Shattered dreams for Serendra victim

Rappler.com

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Marlon Bandiola was about to build his own house for his family

MANILA, Philippines – He and his wife were about to build their own modest house in a town in Cavite. But Marlon Bandiola died from a blast in somebody else’s home.

An employee of the Abenson appliance store chain for nearly 5 years, Marlon Castillo Bandiola was in Serendra, Taguig, on Friday night, May 31, along with two other colleagues, when their delivery truck was pinned down by a wall that fell from a blasted portion of a building in Serendra. The 29-year-old Bandiola died, along with Jeffrey Cunanan Umali, 32, from Sta Mesa, Manila; and Sallymar Natividad, 41, from Bulacan.

Bandiola is survived by his wife Norberta, a factory worker, and their son 4-year-old Mark Nathan.

The couple was looking forward to building their own house in GMA (General Mariano Alvarez), Cavite, through a government loan at PAG-IBIG, according to Mercedes Bandiola, sister of Marlon, in an interview with Rappler.

The future looked good. Mark Nathan will be turning 5 on June 10. They were making preparations for his first day at pre-school. They were going to move to a new house this year; they’re still living with Mrs Bandiola’s parents in Carmona, Cavite.

MARK NATHAN BANDIOLA. The son of Marlon, one of the casualties of the Serendra incident. Photo by Leanne Jazul/RAPPLER

And then the bad news came Friday evening. Bandiola’s sister Mercedes was watching the evening news when they heard about the Abenson delivery truck that was pinned down during the Serendra blast.

She texted and called up her brother to no avail. Eventually she confirmed the death of her brother through his wife.

Ang hiling ng pamilya ni Marlon ay sana tulungan sila financially at pag-aralin sana ng Abenson ang nag-iisang anak nila,” Mercedes said.

IN GRIEF. Norberta Bandiola, widow of Marlon. Photo by Leanne Jazul/RAPPLER

For 5 years, Marlon Bandiola worked at Abenson, tasked to assemble furniture. He stayed in Pasig during the week and went home to Cavite on weekends to spend time with his family.

The company promised to take care of the burial needs, according to Mercedes. At least 4 managers and staff of Abenson arrived at the Rizal Funeral Homes in Pasay City Saturday afternoon, but they refused to talk to media. On their Facebook page, the company said: “Thank you for all the prayers and the support.”

Marlon’s body is now in Barangay Milagrosa in Carmona, Cavite. – with reports from Gio Romano/Rappler.com

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