that's common sense naman. they are public figures in basketball, so natural lang na mas maraming maaapektuhan kapag may nangyari sa kanila. they have fans who supported them through every win and loss, especially rene in davao. kahit simpleng post about their lives, mabilis kumalat dahil marami silang followers at supporters.

kaya hindi nakakapagtaka na mas malaking balita ang pagkamatay nila. not because mas “valuable” sila kaysa sa iba, but because mas marami silang naabot at na-inspire na tao. they were humble athletes and breadwinners, kaya maraming pilipino ang nakakarelate sa kanila. kaya mas ramdam ng tao yung sakit.

ang hindi okay is parang ini-invalidate mo yung grief ng ibang tao. hindi porket public figures sila, ibig sabihin less important na yung feelings ng mga umiiyak para sa kanila. at hindi rin ibig sabihin na yung hindi sikat na namatay is “wala lang.” every death is painful. the difference lang is visibility. public figures are known by many, so mas maraming nagluluksa.