5 girl scouts laid to rest, but not their aspirations
Balita News Services
up and wove their dreams of achieving the Chief Girl Scout Medal
award.
Rhea May Coca, 16; Argie May Arcilla, 16; Bernadine Limotan, 15,
and Charlene Cayetano, 15, and Christine Oporto, 14, were buried side
by side yesterday in the 2nd Guba Public Cemetery.
They were among the 150 who perished in the sinking of the MV
Princess of the Orient last September 18 near the mouth of Manila Bay.
The fatalities included their teacher cum scout leader Cerlita
Hortilano who has reportedly been plucked out from the sea but whose
husband could not confirm the identification of her body in Manila.
There were only four coffins though for Christine’s body has yet
to be found. Her clothes were buried instead.
More than 500 people, mostly relatives, friends, teachers and
officials from the Girl Scout of the Philippines, Department of
Education, Culture and Sports, and the city government and onlookers
paid their last respects to the five girls.
Pura Cimafranca, executive director of the Cebu Girls Scout
Council said there were 20 GSP officials and more than 50 girl scouts
who came from Guba and other schools.
After the requiem mass officiated by Guba parish priest Fr. Tony
Medida, a necrological ceremony was offered as tribute to the girls.
Michelle Arcilla, one of two girl scouts who survived the sea
tragedy, narrated in between sobs how they worked hard on their
project, even during rainy days, to get the award.
“Maskin og kapoy kaayo ningpadayon gyod mi kay para sa lang gyod
sa award,” Michelle said.
The girls had planned to share their knowledge to other girls and
encourage them to work hard and also dream of receiving the award.
While in Manila, the girls went to Baguio. Michelle recalled how
excited they were to be there.
“Basin og mangamatay na na lang mi di gihapon mi makaabot og
Baguio. So bahala’g nag-ulan, suroy lang gihapon mi,” remembered
Michelle.
She and the rest likewise bought postcards for their families,
friends and teachers.
Before the ship sank Michelle recalled that it was Argie May,
their group leader, who distributed life jackets to the other girls
and who assured them that everything was going to be alright.
Michelles’ mother, Guba National High School principal,
Benedicta, said the girls were the best students in school.
“Mao gyud tu sila ang among pambato maskin asa, mao nang mora gyud
mi’g napiangan karon,” she said.
Benedicta thanked the girls for the pride they gave the school.
Tita Meca, assistant executive director of Cebu GSP Council, said
it was the first time that awardees of the Chief Girl Scout Medal came
Meca said that while girl scouts from other schools gave up with
their projects, the girls from Guba did not waiver in their
determination.
A Two-year Old Dream
As Pura Cimafranca, executive director of Cebu GSP Council,
recalled seeing the girls’ radiant faces as they received the medals
International Convention Center, she recalled that the girls already
aspired to get the award since 1996 and they all vowed to work hard
for it.
The girls worked hard in the food production and cutflower
production on lots owned by relatives.
Both Michelle and Annalou Borbon, another survivor, grew
eggplants. Bernadine planted string beans. While Rhea May, focused on
assorted vegetables.
Argie and Charlene, on the other hand, busied themselves growing
cutflowers, while Christine worked on squash production.
The money they earned from their hard work went not to their own
pockets but to the owners of the lots.
A Father’s Grief
Bernadine’s father, Reneirio, said his family now finds it
difficult to fill the void that his daughter left.
There were four members of the Limotan family. With Michelle now
gone, the three are now trying to pick up the pieces.
“Mingawon kong makakita sa iyang mga sanina unya wa na siya.
Unsaon namo pag-refill sa kahaw-ang nga tulo na man lang mi karon,” he
said.
Exceptional Teacher
City schools division superintendent Leonilo Oliva, said all
teachers should be like Cerlita Hortilano, who also perished in the
sinking.
Oliva said Hortilano earlier requested to be transferred to the
city proper but she later changed her mind because of her commitment
to the girls.
It was earlier reported that Hortilano’s body had already been
identified in Manila but her husband could not accept the reality that
his wife is gone. He reportedly did not make a positive confirmation
of her cadaver.
The couple has a one-year old infant and a two-month old baby.
A Mother’s Lament
While slabs of stone of the girls’ tombs were being put into
place, families and relatives of Argie May, Charlene, Rhea May and
Bernadine wept, some hysterically.
Christine’s family, however, sadly looked on. Unlike the four
girls, there was no coffin for her daughter. Only her school and girl
scout uniform and a framed picture of a smiling Christine were placed
inside the tomb.
Christine’s mother, Mely, was dry-eyed. She had been crying so
hard for the past two weeks.
“Naguol ko kay wa nako makita ang akong anak,” she said.
Christine was the youngest of five children. She dreamed of
becoming a medical technologist.
Cimafranca said the GSP Council is still following up the search
for Christine’s body in Manila.
The girls’ parents said they are still awaiting for the GSP
Council and for DECS to initiate the filing of the suit against
Sulpicio Lines.
However, Oliva explained that they cannot initiate the legal
action because they are not the aggrieved party. Instead, he assured
the families of the girls they will coordinate with Councilor Edgardo
Labella, himself a survivor of the sea tragedy, for possible legal
action against the shipping line.
Carrying On
Oliva said plans to feature the seven girl scouts and their scout
leader in a book will definitely push through.
Oliva said they will form a task force that will collate all the
memoirs and accomplishments of the girls.
Commentaries from teacher, parents and GSP officials about the
girls’ dedication to their livelihood project will also be included.
Oliva said the initial plan is to provide one book for every
school.
“We will look for people who will fund the publication of the
books. We will also ask the help of Cebuano writers.
Oliva said DECS has already gathered P57,000 for the girls. They
had spent P13,000 as initial expenses for the tombs.
The GSP Council intends to build a mausoleo-type tomb for the
girls with the GSP seal, he said.