In loving memory of Armando Ruiz (1988-2008)
I'm asking all the viewers of Invisible Movement to read this news item, word by word.
There has been a lot of speculation after I have posted this news item four days ago and some of you have gone a bit overboard with nasty, rude and even off-topic comments. The most of world's religions are urging us to forgive and, though I'm an atheist, I'll forgive you; hoping that you had no idea what you were talking about.
The news I have posted on 22nd May was true. The anonymous person was Armando Ruiz, a 20-year-old boy from USA, diagnosed with leukemia and undergoing chemotherapy. Everything he had said was true. On 12th May this year, which is two weeks ago, three out of four RHCP members called him to the hospital and John really let him listen his upcoming album, before it got into mastering process. I could tell you the album's name, but it was Armando's wish not to have it published as he didn't ask John for a permission. He meant to ask if John called him again; but he did not live to see that happen. So, I will respect his wish and not reveal the name unless the record company or anyone in the PR says it's OK.
In other words, Armando Ruiz passed away at 4:30 AM local time on 25th May 2008. Rest in peace.
This is the message his brother posted to his Myspace:
Hi All, im Armando's brother Miguelo and if you guys didnt know armando had was diagnosed with leukemia around august of last year and had been hospitalized and undertaking chemo therapy too... But as of today around 4 or 4:30 in the morning he passed away at the scripps hospital in hillcrest. I dont want to go into details because its too painful but know that now he's happy and is watching over us all...
It was his wish for us to let everyone on his phone contacts know, but i took it upon myself to let all his friends on myspace know since he spent so much time here and made very good friends. He was a very reliable source for everything Red Hot Chili Peppers, and for the fans out there like myself, you would be happy to know that Flea, John Frusciante and Anthony called him on the phone at least once. And he also listened to John's new album before he mastered it, which made him feel very special, Thanks to John's huge heart. Anthony also sent him a cd and a note.
As his brother I thank you guys for loving him and having him as your friend...
Amongst the last things Mando himself posted on the internet was a comment to above linked entry and insider news in this topic, as well as in a Myspace group. He could have reacted to those who denied what he said. But he remained a nice, generous human being until his very last breath.
So, dear visitors, I am asking you not to make quick judgements based on what goes on in your own heads or what kind of stories have other people been launching in the past. Please, be nice and kind to people around you. Be generous. Love your parents, love your siblings, love your friends, love the people you don't know, as there's no point in doing harm to anyone without a reason. Someone might appreciate your smile, a kind word, a message after days of not hearing from you. We're not indestructable, everything in this life is relative. Each single one of us might have their physical side of existence taken away tomorrow, even today, even right now, as I'm writing this. Don't hate. Don't rip people to shreds. Live and love, love and live. Do not use all of your energy making someone feel sad, left out or unloved. In most of the cases, there is no reason for that. Show love and give love as much as you can, because it is the only thing that never runs dry. A world with no love would be a world with no memories.
Last, but not the least. I am begging you to donate money to American Cancer Society, Cancer Research UK, Canadian Cancer Society or to any cancer research/prevention foundation in your country. Think of those you love, think that no one of us is untouchable or spared and do something to make someone else's life better. And I know that the most of us have enough, otherwise we won't be sitting in front of computers at our warm homes. Give some hope to someone who deserves it.
Thank you for reading this.
P.S. I apologise that I wasn't able to remove the stars from under this news item. All I can ask you is not to play with them, it's best to ignore them.
wow, i’m shocked! it’s very sad to hear these things. i hope armando is in a good place. at least he had a chance to talk to john, anthony and flea. and i’m not surprised to hear that john let him listen to his new album ‘cuase that’s one of the things that make him so ispiring to me. i can tottaly identify with miguelo. R.I.P armando!!!!!!
… time to be quiet and think about
remind of dying and life as a gift out of nothing
love to all your/my/our fellows
Rest in peace armondo, never knew you, maybe sometime, somewhere, somehow …
p.s.: I think it is quite perverse to evaluate such a piece of “news” with stars or whatever, no matter if the evaluation is positiv or negativ! In my opninon it’s kind of cynic and/or imprudent! just an advice, don’t want to argue about such at least less important thing.
so I guess, informations were correct, nice…
RIP
may god bless his soul…i’m truely sorry now that i’ve read this sad story…every single loss of human beings is painful…at least he was fortunate enough to talk to our 3 living legends which is a wild dream for everone of us….RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS ARE AN OBLATION BAND!
I’m so so sorry to hear this, it’s all so close to the nerve for me, and my heart goes out to his family and friends.
May Mando now be at peace after the dreadful war he has been through.
News like this makes me wanna run at full speed and break through walls and shout and scream and just generally do what I can to fix this fucked up world.
Mando. Tom. Für Immer.
Iva, you are such a good person. Your words make me cry, because they are full of love! Everybody, please listen what she’s saying, she’s totally right. Even if you don’t expect to get it back from some people, send love to every person you know and you don’t know!!!
Armando, wherever you are. Rest in peace!!! I hope you are in a better place now, in a better world with less pain, violence and hate. May god bless you!
David
I agree with David’s comments 100%!
I read the original MS posts and thought they were not true… What an ass I was!
Iva – Thank you for the love and everything else. Stay your amazing beautiful self and never ever change!!! x
Armando – I’m sorry. God bless you. RIP…
i don’t know how to react! it’s terrible, i’m really shocked! it is a disaster that we can’t really do anything to help these people in time… i know how terrible is leukemia, my grandfather died in leukemia also…i just can’t imagine how hard times are waiting to his family.
My deepest condolescences to his family!!!
Armando, rest in peace!
R.I.P. Armando.
I can’t believe that some people can be so cruel.
I don’t know how to react. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say or write. I never met Armando (even on the internet), but I cried when I read that he had passed away. I suppose it’s because it hit close to home. My grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in Feb. It’s been a rocky road with her. We’d get good news, something happens, and we’d be back at square one. It’s just a matter of time with her. We just take it one day at a time because it’s all we can do besides trying to stay positive. Most of us feel that we’ll live to be old and gray, but tomorrow is never promised to us. I think many people forget that. Which that might be the reason why they behave as they do. Time is precious, and we need to appreciate what we do have. I wish the best to Armando’s family. You are in my thoughts at this sad time.
Love To All
Thanks to every person, here and out there with an open heart for letting me feel we are together.
Iva, Armando and everybody here: keep our hands together, we´ll never die.
R.I.P Armando
I am glad that the news was true its just to bad it had to come in circumstances like this..
What a lucky guy though.. got to listen to johns new album and talk with flea and anthony! WOW