This site is a tribute to Walter Friend Labayen, who was born in the Philippines on July 28, 1933. He traveled ahead to Heaven to prepare a home for his wife and family on May 25, 2015. In life, he was a no-nonsense man. His language of love was through hard work and providing for his family. He always had a job and, when he retired, he worked security. He even mopped floors at Circle K at night, when funds were short. As a young teen, he learned to lead and provide for his mother and siblings, after his father passed. As a young father, on Sundays, he took his children to church, to the swings by the sea wall, and treated them to butter and sugar coated waffle cakes at Bacolod plaza. He was not a praying man, but he made sure his young children prayed. He was not a saint, by any means, because he was always in trouble with Mom. But, he loved his wife and doted on her from the time he laid eyes on her at school to the day he died, and beyond. He was a simple man. He did the best he could with what he knew and what he had.  He is a much loved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and he will forever be remembered.

Do Not Stand By My Grave and Weep 
By Mary Elizabeth Frye 

Do not stand on my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond's glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds incircled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. Look to the sky.