Thoughts of family kept victims going

EVEN in their last breath, family was what kept them going.

A doting sister, inseparable twins and an aspiring photographer were among the more than 40 persons who lost their lives in the massive landslide that hit the City of Naga last Sept. 20.

Everyone who had met 19-year-old education student Bianca Versales knew how much she adored her younger brother Michael, 16.

The two were retrieved by rescuers locked in a tight embrace under the rubble.

“Hangtod sa kataposan nga higayon, giprotektahan gyod nimo imong manghod. Imong kamot naa sa ulo sa imong manghod, while si Michael naggakos sad nimo (Up to your last breath you protected your brother. You covered his head with your hand while he hugged you),” Jalou Versales, Bianca and Michael’s cousin, wrote in a Facebook post.

Another cousin, Pebbles Versales, said Bianca promised to do well in school so that she could help Michael fulfill his dreams.

“Di ba, ‘day Bianca, maghuman pa gani ta og skwela unya di ba niana ka nga kon makatrabaho na ka imo dayon paeskwelahon si Michael? Ato pa gani ipakita sa mga tawo nga nag-look down sa ato nga bisan pobre ta, naa tay maabot sa kinabuhi (You said we will do well in school and when we will have work you will help Michael in his studies. We said we will show to the people who looked down on us that even if we’re poor we can achieve something in life),” Pebbles said.

Twins Jemuel James and Jelian Jean Campanilla, 12, were active students in school and were two peas in a pod. James had put up a picture of him and Jelian as his Facebok profile picture twice with the caption, “With my beautiful kambal,” to which their mother Rizjhanen commented, “Hi mga langga, mama loves you so much.”

Rizjhanen loved her family so much, most of her profile pictures featured a relative or two. Her recent profile update was last Sept. 19, a day before the incident.

They were part of the Campanilla family who were known as a happy bunch and were always ready to lend a hand.

Thirteen of them lost their lives to the tragedy, while some family members are still trapped under the rubble.

A family friend, Jerbie Jay Rivera, said Lary and Lina, the Campanilla patriarch and matriarch, treated him as their own.

Jella Aguanta always had big dreams and she showed it through her photography and editing skills. She would have turned 19 on Nov. 19. She was a loving daughter to her parents Susan and Jesus.

Before they died, Jella texted her teacher.

“Ma’am, please help us. Naa pa mi dinhi sulod sa among balay (We are still inside the house). Natabonan mi.” “Ma’am, ma-rescue pa mi?” “Ma’am, dili na kaya. Wala nay hangin, lisod na iginhawa (We can’t breathe anymore).” (RTF)