FISHERMEN of Barangay Bonbon have drawn praises for their painstaking effort to retrieve the body of a Liceo de Cagayan University high school student who jumped off the Maharlika bridge (formerly Marcos bridge) of Cagayan de Oro in an apparent suicide reportedly due to depression.
“Dalaygon kaayo ilang gibuhat. Ang uban pasagdan na lang, apan sila nihimo gyod sa angay’ng buhaton nga makapahupay sa gibating kaguol sa nahingtungdan,” said Ta-egs Valdehueza in appreciating his fellow fishermen Bobong Balondo and Badong Bambam.
It was past 5 am last Saturday morning when Balondo saw a bloated body of a young boy floating off the Macajalar Bay some kilometers away from Bonbon shore after another blissful catch of fish.
It was still wearing a school ID that Balondo had identified him as that of 17-year-old Ainsley Jan O. Delos Reyes, a Grade 11 Arts and Design student of Liceo de Cagayan University.
Since he could not pull the bloated body alone, Balondo immediately informed the Barangay officials through his mobile phone and called on Badong for backup in successfully bringing his “find” to the shore before a growing crowd that included the suicide’s family members.
“Maglisod si Bobong kon wala si Badong kay ang panit sa bata tandugonon na iyang buhok gani nangahilos pagsakwat nila paingon sa baroto. Dili lalim nga sitwasyon kay didto kini sa may agi-anan sa barko, apan sagrado gyod ang tawo. Kon wala sila nag-effort sa Timog nga bahin sa dagat layo na gyod ang maabtan sa maong lawas nga posibleng dili na makita,” Valdehueza told Gold Star Daily.
Meanwhile, the suicide’s class advisers have shared on Facebook the donation call for delos Reyes’ proper burial as initiated by the Liceo University Senior High School-RNP Campus.
In a social media post, it has a corresponding message on it as follows: “Ains, as what he was fondly called by his peers was a cheerful, talented, and bright soul whose love for the arts was undoubtedly unprecedented. He loved performing and even in his final days, he showed great commitment, discipline, and passion for the art form. He may have gone too soon but his legacy and the joy that he shared with his classmates, family, teachers, and friends will remain treasured and valued.”
“Should you want to extend your generosity to Ainsley and his family, you may send financial assistance thru the Gcash account: 0991-430-5754 (Marianne Joy D. Pegalan).”
