Division still mars Jane’s final moments

BAGABAG, Nueva Vizcaya — Even in her final moments yesterday, Jane Parangan-La Puebla, the Filipina maid who was murdered in Singapore, failed to reconcile her husband and mother.

There was La Puebla’s nine-year-old son, Clifford, standing between her husband, Cruzaldo, and mother, Paulina, in front of the altar when her remains received the last sacraments, with the two neither talking nor comforting each together.

Even the relatives of both Jane and Cruzaldo failed to settle the differences of the two even while Jane was being laid to her final resting place.

Earlier, Paulina accused Cruzaldo of being an "irresponsible" husband and father, even claiming that he was having an affair with another woman while her daughter was earning a living in Singapore.

Cruzaldo denied the allegations, claiming that his mother-in-law was merely peddling lies so he and Jane would separate. He said she has disliked him ever since.

He blamed Jane’s mother for his wife’s refusal to communicate with him until her death last Sept. 7.

Jane, 26, was laid to rest yesterday at the Aglipayan Cemetery in Barangay Tuao North in this town, where she and Cruzaldo had resided for years and where her late father hailed from.

Among those who joined her funeral were Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Rodolfo Agbayani, Bagabag Mayor Nestor Sevillena and Vice Mayor Lita Castillo, Bambang Mayor Pepito Balgos, and former mayor Victor Castillo.

Also present were former police general Thompson Lantion, spokesman of the Department of Transportation and Communications, who oversaw the transport of Jane’s remains to this province, and Dante Jimenez and Lauro Vizconde of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).

Jane’s mother, along with relatives and neighbors sympathetic to her, left the cemetery even before her daughter was buried, and returned to Bambang town.

Meanwhile, financial assistance has started to pour in for La Puebla’s family.

Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson pledged P200,000, while the Nueva Vizcaya provincial government, led by Gov. Luisa Lloren-Cuaresma, vowed to extend a scholarship to Jane’s son until high school. Lantion promised to put up a trust fund for the boy’s college education.

Since she was an undocumented overseas worker, Jane was not entitled to financial assistance from the government.

Lantion, however, said he would seek contributions from his friends in the government and private sector for the livelihood of Jane’s husband and son.

Another Filipina maid, Guen Aguilar, is indicted in La Puebla’s killing.