Remembering Flight 387

ONCE again, families who lost their loved ones in one of the country’s worst commercial flight disaster will remember the day the ill-fated Cebu Pacific 387 crashed in Mt. Sumagaya, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, some two decades ago.

Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano will lead the "Paghandum," a commemoration of the 20th year of the air tragedy that killed 104 passengers and crew in Barangay Aposkahoy, Claveria town, last February 2, 1998.

"They will never be forgotten. We will remember them until our last breath. They are and will be loved forever," Emano said.

The activity started with a symbolic bonfire and candle lighting on Thursday evening, February 1.

Prayers and song offerings will also be dedicated to the souls of the victims.

A holy mass will be ministered today off the Flight 387 shrine, the crash site that was turned into a tourist attraction.

Provincial Capitol spokesperson Nicole Managbanag said several capitol chiefs of offices, workers, tourism officers and some families of the victims will join in remembering the unfortunate event.

Managbanag said tourism workers and capitol employees will also plant trees surrounding the shrine, as the capitol plans to turn the site into an amusement park in the future.

Lalae Garcia, whose husband was a relative of one of the killed passengers, said their family will offer prayers and flowers for the departed ones on this occasion.

Garcia also had two family friends, both were lawyers, who also perished in the plane crash.

"Close kaayo namo nga friends kining couple nga lawyers from Sumilao so every commemoration we offer prayers and flowers,"Garcia said.

Garcia said the incident kept flashing on her memories especially that his husband, who was among the first responders and rescuers, had personally took photos of the plane crash site.

"Ang grupo sa akong bana usa sa mga rescuers and nakakuha gyud sila og mga 200 `to ka pictures," Garcia said.

Garcia also said families and friends of the victims would regularly meet together at the mass grave of Oro Gardens Memorial Park here every All Souls Day.

There, she said, they would offer flowers and prayers since the Cebu Pacific management never fails to put up tents and tables and provide snacks for everyone present.

"Ang importante nga dili gyud malimtan nga maka-offer mi og pag-ampo for their souls," Garcia said.