did this to you will pay dearly. We promise you and your family. 


NUNCA OLVIDA 
#JFKY






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