Friday, November 02, 2007 Flight 387 kin pay respects anew By Lizanilla J. Amarga
NOT much has changed.
This was the common sentiment expressed by the parents and relatives of the victims of the Cebu Pacific 387 who made their annual pilgrimage to the Oro Gardens Thursday to remember their beloved who died in the crash at Mount Sumagaya on February 2, 1998.
The victims were buried at the Oro Gardens where a shrine has been put up for them and 160 names of the victims were listed. A Holy Mass to remember them was held around 10 a.m. Thursday morning at the Oro Gardens.
Another shrine has been put up by the Province of Misamis Oriental at Haruhay, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.
Among those who were seen visiting their beloved at the Cebu Pacific 387 Shrine at Oro Gardens was Sergeant Sergio Duanias whose son Kennet was among those who died in the crash.
He observed that almost a decade has passed yet there is no notable decrease or increase in the number of parents and relatives who visit their beloved at the Cebu Pacific 387 Shrine at Oro Gardens. "Hindi nagbabago yearly," he said.
Duanias added that though some may not have been able to come during the All Souls' Day, they do so during the February 2 crash anniversary or during their beloved's birthday.
Duanias attributed this to how Cebu Pacific Airlines continues to offer the parents and relatives of the victims a free roundtrip ticket from Manila or anywhere in the country to Cagayan de Oro city every All Souls' Day and every February 2 for the annual anniversary of the crash.
Some parents and relatives who request from Cebu Pacific for a free roundtrip ticket during the birth date of their beloved are also granted such free privilege to visit their beloved at the Oro Gardens at Barangay Lumbia this city.
However, Duanias said the roundtrip tickets are not exactly tax free.
He said a P2,800 charge is collected for the roundtrip ticket from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City and vice-versa.
However, for him and the other parents and relatives, this P2,800 is a small price to pay for those who want to show their beloved who perished during the crash that they are still being remembered.
Duanias who was also interviewed by dxCC Radio Mindanao Network recalled how his son came to Cagayan de Oro City in 1998 to join the elimination rounds of a cycling contest.
"We did not know at that time whether he was among the victims. We only knew that there was a plane gone missing," he said.
Duanias who misses his son voiced his deep gratitude to Cebu Pacific for still treating them well and accommodating their requests.
Another relative of a victim who requested anonymity voiced her gratitude for the airline company's gestures. But could not help but say, "Yes, almost 10 years have passed pero ang hapdi nang pagkawala nila ay nandito pa rin (but the pain of their being taken away still remains here)."
