(Note: I originally posted on my Facebook wall but social media being what it is, the posts eventually will get buried by newer posts. So I decided to copy the posts (and photos) to this blog because Juned is more than just a blogger friend. He was a true friend whose profound insights made me think that he must be a guru-incarnate.)
It is with a heavy heart that I found out today (July 7, 2019) that I lost a great friend who also happens to be one of the co-founders of BlogWatch — Juned Sonido.
Juned had diabetes but he never let this get in the way of activities as a blogger or as an advocate. We go back a long, long way to my early days as a blogger. Juned is one of the blogosphere’s pioneers and was a well-known and well-loved blogger among our circles back then. It is just sad that as BlogWatch is about to celebrate its 10th year this November 2019, we will not have one of our co-founders around anymore.
I saw Juned for the last time in March, at an internet governance symposium. I already noticed he had lost weight (he looked gaunt) and had to have a companion with him. His walk was also slower than usual. And yet, there he was…still attending because he was an advocate and wanted to stay on top of current events.
Below are two photos of Juned in action. The first one was taken when BlogWatch covered the ASEAN 2017 events. The second one was taken last February 2018, during the first ever Democracy and Disinformation Conference, where Juned was a panelist.
We will miss you a lot, Juned. I may not have always agreed with your political position but we were always able to discuss these differences as friends. You always understood my position and I respected yours. Now, it’s time to rest, my friend. My prayers will be for you tonight, Juned. Rest in peace. +++
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From blogger to pamphleteer extraordinaire, that was Juned. We have been friends for over 10 years already, through blogger events, advocacy causes, and just plain fun stuff. This album is a tribute to someone the blogging community will sorely miss. I will miss Juned, including the times he’d hitch a ride home and we would continue our conversations about anything while stuck in traffic.
Till we meet again, Juned. Godspeed. Say hi to our blogger and PR friends up there.