A fire that took the lives of 13 Filipinos working in a hotel in Irbil, Iraq stopped Maria Angela Tumali Cano, 25, from fulfilling her promise especially to her uncle farmer Remigio Tumali of Barangay Pag-asa.
Her remains coming from Iraq that arrived at 4 p.m. of Saturday but left at 10 p.m. from the international airport in Pasay City reached Dinalupihan past midnight. From the local funeral parlor, the body was brought to Pag-asa where the wake will be held until the interment on Saturday.
“Maraming pangarap ang pamangkin ko lalo na sa pamilya ng kapatid kong si Remigio. Lahat gagawin niya para sa ikabubuti ng pamilyang ito,” Teresita Tumali Cabiladas said.
Maria Angela stayed with the Cabiladas in La Union after her mother died eight years ago. She was the only child. “Malambing na bata, lagi niya akong hinahalikan. Ito ang mami-mis ko. Bago siya pumasok ng trabaho, lagi niya akong niyayakap,” the aunt said.
Maria Angela worked in resorts in La Union before getting jobs abroad. She started her work in Iraq only last December. The aunt said she last saw her niece August last year.
“Huli kaming nagkausap Biyernes ng gabi na birthday ng nanay niya. Nami-mis niya raw kami at umiiyak siya. Sabi ko, bakit hindi pa siya umuwi,” Cabiladas said.
“Pinilit niyang makarating kagabi dahil birthday ng alaga niyang pamangkin ngayong Linggo pero wala na siya,” the aunt said in tears while holding in her arms her grandchild who turned five years old this Sunday.
“Marami siyang pangarap para matulungan kami at mapaayos ang buhay namin ng mga anak ko,” said Remigio Tumali, the victim’s uncle in whose nipa-roofed house the remains of the OFW stayed.
The farmer said Maria Angela sent him money last January that he used in buying pigs. “May pangako pa rin siyang baka para sa akin pero hindi na ito matutupad ngayon,” he said.
The old man said the remains of his niece will be interred on Saturday at a local public cemetery in Dinalupihan where her mother was buried.
