Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Irene's dream for 1-year-old son shattered
By Roberto L. Bacasong
"I AM very proud of her," was how guest relations officer Irene de la Peña's stepfather described her, despite her job.
According to Sandy Biaco, they accepted her the way she is because "we believe that she was doing her best to provide comfort and the needs of her baby."
Irene died after she was stabbed in front of a motel last Dec. 19. She left behind her one-year-old baby, a stepfather who is proud of her and a former boyfriend who is still in love with her.
Ex-boyfriend Alfredo Buelba III, 23, in a separate interview, said he left Irene because he can't take the kind of job she went into.
However, he stressed that he really loved her.
"We will miss her," said Buelba, a trisikad driver.
Irene celebrated her 18th birthday at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital a few days before she died on Jan. 5.
Born on Dec. 25, 1987 to Alice de la Peña and Leopoldo Rico, Irene worked very hard for her family. Biaco, 37, of Purok Mapalaron, Barangay 30, Bacolod City told Sun.Star that Irene was a loving daughter.
"She accepted me as her stepfather. She knew from the start that I was against her work as GRO," Biaco said in Hiligaynon.
He said Irene only finished Grade V at the Barangay Pandanon Elementary School in Don Salvador Benedicto town.
She started to work as a waitress and then a dancer at the Sunrise Disco Bar.
Biaco also lauded the efforts of the Bacolod City Police Office in solving Irene's case.
Last Monday, the police identified Helen Aguadilla, the owner of H.A. Moneychanger, as the alleged mastermind in the stabbing.
Irene is reportedly the "mistress" of Helen's husband.
Helen has denied the charge.
Irene's remains is at her residence in Barangay 30. Her interment will be on Saturday at the Burgos Public Cemetery.
(January 11, 2006 issue)
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