DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – The family here of the welder who suffered injuries during a fire in an oil rig in America mourned after receiving on Saturday the news about his death.
“Sa kapatid ko, hindi natin hawak ang tadhana, talagang ganyan na para tayong sundalo kung saan abutan.
Sana kung nasaan ka man, panatag ka lang, hindi namin pababayaan ang pamilya mo,” said Artemio Tajonera to his elder brother, Avelino Tajonera, Jr., a welder, who died Friday, American time, while under hospitalization in the United States.
Artemio, also a welder in a local company, said his brother arrived last August before the height of the big floods in Dinalupihan. He said Avelino returned to the U.S. to report for work in the oil rig end of August.
He said his brother usually went home every four months, the latest in six months. “Kapag nagreport na siya sa trabaho niya, agad nakakakuha na siya ng schedule sa pag-uwi sa Pilipinas,” the younger brother said.
“Talagang ganoon, aksidente, hindi lang nabigla. Sana maihatid na siya agad dito. Nandoon naman ang asawa niyang si Edna na isang teacher,” said Abelardo Tajonera, 76, the victim’s uncle.
The old man said his nephew has a companion in the oil rig, also from Dinalupihan, who will be going home with an amputated leg if he survives. The other victim, still in the American hospital, was identified as Tony Tamayo, a rigger.
The brother and the uncle live in Barangay Luakan, Dinalupihan while the victim resided with his family in Barangay Pentor, also in Dinalupihan.
Jade Tajonera, eldest daughter of the victim, thanked her friends through her facebook for the prayers they offered for her father.
Jade was with her mother Edna, a public elementary school teacher, and two younger brothers in the hospital.
They left Dinalupihan for the American hospital about four days ago. Jade is a graduating student in nursing.
“After I sang a song, his heart rate started to drop so I called the nurse because I knew there was something wrong with my father. I shouted his name. . . I cried so loud. I wanted to hug him but I could not. It was the traumatic news in my life,” Jade wrote.
“Paano na kami? I am still graduating. I still have two younger brothers,” she seemed to ask in desperation. But regaining her composure said “I have to be strong for them and my mama.”
She ended her facebook message with “I love you Tatay kong pogi, kamukha ng anak mong maganda, di ba?”
