Life and death

Danny Javier's life was one for the books. Set aside his career that spanned over 40 years as a singer-songwriter and one-third of the classic Filipino pop group Apo Hiking Society.

The health ordeal he went through was out of the ordinary. In 2011, he was practically given up for dead. His doctor said he had only a 10 percent chance of survival.

"I was diabetic, then one thing led to another. I had kidney failure, liver collapse, emphysema, congestive heart failure, and sepsis," he said about his condition.

Liver collapse indicated Javier might be a heavy drinker, and emphysema, a sign of having smoked regularly.

But somehow, he didn't stop breathing. He said what further saved him was a lifestyle change and an all-natural diet.

He was all praises for vegetables, particularly malunggay.

Javier lived for another 11 years.

On 31 October he died at age 75, after enduring diabetes which a source told Daily Tribune in April, required Javier to undergo dialysis "every day for eight hours."

Added the source: "May nabili siyang machine that lets him do dialysis as he sleeps, but he's confined to his residence permanently."

That Javier survived for 11 more years might say something about the healing power of vegetables, slowing down from the rigors of performing, and the will to live.

His Apo cohorts Jim Paredes and Buboy Garovillo, who visited Javier in the hospital before his death said he told them he didn't want to die yet.

Yet there was proof Javier knew his time was up and he managed to write one last song, Lahat Tayo — a flippant look at mortality.

This was how musician and Apo collaborator Lorrie Ilustre recounted on Facebook how he helped record Lahat Tayo.

"Last year he called me and said he was sick. I visited him right away. We were together the whole day talking about everything from our past to the present. He kept a positive outlook on life even though he was suffering from several medical conditions.

"I wanted to ask for prayers three weeks ago when I learned that he was rushed to the hospital and was in bad shape, but due to the family's wishes, I refrained from posting. I decided to arrange and record instead a tune he roughly sang on his Facebook page.

"Through family, I was able to get the recording with his original vocals to his hospital bed. The nurse played the music to Danny, and he would nod to acknowledge that it was ok. That's good enough for me.

"I know Danny's writing style and ideas, so I just had to make this music arrangement for him to bring along to his journey home. I took his vocals from his FB post and recorded them. His video I synced to audio. I just tweaked a note and rearranged the song structure but I kept everything the way he would have wanted it.

"Danny Javier, a man fully aware of his mortality, expressed himself in music with lyrics infused with humor. He sang in a way that only he could deliver, singing his own sendoff ahead of its time.

"The man who coined Original Pilipino Music left us with this song, 'Lahat Tayo.' He wanted to share this with all of you — family, friends, and loyal fans."

In the video of the recording, Javier looked happy, at certain moments trying to suppress a laugh.

Maybe that's what extended his life a bit more. Danny Javier had fun during his earthly existence.