Good evening, everyone.

Firstly, I would like to thank you all for being here to

help Austine Mae’s family and friends celebrate her life. Austine Mae, or "Mae," as
we often call her, was my best friend. We’ve been good friends since our elementary
days and up until now.
Mae, as I knew her, was a good daughter, a good student, and a good friend.
Medyo maldita nga lang, pero she was kind naman to those people who were kind to
her. Siya yung tipo ng tao na kung ano ang ipakita mo ang attitude towards her, ayon
rin ang ibabalik niya sa’yo. Mae and I have been through thick and thin together. We
experienced a lot of crazy stuff. Moments where we are genuinely happy, moments
where we are sad or in pain, and others that turn out to be good memories for both
of us. I remembered there were times na papasok ako ng school during our junior
high school years na walang baon because of financial problems, and she was kind
enough to share her snacks with me kahit alam niyang kulang rin sakanya yung baon
niya. She even kept money just for my fare pauwi para daw, hindi na ako
maglalakad. She really never fails to surprise everyone with her actions. She was
thoughtful and generous. She was a girl who had a lot of dreams and who thought
ahead. Lagi ‘yan nagkukwento about her plans for the future. How she wanted to be
a flight attendant, attend concerts of our favorite K-pop boy groups, how she wanted
to travel the world, earn tons of money for her future, and settle in a place where
she felt at ease. andami niya gustong marating. She’s a risk-taker kase. Hindi siya
takot sumubok ng mga bagay bagay And I admire her for it. We considered each
other as a human diaries. She shares everything to me Even when she first diagnosed
with Sarcoma cancer , ako una niya tinawagan. She even said, "Wag ka mag alala
kase magpapagaling ako. Hindi ako pwedeng sumuko kase marami pa akong
pangarap.” ayan ang statement niya that time. She was brave enough to go through
with it, especially at a young age. And I am so proud of her for being strong and for
being brave.
Pero those plans will not be passed now.The world lost an amazing person on
December 5, 2020. My best friend died exactly 2 days after my 18th birthday, 3 days
after we visited her. She was only 17 when her body finally gave out and got to rest.
She was with her family and she went peacefully, which is all any of us can hope for,
I suppose.
To be completely honest, I was left feeling empty when I found out about her
passing, and I'm not sure whether that feeling will ever go away. But by
remembering myself of the love Austine left behind and the lives she touched and
inspired while she was here, I'm trying to get through. Although this memorial is a
happy occasion, we cannot deny that sadness is still present. Austine was most
definitely a force, and when someone like that suddenly disappears from your life, it
takes some time to recover. I hope everyone will join me in remembering and
celebrating Austine today, and always.
And to you, My Dearest Austine, you left this world far too soon. And I shall
await to the day that I will see you again. Do not worry, Mae. I cherish you and I am
so proud of you. you love and you are always loved. you fought so bravely, and you
inspired so many. Nobody who ever knew you, Mae, will ever forget you. We will
not.I will not. Now, you can finally rest and when I get there, we'll meet again. With a
broken heart, I celebrate your life.