Man who once contemplated suicide finds self preventing suicide attempt

CEBU, Philippines - The man whom Joavan Fernandez dissuaded from jumping early this month into the Mananga River from the top of the bridge found himself yesterday in a reversed his role this time advising a woman in barangay Dumlog, Talisay City against killing herself.

Ricky Bartolata, 34, of barangay Dumlog, Talisay City dissuaded Evangeline Legaspi from ending her life due to poverty.

Legaspi said without Bartolata's help, she may be dead by now. 

Hard up and with four children, she said she couldn't find ways to improve their lives.

 "Sama sa angel si Ricky Bartolata nga gipadala sa pagluwas nako ug sa akong pamilya. Gibati ko nga buhi ang Diyos nga nag- atiman kanako pinaagi sa pagka instrumento ni Ricky," Legaspi said.

Bartolata brought Legaspi to the city Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Like Legaspi, Bartolata, a trisikad driver, once contemplated suicide.

On July 1, Bartolata was about to jump from the Mananga Bridge when Mayor Socrates Fernandez's son Joavan, who was driving then, saw Bartolata.

The mayor's son tried to talk him out of it and finally convinced him to go down from the railing.

Joavan was at the place because he was obeying his father-mayor's request to verify reports about illegal extraction of sand and gravel in the Mananga River. (FREEMAN)