The D Spot

When I learned of the details  of Amiel’s tragic death last Tuesday, even though I did not know him, I cried. I wanted to write a blog post to spread the word to please pray for him as requested by his family—but I could not. Here is another case of a young boy who left this earth ahead of his parents, ahead of all of us. And when I think about it, I say it is senseless. What could have been the reason of his death? What could have been his mission on earth? In the same way that there were no answers when our little Michael died, so were there none for Amiel. He simply had come home, true to his last words to his aunt and Ninang. “I want to be home.”

The 6:30 pm con-celebrated Mass last night was so touching (there were other Masses before and after that 6:30 pm Mass), one could sense the community mourning black being the more dominant of the clothes worn, except for Amiel’s classmates and schoolmates who were either in their PE or school uniform or their casual clothes. From the gate to the Grade School Chapel where Amiel’s remains were placed, people were coming and going, tears and gloom on their faces.

“You know, the guys who teased us cried the loooongest.”—classmate

After the Mass, a short video showcasing Amiel’s short happy life was shown. His parents, 2 elder brothers, a younger sister, yaya, and relatives, friends, the Ateneo community were there, including people that Amiel’s family do not know but who came to console, share their stories, pray, and just be there. His uncle even joked, “Amiel, you are popular now, even Boy Abunda sent you flowers!”

This is where Michael was run over. Flowers and candles were offered last night (during the Stations of the Cross).

I asked Amiel’s dad if that Tuesday morning, the last time he saw Amiel was just an ordinary day, or was there something not ordinary. It was a normal day when his dad would see to it that he was up to see the kids go. But yes, he said, there was something different.  In fact Amiel was already in the car ready to go, when he got off the car and came to his dad to hug him. Thinking that Amiel had an agenda in mind, like asking for additional money for projects or whatever, he asked. Amiel said no, he didn’t need anything, but just hugged his dad, and that was the last of it, next that they knew was that Amiel was being brought to the nearest hospital—to be revived!

thanks, Jane for this Youtube video.

Sad, my first and last time I went to Ateneo Grade School were happy moments years ago. When BA first entered Prep—I a young walking through that gate, so proud—my son was an Atenean (Angelo started as an Atenean only in high school), then Vince 2 years after until he graduated from grade school. The last time I went through that gate was when I took Vince’s report card. Last night, I came in and out of that gate with a heavy heart, memories of Michael’s demise back to mind. All Jane and I could do was comfort each other, as we felt so sad, and condole with Amiel’s family and yaya.  And all I can do is pray—for the safety of my children while they are not home, including the safety of all others out there. All we can do is remind our children to take precautionary measures on the road, especially when they are driving.

I also feel so sad about the mother who ran over Amiel. Just in an instant, her life and that of her family have changed. They are actually hurting, too. We can only pray for the healing of their families. Ateneo is right—they have to start counseling sessions for all those who have experienced trauma by the death of Amiel—the family, parents, and the Ateneo community. And yes, perhaps finally carrying out measures to improve the traffic situation inside the campus.

Today, Amiel’s remains will be cremated at 2pm at the Arlington Memorial Chapels Crematorium. The Alcantara family now has an angel in heaven, whose mission while on earth was “to love and teach others to love.” Amiel frequents Payatas and shares his blessings with the children there.

I found this website: Amiel Alcantara’s Accidental Death—This Should Not Happen Again. It has a lot of articles, from the accounts of his death, to letters to Amiel’s family, to the taffic situation inside the Ateneo Campus, etc.

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