4,000 attend Miko’s burial in Parañaque

Young actor Marcelino Antonio "Miko" Sotto III was brought to his final resting place at the Loyola Memorial Park in Parañaque City past noon yesterday by his family and fans numbering close to 4,000.

The casket of 21-year-old Miko arrived at the cemetery at around 12:15 p.m., with the male members of the Sotto clan serving as his pall bearers. He was laid to rest by 1 p.m.

Showbusiness personalities, including Amy Austria, Lara Melissa de Leon, Christopher de Leon and wife Sandy Andolong, Tirso Cruz, Miko’s co-actors in the television show Click and his girlfriend Angel Locsin were also present.

"Lord, Thy will be done," were the words uttered by Miko’s mother, actress and radio broadcaster Ali Sotto as she bid her son goodbye.

In an earlier interview with Ali, she admitted that her faith was wavering because of her son’s sudden death. However, yesterday, she appeared more composed and accepted his death.

"It is very difficult to bury a son. Dapat sila ang maglilibing sa akin," she said. I will love you with every fiber of my being. I will not forget you," Ali said.

She was able to overcome her grief because of the continuing outpour of support from her family, Miko’s fans and the heartwarming stories about him.

Senior Police Officer 2 Cesar Alawis said they deployed 20 policemen and 35 men from the Traffic Management Office to maintain order in the area.

People who gathered around the burial ground endured hours of heat and hunger as they waited for his casket.

Three women, Amy San Pedro, 51, of Muntinlupa City, Ella Gatdula, 56, of Laguna and Cecilia la Chica, 56, of Sta. Cruz, Manila came as early as 5:30 a.m.

"We are avid fans of the Sotto family. We always watch Eat Bulaga and Click. Napakabata pa niya para mawala. Para bang isang miyembro ng pamilya din namin ang nawala, gusto lang namin ipakita ang aming pakikidalamhati," one fan said.

Brazilian nun Nicole dos Santos, 38, of the Daughter of Mary Immaculate School, who had been living in Manila for 11 years was among those in the crowd. She is a regular listener of radio station dzBB, where Ali is one of its broadcasters.

"I want to give her a rosary and to tell her that we are sad because Miko is gone, but he is only gone physically. He is in heaven and he will watch over her and pray for us," she said.

Karen Kelly, the US Embassy press attache, was also there. "This is a terrible time for the family to face. I want to let them know that they are not alone. We offer our condolences and sincere prayers to each and everyone of them."

Locsin, Miko’s girlfriend of six months, was carrying a violet envelope that contained a love letter he gave her. "Even after Christmas wala pa kaming regalo sa isat-isa so nung tinanong niya ako kung ano gift ang gusto ko sabi ko gawan nya ko ng love letter."

Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III described Miko as a loving nephew who always looked after his cousins, at times acting as their protector.