Tragedy

Part of my daily routine at work is to tune in to the local news in the Philippines over online streaming via the worldwide web. I start my day with Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez and then after I’ll switch to RMN Manila until my day at work ends.

When I started working here in Singapore, the idea of being left out on issues which concern my being a Filipino bothered me. And so I thought of a way to somehow be updated despite being overseas, and the best way aside from subscribing to TFC at home, is to listen to RMN DZXL. Well, aside from being a responsible media network, two of their newsmen are my kababayan: Buddy Oberas, the news director, is from Abra de Ilog and Michael Rogas, a field reporter, is from San Jose.

Last Tuesday, I was listening to Ted and Korina discuss Tony Calvento’s feature on the Dacer-Corbito case. After they interviewed the personalities concerned, Ted Failon suddenly went off topic. He extended his condolences to his friend Buddy Oberas, according to him a tragedy happened to his family in Abra de Ilog. Details were not given so I immediately switched to RMN and contacted one of their producers Leo Navarro who became my chat mate since she started hosting the Bantay OFW segment. Every time there is news flash I confirm it with her.

So here is the story:

Last Monday night, the father of Buddy had a stroke, the family rushed him to a hospital in Abra but he had to be transferred to the provincial hospital which is an hour away from their town. Buddy’s mother and three brothers decided to come along in an ambulance to Mamburao. On their way, the ambulance collided with a van. The father died, his eldest brother died as well, his mother and two brothers were seriously wounded.

That night, I received a message from Edelyn that his brother had an accident on the way to Manila. He was supposed to fly to Taiwan that day. She told me that three people from the van died. Fortunately her brother is safe. The van from Sablayan with people I know was the van which also caused the death of Buddy’s family members. My sincere condolences to your family Sir Buddy.

I was shocked hearing the sad story. These accidents happen almost twice or thrice a year in my province. Our province is situated just three hours away from Metro Manila and yet our national road is one of the worst in the country. These things could have been avoided if the powers that be, the TRAPOs who are in position now in the province, have done their job. Shame on you people.

Twenty years ago, when our Governor ran for the position for the first time, I was in her meeting de avance. My sisters and I looked up to her, she was like the hope of our province that time. She had many dreams for the province and Rain even memorized her speech, and I can still remember the dress she was wearing and the famous line “I dream of Occidental Mindoro with people not knowing the meaning of hunger….I dream of Occidental Mindoro with concrete road from Abra to Magsaysay..blah..blah..blah…”

After 20 years in power, seems that this lady is still fast asleep with her dreams. Where did her dreams bring our hopes to? Twenty years and we’re still the same province without progress. How many more lives will be at stake? How many more families will suffer the pain of losing their loved ones from senseless accidents that could be avoided?

Sobra na.Tama na. Palitan na.