‘He just wanted better life for his family’

GUMACA, QUEZON — His was a classic tale of a father who dreamed of a better life for his family.

Though only a fisherman, Rogelio Pababero, 61 — one of the three Filipino workers who died in Monday’s car bomb attacks in Saudi Arabia — managed to learn a new skill that enabled him to get a job overseas as a water treatment technician, first in Brunei, then at the Gulf Jeddah Well International in Riyadh.

"My husband grew up as a poor fisherman," Rogelio’s wife, Salvacion, told The STAR in an interview at their residence in Barangay Lagyo here. "But he had dreams for our children. He wanted a better life for us."

Salvacion narrated that before going abroad, Rogelio worked in Manila as a plumber. Later, he learned to fix water treatment facilities and boilers, which allowed him to work in Brunei.

"He was the one who installed the bath tubs in the palace of the Sultan of Brunei," Salvacion said proudly.

Through hard work — Salvacion also sells fish in the market to augment the family income — the couple was able to send their four children to school, albeit they finished only two-year courses.

However, he and his wife still had many plans and dreams to pursue.

The Pababeros reside in a small house beside the railroad tracks and nursed hopes to find a new place for their grandchildren.

"Nag-umpisa kami dito sa riles, mukhang dito na rin kami habang buhay sa riles dahil sa pagkawala niya (We started life here on the railroad tracks, it seems we will stay here for good because of his death)," Salvacion said.

Yesterday, Salvacion and the families of the two other fatalities in the Riyadh terrorist bombings — Getulio Templo and Serafin Hernandez - received P120,000 in insurance and financial benefits from President Arroyo.

In an unscheduled visit to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the President personally gave the checks to the bereaved relatives of the three Filipino workers.

Aside from the insurance gratuities, the qualified dependents can also avail themselves of OWWA’s scholarship program and entrepreneurship training.

Mrs. Arroyo also informed the dependents of the OFWs that the AMA Computer College has offered them scholarship grants worth more than P335,000 each. The grant entitles them to a full tuition waiver to a computer course at any AMA Computer University campus.

Last Wednesday, Mrs. Arroyo announced the appointment of Dr. Amable Aguiluz V, president and founder of the AMA Computer College, as special envoy to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Aguiluz and his staff have also personally condoled with the grieving relatives.

The government is currently coordinating with Saudi authorities for the immediate release of other compensation due the families of the deceased OFWs.

Mrs. Arroyo said the Saudi Arabian government will provide appropriate compensation to their families.

The remains of the Filipino workers are still awaiting repatriation pending the completion of the investigation on the bomb attacks.

DFA spokesman Victoriano Lecaros said that they are doing everything they can to expedite the repatriation of the remains.

Aside from the three fatalities, 18 other Filipinos were injured from the blasts, including two women. But Lecaros said only four remain in hospital with no serious injuries. — With Mayen Jaymalin, Pia Lee-Brago