Clare Henney: 7 Ways I Will Remember Paul Walker

Where were you when Paul Walker died? I was sitting in a spa getting my feet pampered when I heard the news. I was so shocked I called my sisters one after the other just to share the news (and wallow in grief, as we were all fans of the Fast and the Furious movies from the very beginning). My sister laughingly remembered me saying in shock, “Pano na tayo nyan?” It was as if Paul Walker was part of the family! Well, he was in a way because of his movies — a major bonding factor in my family. It’s always so sad when someone so young and so giving passes away so soon. I just hope that his death and the good works he did when he was alive will make an impact to the people affected by his death so that they will carry on his good example. In memory of Paul Walker, I decided to list the seven ways that I will remember him:

1. Dean from She’s All That

He was a jerk in this one but he was really cute. Paul played a popular student in high school who made a bet with Freddie Prinze Jr. about turning the school nerd into a prom queen. She’s All That was one of my favorite movies from my younger years so I will always remember Paul Walker in this one.

2. Lance Arbor of Varsity Blues

He was the star of the team who was sidelined by an injury and who found his calling in coaching. His character here was memorable because he was a true leader of the team. I will always remember the scene of him with crutches on the field helping to coach his team to victory.

3. Caleb Mandrake from The Skulls

This was one creepy movie about a secret society and at some point I thought that Paul Walker’s role was that of a bad guy. Near the end of the film however, it was obvious that he was just a guy who, in spite of how amazing he seemed on the outside, was someone scared of his own father. I really liked him in this one.

4. Brian O’Connor from the Fast and the Furious movies

As an undercover cop infiltrating a street-racing gang in the first movie to a member of the family of racers led by Dom Torreto, Paul Walker made Brian O’Connor a popular movie character all over the world. He had starred in other movies in between F&F ones but people will always remember him for this role. Considering the way he died, this will be the role that people will think of the most when you mention the name Paul Walker.

5. Humanitarian

Described as a “quick-response, mobile first aid organization aiding in rescue and recovery after major natural disasters around the globe,” Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW) was founded by Paul Walker after doing voluer it was hit by an earthquake in 2010. According to the website, Paul believed that “When you put good out there it’s amazing what can be accomplished.” After his death and how people were moved that he was doing work for ROWW when he died, I think that the way he put good out there was magnified and now more people can and will be inspired to continue his passion to help others in need.

6. Pusong Mamon

I used the Tagalog words because nothing in English would be the exact equivalent. I think he’s a pusong mamon type because I read on CNN about a confirmed report of how ten years ago he noticed a soldier ring-shopping with his fiancee and discovered they couldn’t afford a ring. Paul went to the manager and gave her his billing info, saying he was going to pay for the ring.

How amazing was he? Such a good-heart on that one. It’s really so sad that he left the world so soon.

7. Christian

IMDB quoted Paul as saying:

“I go surfing and snow boarding and I’m always around nature. I look at everything and think, ‘Who couldn’t believe there’s a God? Is all this a mistake?’ It just blows me away.”

That statement was something that I could relate to. Even when things seem rough I can’t help but think the same way. I will always remember him from that quote. I hope that the good this guy has done will not be forgotten. I hope that the lives he has touched will help to carry on the good example that he has started. RIP Paul Walker.

Photo Source: The Movie Scene, SF Gate, The Marshall Town, Mirror