Another day for Kuya Phany

November 30, 2011

I woke up from Kuya Ote's anxious words: "Boss, si Kuya Phany nalunod sa swimming pool." I realised it's 3 AM and from that, I just got a wonderful sleep and thought it was nothing but mere "kalasingan" of Kuya Phany. Then Kuya Ote kept pulling my legs, telling me to get up and see Kuya Phany. From that I realized something serious is happening and so I stood up and went to the swimming pool area expecting a Kuya Phany lying on the floor, being resuscitated. Thank God, I found him standing with Kuya Barok by his side.Assisting and supporting him towards our cottage.

I wanted to go back to sleep. But the idea that someone from our team had almost died, kept me awake. Kuya Phany kept telling me bout his mistake - that he lost his breath - that he miscalculated his swimming and everything. I wanted to scold him, but that would be to no avail for he was just so drunk that surely he won't be able to absorb everything I'm going to say and that he will just forget everything that had happened. And so, I kept my mouth shut.

I really got the chills with the things that Kuya Barok told me about the incident:

Phany was dead, as declared by the lifeguard, who panicked by the sight of Kuya Phany's unconscious body. He was seen floating on the water for a minute. And was later drawn out of the water with his tongue drawn back to his throat and his whole body on very stiff and lifeless state. Thanks to Kuya Barok's optimism and knowledge in first aide, he was able to revive Kuya Phany. Without it, I would have spent this night in Pampanga for Kuya Phany's wake.

I can't stand the thought of another one from my team would pass away. We've had enough already - Kuya Gary and my dear Kuya Bonong.

I've been away from my family for so long and I've tried everything to build a new family out of my new-found friends in the field. And it would be so hard to see someone bid goodbye. And though it would be ka-OA han to focus on this subject, I wouldn't mind sharing it for this has been a part of me. And though it doesn't always show, I consider myself as the most appreciative individual of the GE men in Certeza (of course, next to Ate Lala), most appreciative when it comes to relationships.

Well, I guess it was really not yet Phanoy's time to leave for God still gave him another day to drink and get drunk once more. Hahaha.

After all that has happened at dawn, I spent all my time waiting for the sun to rise, for I can't go to sleep. I was then so really thankful that Kuya Phany has once again survived.

Later, I found Art sleeping inside the van and Ruby Ann with Syd on one of the cottages.

PHOTO: Sunrise in Sariaya. Strolling by the beach, waiting for the sun to rise.

PHOTO: Picture-taking before demobilization.
From Left: Kuya Barok,, Broder, Arnel, Kuya Phany, Kuya Rudy, Eric Atinas, Kuya Toloy, and Kuya Otep (seated)

PHOTO: Dinner @ Kuya Barok's house. It was about 7 in the evening when we arrived in Sariaya. We found the survey team preparing the food for the overnight stay in Villa Del Prado Resort.
(clockwise from left: B-ann, Jefferson (OJT), Reyfel, Art, and Martin (OJT)