[along with news of another unconfirmed death on the water, it seems the Pinoy community is never without its share of tragedy. Over the weekend another car accident claimed the lives of two of our own. Sharing a letter from a kabayan reacting, a Tagalog translation follows. Please visit the FB pages of GoodHeart NZ Philippines Foundation if interested in helping out the Dulay family. Thanks for reading !]
Dear Ghomer,
I was finishing a late-night weekend shift when I came across the tragic news of your car accident and the loss of your two children. I cannot imagine the pain and grief you must be feeling right now. You have my heartfelt sympathy and condolences.
You don’t know me, but like you I’m a Filipino who brought my family to New Zealand in search of a better life. Like you I provide for my children, but my children have also made me a better person. A more mature, less selfish and more forward thinking decision-maker of a family.
I know how much you loved your children and how proud you were of them. They were beautiful, smart, and kind. They had so much potential and joy in life. They were a blessing to our family and to everyone who knew them. I also know how hard you worked to bring them to New Zealand and give them a better future. You are a good father who always wants the best for your children. You did nothing wrong. It was a cruel and unfair fate that took them away from you.
You wanted to make your children happy by taking them to see the snow for the first time. It was a terrible and unfortunate accident that was not your fault. Please do not blame yourself for what happened.
Much as it would be impossible for me to imagine what you are going through, I can tell you how important family is for me. How often I place myself in the shoes of my family members. And how I would spare no expense, just to make them happy. And that is why I can at least in some small measure feel the pain you are feeling.
*****
I wish I could be there with you to comfort you and support you. But please know that you are not alone. You have your partner, your eldest child, and our whole family behind you. We are here for you anytime you need us.
Please take care of yourself and your health. You still have a lot to live for. Your children would want you to be strong and happy. They are watching over you from heaven. Please find some comfort and strength in the support of your partner, your eldest child, and your friends and family.
You are not alone in this difficult time. I and the rest of the Pinoy community are here for you if you need anything.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
A kabayan in Christchurch
Dear kabayan Ghomer
Nagtatapos ako ng isang late-night weekend shift nang mabasa ko ang nakakalungkot na balita tungkol sa iyong aksidente sa kotse at ang pagkawala ng iyong dalawang anak. Hindi ko lubos maisip ang sakit at lungkot na nararamdaman mo ngayon. Tanggapin mo ang aking taos-pusong pakikiramay at pakikidalamhati.
Hindi tayo magkakilala, pero tulad mo ay isang Pilipino rin ako na nagdala ng aking pamilya sa New Zealand sa ngalan ng mas magandang buhay. Katulad mo ay nagbibigay ako ng suporta sa aking mga anak, pero ang aking mga anak ay nakaimpluwensya rin sa aking maging mas mabuting tao. Isang mas may mature, mas di na makasarili at mas maunlad na nagdedesisyon para sa pamilya.
Alam ko kung gaano mo kamahal ang iyong mga anak at kung gaano ka ipinagmamalaki sila. Sila ay magaganda, matalino, at mabait. Puno ng potensyal at kagalakan sa buhay. Sila ay isang biyaya sa ating pamilya at sa lahat ng nakakakilala sa kanila. Alam ko rin kung gaano ka nagpursige para dalhin sila sa New Zealand at bigyan sila ng mas magandang kinabukasan. Ikaw ay isang mabuting ama na laging nais ang pinakamahusay para sa iyong mga anak. Wala kang ginawang mali. Ito ay isang malupit at hindi makatarungang kapalaran na nag-alis sa kanila sa iyo.
Nais mong pasayahin ang iyong mga anak sa pamamagitan ng pagdala sa kanila upang makita ang niyebe sa unang pagkakataon. Ito ay isang napakasama at hindi sinasadyang aksidente na hindi mo kasalanan. Huwag mong sisihin ang iyong sarili sa nangyari.
Kahit na imposible para sa akin na maisip kung ano ang pinagdadaanan mo, masasabi ko sa iyo kung gaano kahalaga ang pamilya para sa akin. Kung gaano kadalas akong naglalagay ng aking sarili sa posisyon ng aking mga kapamilya. At kung paano ako hindi magtitipid, upang pasiyahin sila. At iyon ang dahilan kung bakit ako makakaramdam ng sakit na nararamdaman mo, kahit na sa maliit na sukat lamang.
Mangalaga ka sa iyong sarili at sa iyong kalusugan. Marami ka pang dahilan upang mabuhay. Nais ng iyong mga anak na maging matatag at masaya ka. Sila ay nagbabantay sa iyo mula sa langit. Mangyaring makahanap ng ilang ginhawa at lakas sa suporta ng iyong kapareha, ng iyong panganay na anak, at ng iyong mga kaibigan at pamilya.
Hindi ka nag-iisa sa mahirap na panahong ito. Ako at ang iba pang mga Pinoy ay nandito para sa iyo kung kailangan mo ng anuman.
