OFW recalls wife’s death in Vancouver car attack

Rome and Nerissa Pagkanlungan. Contributed photo

MANILA — Rome Pagkanlungan, a 45-year-old overseas Filipino worker, could still clearly remember the moments leading up to the tragic death of his great love of 30 years.

Rome’s wife, Nerissa, was among the 11 people killed after an SUV driven by a 30-year-old man deliberately rammed through a joyful gathering of a Filipino community in Vancouver, Canada on April 26.

“Para sa ‘kin perfect na sana ‘yung araw na ‘yun. Sobrang daming tao. Sobrang saya,” said Rome.

Rome saw the car speeding toward them. The crowd shouted, and in a matter of seconds, everything went blurry.

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“Sobrang bilis na nakita talaga namin na parang sinadya. ‘Yung hindi aksidente, sinasadya,” he said.

Despite having been hit by the car himself, he managed to get up quickly, and what he saw next was his wife lying unconscious on the ground.

“Tumayo ako kaagad, hinanap ko siya, and then nakita ko siya, she’s lying on the ground, unconscious. Then, alam mo ‘yun? Wala siyang dugo, walang galos,” he recalled.

He held deeply to his faith and hoped his wife could survive. But after a couple of minutes, medical responders stopped reviving her.

“Noong parang tumigil na, parang oh my God. Nagdadasal ako Lord…tumigil na eh. Pagod na pagod na rin ‘yung nagre-revive,” he said.

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JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS

More than a month after the tragic incident, Rome has yet to recover from the grief and trauma it caused him.

“‘Yung hate is parang hindi ko pa siya naramdaman agad, although nakikita ko ‘yung picture nung lalaki. Pero hindi ako sa kanya naka-focus. Naka-focus ako kay Lord, kumbaga itong pangyayaring to. Alam ko may plano kung bakit nangyari ito,” Rome said.

Nerissa’s remains, through the efforts of the Philippine government, were brought home to the Philippines on Saturday. She will be laid to rest in Cavite on Thursday.

Rome prays for justice for every victim of the tragic event.

“‘Yung tama sana ang pinagdadasal ko, kailangan kasing pagbayaran niya ‘yun. Kailangang may magbayad. Hindi puwedeng walang may magbayad,” he said.

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HIGHSCHOOL SWEETHEARTS

Rome and his wife were high school sweethearts. He said he may have lost his great love, but Nerissa will always be in his heart.

In tears, he gave a message to his wife.

“Unang-una, salamat kay Lord dahil pinahiram niya ‘yung buhay mo sa ‘kin for 30 years. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng pagmamahal mo, mga sakripisyo mo sa ‘kin at sa buong pamilya. Mahal na mahal kita at alam kong mahal na mahal mo rin kami. Wala kang ibang inisip kundi pagmamahal sa pamilya kung minsan, mas inuuna mo pa kami sa sarili mo,” he said.

“Pangako ko sa ‘yo, magiging matatag ako at malakas para sa pamilya. Mahal na mahal kita, mami-miss kita. I miss you. I love you, mommy,” Rome added.

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