Ang green bones ay pinaniniwalang nakikita sa cremated remains ng isang namatay. Nangangahulugan daw itong may mabuting kalooban ang taong pumanaw.

Ito ang naging inspirasyon sa Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 best picture na Green Bones ng GMA Pictures.

THE FINAL VIEWING

Isang mahabang mensahe ang ibinahagi ng kapatid ni Angel na si Ella Colmenares sa Facebook kahapon, March 11, 2025.

Sa tulong ng mga kaibigan sa media industry, nakakuha ang PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) ng kopya ng kanyang post.

“THE DAY WE FOUND DAD’S GREEN BONES” ang pamagat ng post ni Ella.

Inilahad muna ni Ella ang mga kaganapan sa final viewing sa mga labi ng kanyang ama.

Ayon kay Ella, hindi iniwanan ng kanyang kapatid na si Angel ang mga labi ng kanilang ama.

Kitang-kita raw niya ang lungkot sa mukha ng kapatid na aktres.

Lahad niya (published as is): “The final viewing of Dad’s coffin felt like a dream we were forced to live — a dream where reality was too heavy to carry, but we had no choice but to keep walking through it.

“Angel stood by Dad’s side, her hand resting gently on the edge of the coffin, as if by holding on, she could somehow keep him with us a little longer. She had been there for him long before he got sick — and until his last days in that cold, unfamiliar hospital room.

“I watched her as she stood there, and my heart broke even more. I could see her pain — a pain so deep, so raw, like a wound torn open that would never heal. No words could ever ease that kind of grief.

“Maybe a hug could — but unfortunately, I’m not good at hugging. So I just sat still on the bench.”

Nang sa wakas ay isara na ang kabaong ng yumaong ama para sa cremation, nakabibinging kalungkutan daw ang naramdaman nilang lahat.

Hindi rin daw napigilan ng lahat ang kanilang mga luha.

Ani Ella: “When it was almost time to close the coffin and take Dad away for cremation, the sadness felt like it was swallowing us whole.

“The tears wouldn’t stop coming. Every step we took toward the cremation area felt heavier than the last, as though with each step we were moving further away from him.

“At the cremation chamber, we were asked to say our final goodbyes. Dad was transferred into a simple cremation box, and they opened it for us to see him one last time.

“One by one, we placed white roses on his chest and beside him, whispering words that couldn’t possibly be enough to say all that we felt.

“I reached out and held his hand — cold and lifeless — and my heart shattered all over again.”

Dagdag pa niya, “‘I’m so sorry, Dad,’ I whispered, choking back sobs. ‘I love you.’”

THE GREEN BONES

Nang nakasara na ang kabaong, may inabot daw sa kanila ang chapel staff na markers upang isulat ang anumang mensahe nila para sa yumaong ama.

Saad ni Ella:”With trembling hands, I wrote on the cover: ‘Dad, I’m so sorry and I love you so much. Thank you for everything. See you soon. – Ella.’

“Afterward, we gathered outside for the butterfly release. As the butterflies took flight, their fragile wings carrying them up to the air, we whispered our goodbyes, praying that somehow, some way, Dad could feel our love reaching him.”

Habang naghihintay raw sila sa mga abo ng ama, nakatulog daw si Angel sa sofa sa family room.

Kitang-kita raw ni Ella ang maputlang mukha ng aktres dahil sa kakaiyak.

Aniya: “Back inside the chapel, as we waited for Dad’s ashes, there was only silence — heavy and suffocating.

“Angel, drained from weeks of holding on, finally fell asleep on the couch in the family room, her face pale from too much crying.

“I was thankful she could rest even for a little while.”

Nang dumating na ang staff ng punerarya, may nadiskubre raw silang kakaiba.

Nakaagaw-pansin sa kanila ang “strange green fragments.”

Ito ang sinasabing green bones.

Kuwento ni Ella: “Then, the staff from Heritage Chapel arrived with Dad’s urn — and something else.

“A transparent ziplock bag, filled with strange green fragments.

“‘Ma’am, Sir,’ one of them said gently, with a voice that almost sounded like awe, ‘we’ve seen many cremations… but your father had so many green bones. It’s very rare. We almost never see this in others.’

“Our eyes widened in surprise as we peered into the bag. There were so many — maybe fifty or more!

“Our relatives gathered around, murmuring to each other. “It’s a good sign,” one said, nodding. “Only good souls leave green bones. It means he was a good person, and now, he’s at peace.”

May isa naman daw nagsabing suwerte raw ito sa naiwang pamilya ng yumao.

“Another added, ‘Some say it brings luck and protection to the family. In some cultures, families even share the green fragments to keep the good fortune close.’”

ANGEL LOCSIN SO HAPPY AND PROUD

Naging magaan daw ang pakiramdam nila sa natuklasan.

Tila may huling habilin daw ang ama sa kanila na nagsasabing nasa maayos itong kalagayan.

Pagpapatuloy ni Ella: “Suddenly, what felt like the darkest day became a little lighter. It felt like Dad was still speaking to us — leaving a part of himself behind to watch over us.

“Everyone seemed amazed, as though Dad had left us a final message — that he was at peace, and that he left us good luck.

“But me? As they spoke, my mind was racing. Quietly, I took out my phone and searched: “Why do bones turn green after cremation?”

“Science had an answer, as it always does. It was a chemical reaction — caused by metallic compounds or by antibiotic residues.

“There may be antibiotics that Dad had taken during those long days in the hospital, and maybe from the titanium in his ankle from that accident long ago.

“The high heat and the chemical make up of his body— all of it combined to tint his bones green.

“Yet, even knowing the science, I always believed that our Dad was a good person. I also couldn’t help but think of all Dad had endured — just like his bones endured the high heat.

“All the pain, all the battles he fought that we never fully knew. Maybe the green bones were also a testament to his strength — to a life lived with discipline, love, and sacrifice.”

Nang nagising daw si Angel, naikuwento nila rito ang tungkol sa green bones na natagpuan sa mga labi ng ama.

Nagbigay raw ito ng kaligayahan kay Angel sa gitna ng kanilang pagluluksa.

Saad ni Ella: “Just then, Angel stirred awake, her eyes puffy from crying. Someone told her about Dad’s green bones. Her face lit up, like the sun breaking through a storm.

“‘Really? Dad left us green bones?’ she whispered, her voice fragile but filled with wonder. Our brother smiled and nodded, ‘Yes. So many.’ She was suddenly so happy and proud.”

THE FIRST TIME ANGEL SMILED AFTER THEIR FATHER’S De@TH

Nakita raw ni Ella sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon na ngumiti si Angel buhat nang namatay ang kanilang ama.

Sabi niya: “For the first time since Dad left us, I saw Angel smile — a small, gentle smile, but real. Like for that moment, her heart found a little piece of peace.

“I wanted to explain, to tell her about the science, but as I looked at her — holding onto that fragile joy — I swallowed my words. I let her believe. I let her be happy.

“Because maybe, in a way, Dad did leave us a gift. Not just green bones, but a reminder of how much he loved us, how much of himself he gave to us while he lived.

“As they carefully placed the green fragments back into the urn, I realized that whether it was science or miracle, what truly mattered was what Dad had left behind in our hearts — lessons of hard work, quiet strength, and love that stayed with us.

“And for that, we were lucky.”

Kalakip ng post ni Ella ang poster ng pelikula Green Bones.

Samantala, hindi pa rin nagpapakita sa publiko si Angel.