Executed drug mule's daughter urges fellow grads to be strong

JONES, Isabela — Executed drug mule Sally Ordinario-Villanueva's twelve-year-old daughter Princess May Joy, who graduated salutatorian, told her fellow elementary graduates to be strong despite the trials that would come their way. During the graduation rites at the Tubar Elementary School Wednesday morning, the young Villanueva said, “Let us be strong despite the trials and struggles in our lives." “We would study hard to attain our dreams," added the tearful Princess, who received three medals, a ribbon and a certificate for being a salutatorian and best student in various fields. But her radiance as she wore a moss-green gown and sported a curled long hair could not hide her sadness from the thought that the remains of her executed mother arrived from China Wednesday night, hours before the graduation rites. Her face looked sad as she was marching from the open ground to the covered gymnasium, with her father, Hilarion, gently holding her right hand. Princess said she and her brother Lexbird, who received fifth honors award in Grade IV, would make their mother up in heaven prouder if they fulfill their dreams. “We would study hard to attain our dreams," added the tearful Princess in her salutatory address. She said she would study at the Aglipay High School in Aglipay, Quirino province, just about 30-kilometer away from the far-flung Tupax village in Jones. Recalling her last glimpse of her mother when she was in Grade IV, Princess said she would always cherish her mother's memories and her mothers constant reminder for her to study hard to fulfill her dreams. "The fate suffered by my mother would be a bitter pill to swallow," she said, adding that her mother's execution has been a lesson for her. According to her, she wants to become a lawyer, even if her mother had wanted her to become a medical doctor. Meanwhile, she said her brother would like to become a policeman. Teachers and parents described Sally's children as "diligent." Tubar Elementary School's head Victoria Juan said Sally would have been so proud of her children Princess and Lexbird for being good students despite being left behind with only relatives to take care of them. Sally’s remains arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Wednesday night and expected to arrive in Isabela on Friday evening in Gumbauan in Echague town, where a two-day wake will be held at their house at the Purok7-Habitat village. Her remains will later be transferred to Tupax village in Jones on April 10 for the continuation of the wake and the burial later at the said town. Social workers have continuously been giving counseling and stress debriefing session to the two children. Sally was executed along with Ramon Credo and Elizabeth Batain last March 30 for bringing in drugs to China in 2008. — Joel Nueva/LBG, GMA News