‘He just closed his eyes, he didn’t even cry’

MANILA, Philippines - Thus sobbed Marie Ann Lirazan, when recounting how her 18-month-old son Gil Thomas succumbed to a gunshot in the head at the loading bay of the NAIA 3 last week.

Marie Ann recounted to ANC’s Karen Davila the tragic shooting of her son, who was hit by a stray bullet during an ambush in the airport.

“Parang tumango lang siya, tapos, pumikit na,” Marie Ann cried. “Gusto kong yakapin siya muli. Hindi ko na maririnig ang boses niya, ‘Mama, Mama’!”

Gil Thomas’ father is abroad, and Marie Ann and her mother flew in from Bacolod to spend the holidays in Manila with her brother. They were waiting for him when gunshots were fired, wounding Gil Thomas’ grandmother, who was then carrying him, and killing the baby almost instantly.

Marie Ann said doctors at the Villamor Air Base hospital tried to save the baby’s life, but to no avail.

Marie Ann says she cannot even imagine burying her son, because as of now, she wants to keep his lifeless body beside her forever.

Karen said the heart-rending story of Marie Ann reminds us all about the fragility of life, and how it can change in an instant. We do not own tomorrow, so cherish today.

The NAIA deaths also remind us that as we celebrate and make merry this Christmas and the New Year, let us remember those who are in mourning. Those who have lost a loved one, a home, a job, a pet in this traditionally merriest of seasons.

It is much harder for them to bear their sorrow this season because everyone else is celebrating. Their misery doesn’t have company.

Perhaps this is the time not only to reach out to the materially needy, but also to those whose hearts need to be wrapped in the warmth of affection.