Christine Angelica Dacera, the flight attendant who, according to police, was a rape-slay victim on New Year’s Day, had one big dream for her family: to take them with her around the world.

Her mother, Sharon Dacera, fought back tears on Tuesday, January 5, as she recounted Christine’s life before a row of cameras and reporters.

“Simple lang kaming tao eh. Kasiyahan lang po sana ng anak ko, na ang dream niya, ‘yung kami na magkakasama na kapatid niya, at saka tatay niya, at saka pamilya niya, makatour around the world. Kaya gusto talaga niya maging flight attendant,” Sharon said.

(We are only a simple family. The happiness of my daughter, her dream, is to be with her siblings, her father, her family – to tour us around the world. This is why she really wanted to become a flight attendant.)

She described her daughter as her “beautiful lady” and her “beautiful baby” – the 2nd of 4 children.

Sharon perked up when she recounted how Christine graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines in Davao. Her eyes shone when she described her daughter being enthusiastic about pageants, even winning a Davao title.

She said all she wanted to do was hold her in an embrace. Then she wept again.

A reporter asked what she wanted to say to people who wrongfully victim-blamed Christine for spending a night with a group of men – a night that ended with her death.

“Whatever they are telling, that my daughter is bad, they can make their own stories. This is my only question: Does that give you the right to kill and abuse a woman who is alone. What is your right?” Sharon said, her voice cracking.

Sharon Dacera flew from General Santos City to oversee the probe into her daughter’s death. She said she will fight for justice until the end.

The police have taken 3 suspects into custody, while still looking for at least 9 other suspects who were last seen with Christine before she was found dead in her hotel room in Makati.

“They have to be punished,” Sharon said. – Rappler.com