You'll be missed Man Suk!

I could say that life in IWP won't be complete without Ha Man Suk.
Tom, as what we call him was one of the life inside **"Hell on the 18th Floor" during those times.
(My special nickname for IWP when I'm pissed.)

I still remember his first day of work quite vividly.  Tom was wearing a business suit one morning, talking to Mr. Kent. He doesn't look friendly and made an impression on us teachers that he's not easy to deal with. That was the time when we had our photo and video shoot and I was goofing in front of the camera and when he stubbornly caught my attention.

The guy who was in-charge of our conflict of schedules eventually became my friend and Hangul teacher.

While some of the teachers were really annoyed at his antics, he and I got to know each other most especially in our "yosi" breaks. I was fortunate to learn Tom's life and sacrifices.

Tom trying on a brassiere

For starters, the time when he was my colleague, he attended English classes, in which he's very careful of it because Mrs. Kim (our vice-president and wife of IWP owner) goes in that same academy. He taught Math in an academy for Koreans studying here in the Philippines before he goes to work at IWP. He also told me (and everybody) how much he wanted a Filipina for a wife in which we kept discouraging him. (lol!)
 
Aside from it, Tom was a devout Christian who spends his free time reading the Bible. Every time we talk, he never fails to share the goodness of the Word of God.

Yet despite the enormity of his Christian faith, Tom was one hell of a crazy guy. As I have said, teachers were really ticked off by his antics. When he jokes around, expect that you'll get hurt. But that's just him, I told some. It's part of Ha Man Suk's weird package. I've tolerated those moments such as when he pushes me in the corridor or deliberately take of his shoes for me to smell his pungent feet.

Tom is always up for challenge. Try giving him a dare and he'll do it. The most unforgettable were the times when he tried on my high heels and strutted in the ground floor, eventually breaking it (thank you anyway for the 500 bucks), the lipstick incident in which he had to wear it for the first half of the shift.

His idea of being funny was way harsh that most people disagree on. When Tom starts acting mental and he gets a ferocious tumult from my co-teachers, expect that he'll quickly turn his back like nothing has happened. Despite the things he did to us all, he's such a good sport and knows how to accept defeat. I remember one time when we saw his graduation photo placed neatly in a frame. We then decided to make an awful prank (half revenge) by putting candles and flowers and candies in front of it. We lit the candle and waited for him to enter his office. When he saw it, he just laughed and pretended to be angry. Then I got a huge blow in the back after that.

I had a moment with him on my last day with IWP and he took me to 711 nearby before we ended work. He bought me ice cream (which he often buys for us), a pack of cigarette, lighter, candies, and would you believe... a condom as souvenirs (Really, you have a weird humor. But it was a laugh)! While smoking, we talked about plans and our sentiments on our work then wished ourselves good lucks.

It wasn't the last time that I saw him. I've seen him during my quick visits to IWP but there were no talks like we used to have. I have heard stories, his love life, his new career in Cebu (which I think he enjoys since he didn't like Sharon's job offer for him at HP) and that he's very happy with his life.

Then today, when I opened my Facebook, I was very surprised to find out he's gone. According to the news from my former co-teachers, he went back to South Korea couple of months ago and then took his own life.

Unbelievable.

It's remorseful for such a good man to smother himself. The person I have always known was someone who has already straightened out his purpose in life, a responsible lad, a good motivator, a funny yet weird guy and a man who has great faith has relinquished the desires of life. Whatever that made him decide to face his demise, must be something really atrocious.

Anguish predominates everyone from IWP family.
But wherever you are now Tom, you'll always be a friend to me. To us.

내 친구가

, Rest in peace.

You will always be remembered.

선생님을 내 주셔서 감사합니다 당신을 너무.