Adios, DJ Maxi Bolongaita!

BAÑOC

To retain the memory of her life, the ashes of call center agent and broadcaster Marie Alexi “Maxi” Bolongaita will be mixed with soil that will be planted with a tree.

Last Wednesday, her remains were cremated. I was present during the last night of the vigil; and I learned from her parents that Maxi’s ashes would be brought to their ancestral house in Sibonga, Cebu, a place where her parents, relatives and friends can continually see her alive in the form of a tree. Such tree would be very symbolic of her 29 years of peaceful and productive life.

Maxi was raised with good values by her parents, veteran broadcaster Alex Bolongaita and Besy Ortiz. She was further taught with Christian values by her alma mater, St. Theresa’s College.

Her good foundation was manifested by her good deeds. Her jobs as a call center agent and at the same time a DJ of an FM station in Cebu showed her being hardworking. Her daily routine, which was work and home — to take some rest to gain energy for another work the following day — was proof of her being a good citizen in this country.

In the few days that I knew her as a colleague in the broadcast industry, I could describe her as a jolly, approachable, friendly and a witty lady. She was the kind of person who could not make an enemy. She was our 2016 Miss KBP and first runner-up of Miss Press Freedom of the same year.

I could not imagine how nice and peaceful our society would be if all people would possess the same characteristics that Maxi had. No wonder every person who knew her was shocked when the news was heard that she died with a kind of death that was brutal, to say the least.

But indeed it happened. Everyone can question why. Maxi is just one of the thousands of victims in a society where drug addicts and criminals still exist. Good that she managed to defend herself until her last breath, causing wound to the suspect that led the latter to be confined in a hospital where he was eventually arrested by the police.

All the witnesses and evidences pointed to Reynante Mambiar, who got the moniker by the people in Brgy. Busay, Cebu City, as “spiderman” being a master of theft and robbery by climbing up houses, a method otherwise known as “akyat bahay,” of productive people in the area. While in the hospital, he reportedly admitted to the crime.

During my live and recorded interview over “Straight to the Point” radio program of dyHP RMN Cebu with Maxi’s father, Alex, he said, “Aw kung akoy pabut-on patay na na siya.” I can perfectly understand the feelings of an emotional father who lost his beloved unica hija, Maxi.

But because the suspect is now under the custody of the law, I just hope that he would be given the commensurate penalty under our penal code. His background as a notorious criminal should also be considered in seriously prosecuting him in the court of justice.

Note that Mambiar is a recidivist. He has been in and out of prison for the crime of theft, robbery, carnapping, and last August 30, he was caught in a checkpoint possessing illegal drugs. He has been a pain in the neck of the people of Brgy. Busay and neighboring barangays.

The irony is while the good and productive person Maxi, who supposedly deserved to live more years in this world, passed away, the bad, unproductive, drug addict and criminal Mambiar is very much alive and kicking. He is well taken care of by medical personnel in a hospital where he is recuperating from his wound.

While lady and weak Maxi was brutally killed in her house by suspect Mambiar, the latter is heavily guarded and protected by human rights advocates so that no one can touch and harm him.

While the so-called human rights advocates are closely watching Mambiar and ready anytime to march on the street if something bad happens to him, how can government actively watch and protect its good citizens?

I hope justice will be properly served so that without doubt, Maxi can rest in peace.

Adios, DJ Maxi.