Paul Lugo Busto
My Brother
There are so many things I want to say and share about my brother Paul, but we’d be here all day. I wanted to do this from memory, as it seems a bit robotic to read from a piece of paper. But make no mistake, this is all heart and i wanted a little something to guide me through this. The loss of my brother Paul is huge. Our family is no stranger to loss. But losing Paul is like losing a heart beat. My brother was always smiling and had a happy heart and smiling eyes so if you find yourself smiling and having an occasional laugh at my expense he would love that. We are here today to remember Paul with all good intentions, laughter and love and celebrate his life and memory. Paul had many interests and if you’ve seen his social media you know exactly what I’m talking about. But, its true Paul loved many things and had a vast variety of interests. He was a very passionate person and could be a bit eccentric with his unique and creative ways. And that’s what we love and cherish about him. He was a music lover, and as an old punk myself i always appreciated the fact he was the first person I saw with a levi vest with bands written all over it and one band that I’ll never forget seeing on his vest was black flag with bars. I was about 11 years old at the time. He was a rocker and he had the hair to prove it. He played his music loud and proud and I appreciated that too. He didn’t just love rock, he loved all genres of music especially his oldies. Something we inherited from our grandma Lugo and our parents. He loved all forms of art, especially Asian. and he loved to draw. Paul was an amazing skater. Most of you may not know this but On roller skates he was a beast. At the rink, when the speed skaters had their que to skate Paul would Jump over the railing straight into it like lightning. Which was amazing to watch. Speaking of lightning. he talked big game about his martial arts abilities, and if there are those who have doubt, he could back those claims and stories up big time. When I was a kid and a teenager I would watch him practice and I was in complete awe at his abilities and skill. Literally had wind on my face from his arm movements and that is no lie. Of course I wasnt gonna tell him that at the time his head was big enough He took martial arts very seriously and like one of his biggest heroes, Bruce Lee, Paul believed in perfecting one move or technique at a time before venturing onto something new. Not only was Paulie good with his arms, legs and body. His ability and skill with weapons was unprecedented. And that is why he is Tiger. Tiger to us but, White Lightning Ninja to his beloved nephews. Something I never knew, until my son Daniel told me. He and his brother Lee James named him that. and it was funny because when i talked to my brother david (after he learned Paul had passed) he brought it up. He said “the boys white lightning ninja”. To me that is the raddest thing i have ever heard. He would have loved that. As I do. An avid car enthusiast, he loved them. He loved talking about them, working on them, collecting them, Whether they worked or not made no difference. He liked to get his hands dirty. He’d get them running if it was the last thing he did. No matter the difficulty he’d be at it all hours of the day and night with a smile on his face, and a song in his heart. He loved it. He loved his family with a passion. Our mother and father, brothers, me, cousins, nephews, nieces, aunts and uncles, his brother in law. Paul didn’t just define family by blood, those he considered a friend were instantly family and we soon had new nephews and nieces, aunts and uncles. He was a friend to everyone and everyone loved him. He was very proud to be a Busto. First born Grandson to an immigrant farmer, who was a dedicated and honorable man that he loved and cherished very much as we all did and do. A lot like my father a hard worker, consistent and reliable. He instilled within me that same Busto pride that would carry us through life’s ups and downs. He used to tell me you’re a Busto hold your head up high and walk tall. Well I’m short, but that never stopped me. And that’s exactly what he was talking about. I wouldn’t be who am today without you brother. i hope you know that. I wish I’d told you more. He taught me to protect myself from all enemies foreign and domestic. Not only Cos I’m a girl. But because I’m a busto. He never knew this and I wish I had told him but i was super proud to be his sister and like I said I was in complete awe of him. I knew i could do anything I put my mind to because I’d seen him do it. And because he told me i could. He was my big brother, my protector, my champion, and my biggest fan. He never let a conversation end without telling me he loved me or without saying “Mahal Kita.”which means the same in Tagalog. I’m gonna miss you brother for the rest of my life. Peace be with you always, take care of my babies. I love you Paulie thank you for always loving me and my boys with a fierce heart and with undying love.
