“That’s what they always say — everything happens for a reason. What is that?”
Marco Sison (left) on late grandson Andrei Sison (right): “He’s so kind. He has no vices. During the pandemic days, even when he bought candy at the store, he couldn’t go out. So when his father said, ‘Don’t go,’ he wouldn’t leave. That’s all. Well, they say, if he does that, he’s so kind, the Lord takes him. But no, for me, there must be a deeper reason why that is.”
PHOTO/S: Jerry Olea / Sparkle GMA Artist Center
Marco Sison has many questions regarding the passing of his 17-year-old grandson Andrei Sison on March 24, 2023.
“I don’t want to ask… about the design,” Marco gestured to Nasa Itaas during The Class of OPM’s mediacon on April 10, 2023, Monday afternoon, at Gerry’s Grill, Morato Ext., Quezon City.
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“That’s just how it is, of course, that’s what they always say — everything happens for a reason. What is that?
“So, I said, ‘That I have to find out.’ I’ll wait for that in the coming days, months or years if that’s what it is,” the veteran singer shrugged.
“For what reason, right? Because what happened to me, seemed… like a sacrifice.
“For something what? Bigger, better, brighter? He’s so full of life, right? So promising, so talented… and then, nothing. That’s all.
“He hasn’t even experienced the… the joy of a person’s life.”
THE PECULIAR INCIDENT WHEN ANDREI WAS 18 MONTHS OLD
Marco’s smile was full of bitterness. He paused as he spoke.
The veteran singer continued, “But it’s strange, something happened there, when he was about 18 months old.
“He fell from the third floor of the condo they were staying in. Nothing happened to him, huh.”
“Nothing happened. It looks like he just had a scratch. Actually, his father, Alain, panicked about what happened.
“I said, ‘Take him to the hospital right away.’ But I guess, nothing serious really happened.”
Did Andrei have a guardian angel then?
“Maybe. Because he was 18 months old, right? He was practically a baby. And then… here, you’re in the car, you’re wearing a seatbelt, right?
“All the protection, airbags, everything… oh, it’s gone. It’s like that.”
THE TRAGIC NEWS about Andrei’s death
Andrei’s father, Alain, called Marco and told him about the tragedy.
“Of course, when that happens, it’s like a deafening blow,” Marco said again, smiling.
“You don’t know if it’s true, then dad… you’re a dad, are you joking like that?”
He didn’t believe it right away?
“I believed it. It’s just… why is that?” Marco frowned.
“I didn’t ask if it was true. Just, why is that? Because, that’s it right away. The question mark.
“That’s it, right? Everything happens for a reason, okay! I’ll wait and see what that reason is.
“Now, we don’t know what it is.”
HOW IS THE SISON FAMILY AFTER ANDREI’S DEATH
Did Andrei make him feel anything?
“For me, nothing. I’m more worried about my son, actually,” Marco confessed.
How is his son Alain?
“This Holy Week, I called him. I asked him how he was. He’s speaking a little bit OK. His voice is clear,” the sympathetic singer said.
“Unlike before during the wake, it was really clear. It seems you don’t know
“Because, it’s not a normal thing, right? Of course, the parent usually moves on first, right? Not a kid, right?
“As a father, I was worried more about Alain, of course. That’s all, I’m just sorry. Because… what a pity.”
ANDREI AS A DOTING GRANDSON
Marco always teased his late grandson on Messenger.
“When he was growing up, he asked for a cell phone. It’s expensive when he asked for a cell phone!” Marco exclaimed.
“Then ahh… what, he always said that… he was better than me.”
Marco shook his head, “I said, ‘You have no right to talk like that, because I’m the original! You all came from me!’”
Is he a spoiler, grandpa?
“No way. Because, when they come to the house, of course our relationship is OK.
“But it’s just the usual. Nothing… nothing. There’s something even more crazy about him. What I remember about him is that he grew taller slowly, eh.
“But lately, he’s suddenly grown taller. E, if you notice, Andrei, his ears are big. I said, ‘Your ears grow faster than your height.’
“That’s what we always joke about.”
It’s been a long time since we last met and talked about grandpa.
“I have a car that I borrowed, I said, ‘Okay, that’s yours. You just have to do it,’ that kind of thing.
“So he said, ‘Can I make the car white?’ I said, ‘Okay!’ Because, he’s going to use it.
“Eventually, right, if it goes through. That’s all, last. Then… of course, he’s busy, eh. He’s always at the workshop.
“I just asked him how he was through his father. That’s OK, he’s getting better, he can sing already…”
Have he ever done a duet with Andrei? Ever jammed?
“No. Never. Because when I’m with them, there’s an occasion, he’s already going up,” Marco said.
“He’s just there. He’s so kind. He has no vices. During the pandemic days, even if he bought candy at the store, he wouldn’t go out.
“So when his father said, ‘Don’t,’ he didn’t leave. That’s all.
“Well, he said, if that’s the case, he’s too kind, the Lord takes him.
“But no, for me, there must be a deeper reason why that is.”
IS MARCO SISON KIND?
Can he consider himself kind?
“Me? I think so, yeah. Yeah. Not just for lifting weights but I think so.
“Well, why is that, right? So, is there a purpose? He, his purpose must have been fulfilled.
“As for me, what’s the reason? That’s mine. Why was he taken like that? There has to be a really good reason, right?
“But I am not questioning Him, right?” Marco shook his head as he pointed to the One Above again.
If ever, was there something he wanted to tell Andrei that he hadn’t said when he was alive?
Marco shrugged, “Probably nothing. Because we, we all-out support each other, e.
“We only see each other occasionally but… we are happy! Because what we are, the… almost the same life. It’s colorful too but we accept each other. Each other. They, they also have… colorful beginnings, e.
“On my side, it’s the same. So, what’s that, it seems like we all understand each other. Then there’s no jealousy. That’s not allowed for us, it’s not allowed…”
Marco will be joined in the concert The Class of OPM by Dulce, Rey Valera, and the remaining Apo Hiking Society members Jim Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo.
The concert will be held on May 3 at The Theater at Solaire.
Guests here are Andrea Gutierrez, Elisha, and VR Caballero. This is a fund-raising event of Soroptimist International of the Americas Philippines Region.
Ticket prices are P3000 (SVIP), P2000 (Patron), and P1000 (Balcony). Tickets are available at the Solaire Box Office and Ticket World. For ticket reservations