Kuya Al

After an unplanned three day visit I cam home feeling depressed. I went o Manila to attend my Kuya Al's funeral.

Sad News Before the Holy Week

-- GROUNDED. The flagship helicopter of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is grounded on Maundy Thursday at the lawn of the presidential Mansion in Baguio City. INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON/EV ESPIRITU

Last, last week, Wednesday I woke up hearing sad news that a presidential helicopter was missing the day before. One of the pilots was cousin Kuya Al. At first I was hopeful. "They will surely find the chopper and everyone is alive." I said to myself. I did not want to entertain any pessimistic thoughts. I went to work with a heavy heart. When I got to the office I opened my internet browser to Inquirer, abs-cbn news and gma news. I looked for related articles. After a few minutes I refreshed to check for updates. There was news that the helicopter was found but I know something wasn't right. The helicopter was described as totally burned. After a few hours there were already news of found bodies. At first there were three, then five and then there were seven (There were a total of 8 people in the helicopter). I was at home when I watched late night news Bandila. My heart sank when the newscaster reported that there were no survivors of the helicopter crash. All hope is lost when I saw Kuya Al's picture with his four year old daughter was posted on screen. I was grief stricken but I didn't cry. After watching the news and saying a quick goodbye to my bf, I lay down on my beside my sister in my room, we were unspeaking and quietly grieving.

Villamor Air Base, Pasay City - The seven bodies of the eight passenger of the ill-fated Presidential Chopper Bell 412 which crashed last 7 April 2006 in Ifugao Province. Photo shows Col Cimatu, PAF Chaplain, who blessed the bodies and would later be brought to the Hero's Hall at the Malacañang Palace. (Photo by TSg Bruna)

A Gathering of a family

My Kuya Al, his wife and kids live in Villamor Airbase. My Aunt and my cousins live in Mindanao. I knew there were a lot of planning to do. We were waiting for the final wake and funeral plans. By Saturday there was a plane provided by the Air force for the relatives that will go to Manila. Me and my sister wanted to go but the funeral plans wasn't final. I have work and an upcoming event. Sunday we learned that there will be another plane on Tuesday and the plane will be back by Friday. The funeral was on Thursday at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani. My Mother said she was going and I decided that I wanted to go too. I immediately send a text message to my boss asking for a three day leave. When my boss gave permission I started packing and planned the things I should accomplish before I leave for Manila. The flight schedule kept on changing. My Mom even decided not to go because of the very erratic schedule. I still wanted to go. This is my last time to say good bye to him.

Riding C130

When I woke up Tuesday morning I was already hurrying up because I was going to be late for work. After taking a bath my sister barged in the room with the news that we were going to Manila at ten o'clock in the morning and it was already 8. I had already packed my things and so I had to add only a few more items. My sister on the other hand was in packing frenzy. The day before we all thought that schedule of the plane was going to be on Wednesday. I thought to myself that I had one more day at work. My sister even went home late because she thought that the trip to Manila was cancelled. When we were heading to the old airport my father received a text message that people were already boarding the plane. My Mom said that if we were meant to go God will find a way, I on the other hand thought that if the plane left I could go to work. Fortunately the C130 was still there when we got to the airport. After security the check up we waited. I had to tell people that I was flying Manila. There was something wrong with the Globe network and I could not send a message. I borrowed my sister’s phone and sent a message to Marga my officemate that I was not going to work that day. I wanted to text other people but we were boarding. This is not the first time I rode the C130. The last time was when I went home to Davao for Kuya Al’s wedding.

Prayers, Vigil and the Wake

The wake was held at Villamor Airbase Mortuary. When we arrived we were immediately brought to the Mortuary. Even in the entrance you can see a lot of big wreaths. The senders range from friends, relatives, Kuya Al’s superiors and government officials. When we inside I immediately saw Ate Rachel, Kuya Al’s wife she was with her daughters. It was my first time to see Angel the five month old baby. Angel is a very cute and happy baby. It’s sad to think that she will grow up not knowing her Father. I could see features of Kuya Al on her especially the dimple which is also located exactly like her father’s.

I had attended a lot of wake of relatives, friends and acquaintances. I usually don’t stay long. This my first time to attend a wake of a close relative. My family was really close to Kuya Al. Before he went to PMA he stayed for three years with my family. He was an engineering student at UM then. When I was also exiled in Manila in 2005 I stayed with his family at the Villamore Airbase. When Kuya Al was in Davao he never forget’s to visit my family.

At the mortuary you can’t see a coffin instead you can see a small container with my Kuya Al’s ashes in it. He was cremated. Sad to say there were only bits and pieces that were found of his body. He was the last one to be found. As I look at his framed picture I could remember a lot of happy memories. He had a very light and happy demeanor. He was one of the few male cousins who was patient enough to play Barbie with me and my sister. He loved kids and I really saw his devotion with his daughter when I lived with his family in 2005. His death really saddens me but I couldn’t image what is going through my Ate Rachel mind. What I am feeling is multiplied a hundred times more with what is Ate Rachel is going through or my Auntie Glory (she is my Kuya Al’s mom and my father’s older sister).

At the Libing ng Mga Bayani

At the Villamor's Chapel

It was not your regular funeral. There was a band, a lot of uniformed men and lots of formalities. There was a long walk from the entrance toward the area where they will put Kuya Al in his final resting place. The band played a very mournful song. There was a helicopter that threw rose petals in the air. There was also a gun salute. Everyone was very emotional in the part where the flag is folded and given to Ate Rachel and Auntie Glory. I really wanted to cry but I usually don’t cry in public. When people where dispersing I found my sister. She told me that mother broke her sandal and was stuck in a van somewhere. I didn’t dwell on my grief any more and gathered my spirits to look for my mother. While attending to mother I didn’t know what else happened. I just watched from a far. Later President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo went to say condolences. Everyone wanted to have a glimpse of her. My Mother, my sister and I on the other did not want to join in the chaos. We just watched from afar.

That afternoon I already went back to Davao because work to attend to in the following day.

I know Kuya Al is now in God’s hand. Somehow I am happy that he is finally at peace. He died serving his country, he left many happy memories and he will always be remembered. His life maybe short but I know it was full.

My Valentine’s days will now have more color and meaning. That is Kuya Al’s birthday. He showed how loved should not be limited to people around you. He lived and died for love, love of family and love of country.

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