Lubang folk spend tearful Xmas after sea tragedy

Like most Filipinos, residents of Lubang Island off the coast of Occidental Mindoro welcome Christmas with a festive midnight Mass followed by a dinner with the whole family. But not this year. People’s cheers have been replaced by tears for those who had either perished or disappeared during an early morning sea tragedy the day before the commemoration of Jesus Christ’s birth. “Marami pang mga taga-Lubang na hindi pa nare-rescue. Marami pang mga tao sa lugar namin na nag-iiyakan (There are still many from Lubang who have not been rescued. Many people in our place are crying)," says Mariejoy Insigne, cousin of Bert Tamares who went missing after a wooden motor banca bound for Lubang collided with a fishing boat off Limbones Island in Cavite province on Thursday. Suddenly, news becomes more appetizing than Christmas dishes for Lubang residents. “Hindi muna kami nag-Pasko rito. Nakatambay lang kami sa TV at naghihintay ng balita (We didn’t celebrate Christmas here. We just stayed glued to our TV sets and waited for news on our missing loved ones)," says Insigne.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV However, Insigne knows good news won’t come out soon. “Nagluluksa ang mga tao dahil hanggang ngayon, wala pang balita (The people are mourning because up to now we haven’t received any information about our missing relatives and neighbors)". Three died and 24 others went missing after the mishap, according to authorities. But Insigne says there could be more casualties because a lot of families on the island spent Christmas without their loved ones. Lubang residents are not losing hope, though. Christmas brought miracle to the world, spreading faith from the Redeemer. “Ang panawagan lang po namin ay tulungan kami na mahanap sila. Sa tingin namin may survivors pa. Marunong lumangoy ang mga taga-Lubang. Umaasa pa rin kami sa milagro, lalo na ngayong Pasko," says Insigne. (We are calling for help so that we can find them. We think there are still survivors. Lubang people know how to swim. We still believe in miracle especially this Christmas.) - ANDREO C. CALONZO, GMANews.TV