The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) spearheaded the first-year commemoration program of the tragic Cessna 340 plane crash, honoring the four lives lost in the incident and the spirit of “bayanihan” that followed through it, in Camalig, Albay, on Sunday, February 18.
Said event, entitled “Pasasalamat, Pag-alala at Panalangin,” kicked off with a solemn mass ceremony held at Brgy. Anoling, Camalig, followed by a symbolic tree planting activity at Barangay Sua, Camalig.
As part of its BINHI program, the EDC planted over 100 species of Philippine native trees, emphasizing the significance of growth, diversity, and renewal in the face of tragedy.
Unity in Tragedy
During his speech, Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr., the incident commander of the 13-day Cessna search, rescue and retrieval operation, reflects on the successful retrieval operation, emphasizing how they were able to push through despite how challenging it was.
“Yung pinaghirapan natin ay nagbunga naman ng maganda, nakita natin na naibaba natin sila kahit gaano man kadami ang challenges noong umakyat doon sa may crater,” Baldo said.
Engr. Liberato Virata, senior vice president of EDC, expressed gratitude for the bravery and unity displayed by the community during the Cessna operation, highlighting the ‘bayanihan’ spirit.
Virata also stated that the collective efforts in Camalig during the Cessna operation created an inspiring story—while no one would want it to happen again, the experience revealed how resilient the community is, with individuals ready to go the extra mile to help in crisis.
Furthermore, Eduardo Jimenez, EDC Bacman Corporate Relations Department Head, stressed the importance of unity in times of adversity, citing the success of the operation a year ago as proof that collective efforts can achieve what may first seem impossible.
“Isang patunay na ‘pag pinagsama-sama yung lakas, at yung tulong pinag-ipon-ipon, magagawa natin yung pinaka-impossible—napatunayan natin iyon noong isang taon at napatunayan pa rin natin hanggang ngayon,” Jimenez said.
Also present in the commemoration are the Magnificent Five—Jose Obal, Marjames Mariñas, Orly Nantes, Gerry Nodalo, and the 69-year-old Roger Villanueva—the first to reach the steep and dangerous crash site, just 350 meters from the crater of Mayon Volcano.
Gerry Nodalo, 39, recalls his experience, saying, “Nakaramdam kami ng takot noon, pero nawala yun noong nakita naming yung mga patay na kailangan ibaba, siguro isa din yun na nagpalakas na magampanan naming kahit wala kaming posisyon, isa lang naman kaming farmer” Nodalo said.
Along with the Magnificent Five, more than 800 individuals from different sectors were involved in the rescue and retrieval operation.
Moreover, Governor Edcel ‘Grex’ Lagman emphasized how remembrance, reflection, and action are part of the healing process.
“To honor the lives that we lost last year, ‘remembrance is always a part of the healing process,’ sa hiling ko po kaipuwan tawan nin doon an collaborative effort po kang gabos na sektor na involve po kaining aviation accident, na first time mangyari sa satuyang lugar,” Gov. Lagman uttered.
The families of the victims already had an earlier commemoration event last Friday, February 16, at the EDC office.
Remembering the Four
Pilot Capt. Rufino James Crisostomo Jr., mechanic Joel Martin, and two Australian nationals, Simon Chipperfield and Karthi Santhanam, were on board the Cessna 340 that disappeared minutes after taking off from Bicol International Airport on February 18, 2023.
Search-and-rescue efforts were immediately initiated, and on February 19, 2023, authorities located the crash site in Camalig, Albay, near the crater of Mayon Volcano.
What began as a search-and-rescue mission transformed into a retrieval operation when residents of Barangay Anoling reached the site on February 22, confirming the deaths of all four passengers.
Due to challenging conditions, including dense clouds and rugged terrain, it took rescuers five days to bring the remains down from the volcano.
Finally, on March 2, 2023, the remains of all four passengers were successfully recovered and brought down from the crash site. I Alliah Jane Babila
