‘Mary Grace left us a legacy of courage’

BACOLOD CITY — The country’s first bemedalled woman combat pilot, who died in a crash in Mabalacat, Pam—panga last March 26, was buried at high noon with full military honors at the Bacolod Memorial Park here yesterday.

Thousands of Bacolodnons flocked to the chapel of the St. Scholastica’s Academy for the necrological Mass and later at the memorial park to witness the final rites for Capt. Mary Grace Baloyo who died while maneuvering an Air Force plane away from a populated area in Mabalacat.

A helicopter hovered at the burial site, dropping confetti and rose petals, as an honor guard fired volleys into the air and a bugler played taps.

All of Baloyo’s classmates at PAF Bravo Class 1997 and comrades at the 15th Strike Wing were present. Her boyfriend of more than three years, 1Lt. Ditto Nestor Dinopol, said, "Life must go on. She will always be in my heart as I grow old."

"What is most important is that she left us a legacy of courage, a legacy of distinguished performance which we will carry out in our lives. All our pilots will be bringing this legacy as they fly their missions," said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Defensor, commanding general of the Philippine Air Force.

Baloyo, who was posthumously promoted to captain, was also awarded the Medal of Valor during the visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo here.