Sunday, March 30, 2008 Lucky's loved ones lose him over phone
STANDING 6’3” tall, Lucky Pitogo had the build of a basketball player.
His father Mesio always knew his son would do well in the sport and encouraged him to play.
In 2005, Lucky was awarded Rookie of the Year by the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi). His sports medals hung around the trophy, proudly displayed in the Pitogos’ living room.
As the center of the UV Green Lancers, Lucky was often out of the house practicing for their next game. His team was also preparing for a game that would be held in Manila in a few weeks.
He first took up an engineering course. But because of the demands of the game, Lucky felt he could not keep up and shifted to customs administration.
With five top players of the team graduating, Mesio had no doubt it was his son’s turn to shine in the next semester.
His dreams were shattered when he saw his son’s slumped body on a dark street of Barangay San Vicente, Liloan.
“Natulala ko. Pagkakita lang gyud nako sa dugo, nakaingon na gyud ko nga wa na (I was stunned. When I saw the blood, I knew he was gone),” Mesio told a Sun.Star Cebu team yesterday.
The only son, Lucky was also held dear by his two sisters Lanie and Laurice.
Lanie, 22, said that the three of them ate pancit on Thursday night after his practice and that they stayed up until dawn just talking.
“Grabe kaayo ming tulo nagbonding ato. Mao na diay to iyang panamilit (We bonded. I had no idea it was his way of saying goodbye),” Lanie said.
Laurice, 17, for her part, said her brother loved to joke around. She added that he was never stingy and shared whatever he had with them and his friends.
Laurice said her brother was very popular that he always knew someone wherever they went. Texting was a favorite pastime of Lucky as he often bugged Laurice to give him more textmates.
His friends in San Vicente called him “Bosing”.
Mesio recalled that Lucky almost always attended all team practices and was a dedicated player.
“Bisag uwan pa, mutunga gyud to ug practice (Even when it rained, he showed up for practice),” Mesio said.
He does not believe his son had enemies because he kept cool during the game and did not get into fights with other players. (MEA)
