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OFW father attends graduation to receive deceased daughter’s medal

During graduation season in the Philippines, many overseas Filipino workers from different parts of the world go home to witness a momentous event in their child’s life.

However, the story of Art Tecson Jr., a Telecommunications Surveyor from Saudi Arabia, is slightly different.

During the graduation of his eldest daughter Allyza, Art was the one who went up on stage to receive his daughter’s medal as the latter has already succumbed to dengue days before her graduation, reported Cebu Daily News.

Allyza, 18, was supposed to graduate with high honors at the Asian College of Technology (ACT) Bulacao campus on April 4.

With a heavy heart and a framed photograph of Alyzza, Art proudly wore the medal on his daughter’s behalf that symbolizes her academic achievement.

Allyza was the eldest of five siblings and dreamt of becoming a flight stewardess. However, she fell terribly ill because of dengue fever and eventually passed away on March 15.

Art recalled that he was still in Saudi Arabia when doctors were trying to revive Allyza and that he had to watch his daughter fight for her life via video call.

“During the time (when) she was being revived by the doctors, I had my family put me on video chat so I can see my daughter. I kept saying, lumaban ka anak. Please, wag mong iwan si papa. But then I saw how weak my daughter was and finally said to her, anak give up na tayo. Pahinga ka na,” Cebu Daily News quoted Art as saying.

Art said that the hardest part of everything was that his own daughter died while he was miles away from home.

He wasn’t able to go home immediately because he said everything happened unexpectedly.

Art narrated that Allyza went home from a school outreach activity when she suddenly had recurring fever for at least three days.

Allyza was then taken to the doctor and was diagnosed with dengue fever but she eventually passed away.

“Ang hirap. Kasi, yung hindi ako makatulog nang maayos dahil everytime makakatulog ako ang gulo ng utak ko. Hindi inabot ng one week ang anak ko, bago binawian nang buhay,” Art said.

Upon learning about her daughter’s death, immediately flew home and arrived in Cebu three days before her daughter’s burial on March 24.

Art said that this isn’t the first time he lost a child due to a dreadful disease.

He lost his fourth daughter two years ago due to sepsis. Art said that he never imagined of losing two children who he loves so much.

Staff Report

The Filipino Times is the chronicler of stories for, of and by Filipinos all over the world, reaching more than 236 countries in readership. Any interesting story to share? Email us at [email protected]

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