Remains of Filipino seaman to arrive soon

After working overseas as a seaman for over 20 years, Celerino Batugo Pitpit, 53, of 150 Marulas St., Caloocan City, will be coming home soon. But not to the usual rejoicing of his family that has characterized his previous homecomings. He would be coming home for the last time – in a box.

Rino, as friends call him, was a second engineer at the Greek-owned, Singapore-registered tanker Bow Mariner that exploded and sank in the waters off the coast of Virginia, USA last Feb. 27.

He was one of the two who died on the shipwreck. Eighteen of his companions, including three Greeks, remain missing at sea.

The ill-fated vessel, loaded with ethanol, was reportedly on its way from New York to Houston, Texas when tragedy struck.

A quietly grieving Angelina "Baby" Buenaventura, 49, a native of San Nicolas, Gapan, Nueva Ecija and Rino’s wife of 21 years said her husband was an ideal father and partner.

"He was a caring, thoughtful father, a very good provider, a loving husband," said Aling Baby, who, after learning of her husband’s death almost two weeks ago, admits she is still in denial. "It was a big jolt. It was so sudden."

Terry del Rosario, 41, with whom Aling Baby grew up with in their neighborhood in Marulas, said Rino, who hails from remote Bana, Ilocos Norte, was naturally reticent. "Di siya masyadong makuwento (He doesn’t talk much) but was well-loved by our neighbors. He was also a Black Nazarene devotee.

Aling Baby said her husband left the country in September last year and she was able to talk to him at around 9 a.m. on Feb. 27 (U.S. time) while the ship was on its way to Houston.

At 6 p.m. of that day, CNN reported the sinking of the tanker. Baby said Rino was rescued and was taken to the intensive care unit of an unnamed hospital in Maryland after the accident.

Emilia, 48, Rino’s sister said Rino worked hard to raise his nine siblings after their father died in the ’70s.

Rino was a good father to his two sons, Froilan, 20; and Emerson, 17, who were both devastated by the news of his death.

Emerson is a freshman at the Philippine Aeronautics Training and Technical School (PATTS) taking up aircraft mechanics. Froilan, on the other hand, is a graduating legal management student at the University of Sto. Tomas and wants to be a lawyer. He is an active student leader and the auditor of the university student council, said his mother.

The university is due to confer on Froilan the Quezon Award for Exemplary Leadership, today.

UST Secretary General Isidro Abano said the UST community is "deeply grateful" that he was chose to receive the award "for his excellent performance."