Help solve the murder of Kae Davantes

Bea Cupin

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Peddy and Beth Davantes hope public outcry will also translate into leads or tips for Kae's case

GRIEF. Beth and Peddy Davantes have only memories of their daughter Kae. Photo by Bea Cupin/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines — Kae Davantes’ father Peddy Davantes looked calm. His eyes were a little puffy but he says he finally slept Friday night. That is, if you consider 3 hours of sleep a full night’s rest.

Peddy has been working in Saudi Arabia for 33 years. He came home on Monday, September 9, to lay his daughter’s body to rest. 25-year-old Kristelle “Kae” Davantes was found dead in Silang, Cavite on Saturday, September 7 — hands tied, mouth gagged, with 5 stab wounds in her body — after she went missing shortly after 1 am the same day.

Kae’s parents, Peddy and Beth, said they’re still trying to get used to her absence. They’re also overwhelmed by the outpour of support from family, friends, and even strangers. The media attention takes some getting used to.

But they understand. After all, even when she was still alive, Kae had magnetism. “Malapitin sa tao,” her mom said. (She attracts people.)

Kae had a silly-looking smile, Peddy said, laughing. “Pero hanggang ngayon, sabi ko sa kanya, di pa rin talaga nagbago smile mo!” (Until now, I told her, your smile hasn’t changed.)

PROTECTIVE 'NANA.' Even as a child, Peddy says, Kae was already protective of her younger siblings. Photo courtesy of the Davantes Family

Hardworking, loving

When Kae’s parents came to visit the Philippines, they always made it a point to hear Mass together. How this family tradition would work out now that Kae is gone, Peddy doesn’t know.

Doon sa portion ng peace be with you… they used to kiss us, all of us. Kaya ako naiiyak kasi kulang na kami. Hindi na babalik yung dati,” he said. (The “peace be with you” part, they used to kiss us, all of us. That’s why I tear up because we’re no longer complete. It will never be the same.)

Kae was a dream-come-true of a daugher, said Peddy. She was obedient and caring, but also ambitious and hardworking. When Kae was 9 years old, she started joining swimming competitions in Saudi.

“I always told her: don’t aim to beat your opponent, always aim to beat your personal best,” he said.

She kept those words close to her heart, especially when she became an advertising executive at McCann. Her mother Beth worried because she worked too hard, and so late into the night.

Uuwi siya ng 7 am para maligo, tapos papasok agad sa work. Anak, wala ka pang tulog,” she’d tell Kae. (She would come home at 7 am to shower then go straight back to work. Child, you haven’t slept.) 

But Kae said it was okay. She had deadlines to beat and pitches to finish. And she never complained to her family. “Stress-free” is how her uncle, Vince Davantes, described Kae. “She just seemed to enjoy life.”

Life without Nana

With her parents gone for most of the year, Kae was an extension of her parents in Manila. “Pagsasabihan niya yan. Tapos kung ayaw makinig, she’d message us, magsusumbong,” her mother said. (She would admonish them and if they refused to listen she’s message us and tell on them.)

“Nana” is what her two younger siblings called her — taken from “manang” a term of endearment for an elder sister. But her siblings seem to have taken on their new-found responsibilities well.

When the family found out the dead body in Silang was Kae’s, Beth said the two called up their parents’ friends in Saudi to ask them to visit Peddy and Beth. “They were very worried,” she said.

Nana and her two siblings in Manila kept in close touch with their parents, even before the age of iMessage and Skype. Betamax and VHS-recordings, taped messages, and letters were sent to and from Manila and Saudi regularly.

Ang mahal ng phone call noon. Siguro mga P600 for 3 minutes, hindi pa sure yung connection,” Peddy recalled. (Phone calls were expensive before. Maybe P600 for 3 minutes, with an uncertain connection.)

When instant messaging came into vogue, surprises from their kids became more frequent. One time, Beth and Peddy recalled, Beth received a very random birthday greeting from actor Robin Padilla.

Kae was in a photo shoot, tapos nakaupo lang daw si Robin. Nag-send siya ng video sa iMessage, sabi ko, sino to? Tawa ako nang tawa,” Beth recalled. (Kae was in a photo shoot and Robin was just seated. She sent a video through iMessage. I asked, ‘Who’s this?’ I kept on laughing.)

When Peddy’s birthday came along, Kae apologized. “Sorry Pa, walang photoshoot ngayon eh,” she told her parents. But a happy birthday from their kids was more than enough.



Happy, sad memories

When asked what his best memory of Kae is, Peddy could not name one. He said every moment was memorable.

If he were to pick one memory that stands out, he said it’s the one he’s living now — that of Kae dead, lifeless in a white coffin. “It’s not a very happy memory,” he sadly said.

Peddy is kind and accommodating and talks tirelessly about his eldest daughter’s life. He said he isn’t usually this talkative, it’s his wife who’s the talker. He said talking about Kae has been helpful the past few days.

But he is still angry because of what happened to his daughter.

Tanggap na namin na wala na siya. Ang di namin matanggap, the manner na nawala siya,” he said. (The family has accepted that she’s gone. What we can’t accept is how.)

Kae will be buried on Sunday, September 15. Her 25 years have come to an unexpected and abrupt end. Authorities still have no leads on the case and the motive behind her death remains unknown. 

Peddy and Beth hope public support will also help the case. Any leads or tips will be appreciated not only by the family that’s trying to move on, but most especially by their daughter whose silly smile will never be seen again. – Rappler.com

 

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Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.