Only son’s dream for parents crushed by Tanay accident

MANILA, Philippines - John Michael Dagondon dreamed of giving his parents a comfortable life once he landed a well-paying job after finishing college.

His father Macario said his only son promised to build them a home and give them what they need as he and his wife grow older.

But on Monday morning, John Michael’s dreams were crushed after the tourist bus carrying him and his classmates smashed into an electric post while en route to a camping activity in Tanay, Rizal.

Macario, a security guard, said he tried contacting his son immediately after the news broke out Monday morning.

After what seemed like “endless phone rings,” somebody answered the phone around 6:30 p.m. It was a police officer of Tanay who told Macario to go to San Isidro Funeral Home.

With all the dead laid out in front of him, Macario said he could not recognize his son. John Michael’s face was crushed beyond recognition. His body was identified because of the blue rubber shoes and blue blazer he wore.

“Nag-iisang anak ko ‘yun. Mahal na mahal ko ‘yun. Katabi ko sa pagtulog ‘yun, kaming mag-iina. Kahit 18 na ‘yun natutulog sa gitna namin ‘yun kasi nag-iisang anak ko ‘yun (He is my only child. I love him very much. Even if he is already 18, he still sleeps between his parents because he is our only child),” Macario said yesterday.

“Ngayon nawala, parang nawalan na rin ako ng gana sa buhay. Nawala na ‘yung anak ko. Wala na kong inspirasyon (Now that he is gone, I have lost the will to live. My son is gone. My inspiration is gone),” he added.

John Michael, a first year information technology student from BestLink College of the Philippines, was among the 15 people who died in Monday’s horrific road mishap in Tanay.

He was supposed to take part in the three-day activity as part of the school’s National Service Training Program.

Like most of the victims, John Michael’s remains were brought to Majar Funeral Homes in Novaliches where it was processed before it was released to the family around noon yesterday.

The bodies of 13 of the 15 fatalities have been claimed by their families. One Muslim student was claimed by her family from the hospital for Muslim burial rites. As of 6 p.m., the body of the bus driver, Julian Lacorda Jr., had not been claimed at the funeral home.

Dialogue with parents

Macario was among the parents of the victims who met with Quezon City fifth district Rep. Alfred Vargas yesterday at the Novaliches District Center near the school and the funeral home.

Vargas, who represents the district where BestLink College Philippines is located, organized a dialogue between the parents and school officials.

Among those who attended was Jennylyn Salatan, who is eight months pregnant with her first child. Her husband, 27-year-old Mark Carlo Barcelon, is also a student in BestLink and remains in critical condition at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center.

Jennylyn’s mother Daisy accompanied her to the dialogue, where they sought assistance from Vargas.

Following the meeting, Vargas expressed dismay over the failure of BestLink College to send a representative to meet with the relatives.

He also pledged to provide support to the families, including legal assistance should they decide to pursue a case against the school.

‘No one wanted the tragedy’

At the Majar Funeral Home, a representative from BestLink College pledged to provide all forms of support needed by the families of the victims.

“The accident was beyond our control. Who would like the accident to happen?” Zanny Samsona, BestLink College coordinator for school activities, said in Filipino.

Samsona said school officials immediately went to the accident site to assist the victims.

He also apologized for the delay in informing the parents of what happened, stressing that they have to follow the procedures on how to respond to such incidents.

School officials assured the relatives of the victims that they will do everything that they can to assist them.

“All expenses will be shouldered by the management of BestLink College,” he added.

Samsona denied reports that the students were forced to take part in the activity, saying those who did not join the camping will be given special projects.

Some parents claimed that their children were threatened with an incomplete or a failing mark if they failed to join the camping.

Classes were not suspended at BestLink yesterday, although Samsona said students who will be absent will be excused in light of the incident.

Antipolo Bishop Francisco de Leon offered prayers for the 15 fatalities of the bus accident and the 40 others who were injured and their families.

Candles were lit at the site of bus crash.

Daily masses will also be held for the casualties and those who are still recovering in hospitals. – With Romina Cabrera, Evelyn Macairan