I have already set an itinerary for my valentine's day. 1) attend my job interview 2) my internet and cable subscription will be connected today 3) chat with my boyfriend. three things to really be excited about. i was excited, so eager to wake up and start my day. but instead of my alarm clock, an sms alert tone woke me up. it was from alfred.. hmm.. as usual he was so competitive as to who greets first on special occasions. or so i thought.. His sms was about an accident. Pastor Kevin or PK as we fondly call him and his wife, Tita Belle, had an accident this morning. They died.
I did not know how to react.. All I could feel was like emotions filling up in my chest. it was like my heart is swelling. i never had someone whom i personally know met an accident and died.
I have known Pastor Kevin for about 5 years now. He was the pastor in the church in UP where i became a Christian. He was a UP graduate, a rebel returnee-turned-pastor.He was ministering in UP Christian Youth Movement(UPCYM), a group I had been actively paticipating. I used to see him everyday when I was in college - wednesday fellowship, saturday choir practice, sunday service, and the rest of the week which was spent hanging out in our tambayan. He was a good man to me. And I know that he was good to me not because he was a pastor, but because he truly cared.
We had been to so many UPCYM projects together especially when i became officer in the group. we had been to caravans together, Bohol and Benguet. I especially like the part when PK would hang out with us in the tambayan. Other than God's Word, he could not stop speaking about his family, stories about his wife, activities of his kids and his desire to buy a new car.
I used to have some issues with my dad and once or twice I went to PK. He told me that there were things I just do not understand at that moment, but if he was my father, he would definitely do the same to protect me. and his words always made me feel good.
he once drove me to mrt station one rainy night from our wednesday fellowship in UP. as always, even if it's just the two of you in the car, he would always ask you to take the back seat because passenger seat was just for his wife. we had a different kind of chat that night. he told me he admired me because i was always glowing with optimism. it was the first time somebody said that about me. he said that he wished he had my optimism. he might be all words of encouragement to others but sometimes before they sleep at night, he would always tell his worries to tita belle. i found nothing to say. this was my pastor speaking to me that he has worries as well, so normal like me.
i came back to UP after being away for so long when i started working. i visited UPCYM. it was a quiet afternoon. he invited me to his office to have a little catching up sort of chat. I told him i now have a boyfriend. and he prayed for us and again his words made me feel good. he told me that he had always been concerned about us when we left the comfort zone of UPCYM to join the big world out there. i told him not to worry. i told him that Ate Vi, our other pastor, and he had instilled good words in us that i am sure we will carry with us as we go along with our lives.
i thought about him a month ago. i was meaning to write him an email, tell him that i am doing fine here in dubai. that i am so okay with my dad, that alfred and i are going stronger than ever and that i found a church and a fellowship group here in dubai. i meant to email him but was not able to..
today, i had to continue my itinerary 1) i went for my interview 2) did not chat with alfred. we decided it's better for him to go to the service for PK and Tita Belle. 3) my internet is now working as well as my tv connection. i was able to watch 24 oras of gma network and saw the news about PK and Tita Belle. The car was so wrecked. It hurts me to imagine their pain. I was wondering what did PK and Tita Belle spoke about in the middle of the accident when they were about to die. I cant help but think about their kids, Isabella and Carlo, who by the way is a splitting image of his father.
It sure was a different Valentine's Day. But it sure was a day of love. I had been a witness to PK's love for his family, his love for God, his love for the Church. And though there are things in this life we could not understand, surely God is in control. And he loves PK and Tita Belle.They are now in heaven. And God's love will surely be with Carlo and Isabella.
When I was still a single, I have always thought that if ever i get married, I will ask PK to be the pastor on that special day. And that will never happen now. But I am so grateful that our paths crossed.
PK, you will be missed...
***********************************here are some entries online regarding the incident..
Breaking News / Metro
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(UPDATE) Pastor, wife killed in road accident in QC
By Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 10:35:00 02/14/2008
MANILA, Philippines – A rebel-turned-pastor and his wife were killed when the car they were riding in was rammed by a passenger bus in Tandang Sora, Quezon City Thursday, police said.Kevin Alamag, 40, and his wife Avelia, 46, died as they were being brought to Malvar General Hospital, police said.
Joseph Arana, the driver of the Nova Bus Transport (plate no. TWL-703) surrendered to authorities, police said.A report from the Quezon City Traffic Sector said the Nissan pick-up (PKS- 856) driven by Alamag was about to make a right turn at the intersection of Tandang Sora Road and Commonwealth when the speeding bus driven by Arana hit the couple's vehicle at around 7:20 a.m.
The report said the collision totally wrecked the victims' vehicle.The report did not mention if there were passengers of the bus who were hurt in the accident.
source: www.inq7.net
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Couple killed, others hurt in QC Valentine road mishaps
BY MARK MERUENAS
02/14/2008 | 10:59 AM
Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us (Udpated 11:25 a.m.)
A couple died when a passenger bus rammed their Nissan Sentra vehicle Thursday morning in Tandang Sora village, Quezon City.Police authorities identified the fatalities as Kevin Alamag, 40, and his wife Abella Alamag, 46, residing in San Antonio village, QC.The police said that the male victim reportedly works as a pastor and was a rebel returnee.
Initial investigation showed that the two were about to turn right beneath the Tandang Sora flyover when a Nova passenger bus (TWL-703) traveling on the same lane hit them at about 9:30 a.m.The two fatalities were rushed to the Malvar General Hospital but were declared dead on arrival.
Bus driver Joseph Areno was quoted as saying he did not notice the victims' sedan making a right turn.Areno is now under police custody and will be facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide, police authorities said.
READER'S FEEDBACK:
From: Robert Salazar in Pasig City, PhilsSent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 2:33 PM
I am very much concerned with how this government is actually handling the transport sector specifically the bus and jeep drivers. They are the most reckless people in this planet and I have had too many friends and acquaintance who have been victimized by how these drivers behave and drive on our streets.
I have been hit by a bus, my client's husband was stabbed by a reckless jeep driver now our pastor was killed by this bus driver. I also was driving my brand new car when I was hit by a jeep driver making a left turn while in the right most side of the road.
Mind you, I had at least 3 accidents caused by these jeep drivers.When will the law of the land stop these menacing drivers?I would probably be right in declaring that 90% of these drivers are unfit to drive and yet why do we entrust the transport business to irresponsible people. Is the life of he Filipino worth a dime and a nickel?Will somebody be bold enough to put a stop to these instead of just politicking?
From: Eliza Shih-Chiusinco in Pasig City, PhilsSent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 3:19 PM
Thank Mr. Meruenas for your update. Pastor Kevin Alamag is the Exalting Ministry pastor-in-charge of the Greenhills Christian Fellowship at Ortigas.
His wife works with the WordTeach. We are in grief but the Lord has better plan for them. Please continue to pray for their children and family.
From: Anonymous in Quezon City, Phils
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 5:01 PM
The accident in T. Sora could have been avoided kung di "sobrang" bilis ng Nova Bus.
I know how & what happened. I am willing to help the family of Mr. Alamag kung mag-pursue sila ng case. Please do not attach my address for my safety.
Thanks.
source: www.gmanews.tv