ANGELES CITY – The hellish conflagration – reaching 5th alarm — did not deter Timothy Paul Llanos Dee any from rushing head-on into the burning Pampang Public Market here on the night of Sept. 16. Unfazed, even as he was recovering from an eye surgery less than a week back, the head of the Dee Hwa Liong Volunteer Fire Brigade reflects on his action:
“Isang napakalungkot na pangyayari yung dahan-dahan mong nakikitang nasusunog tapos wala kang magawa. When my phone rang, hindi ko alam kung pupunta ba ako dahil bagong opera pa lang yung mata ko, wala pa man one week, pero nanaig pa din ang puso… lagi kong tinatanong ang sarili ko ‘pag may tumatawag at humihingi ng tulong papano mo sasabihing hindi ko sinagad yung walong oras kahit alam kong hindi pa ako pwede.
“May mga makukulit kanina sa sunog, may galit, pero yung sobrang nakakatuwa kahit sobrang pagod mo, masakit na buong katawan … may lumapit sa ‘yo nagpaalam at bigla akong niyakap kahit nasunugan na sila pero nagpasalamat pa din sa ‘yo.
“Sobrang nakakataba ng puso ito yung mga araw na nagpapaalala sakin kung bakit ko ginagawa ito. It made me feel alive and thankful for I am blessed to serve as a blessing to others…”
Netizens far and near have consistently commended Dee for his altruism. A virtual articulation of these is one from Miles Guiao: “A true public servant does not serve for recognition, power, or position. They serve because they believe that their work can make a Dee-fference in the lives of others.”
For those who care to know, Dee is also a member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Mabalacat. “Ang nag-iisang konsehal na nagtratrabaho sa dinami-dami nila…” opined netizen Roxanne Jardio. Punto Opinion/Contributed photos
