Camille Lou Castillo Libron is the Pinay Aboard the Ill-Fated Yemenia Airbus A310, 13-Year-Old Bahia Bakari is the Lone Survivor

2 July 2009

Camille Lou Castillo Libron, 26 years old and single is the Pinay stewardess aboard the ill-fated Yemenia Airbus A310 that crashed into the Indian Ocean off the island nation of Comoros.  The confirmation of the Filipina's identity was made by the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia which has jurisdiction over Filipinos in Yemen. 

Contrary to initial reports, the lone survivor among the 153 passengers of the crashed jet is a 13-year-old French national of Comorian descent.  In a miraculous story of survival, Bahia Bakari was plucked out of the water while clinging on to plane debris by rescuers hours after the plane plunged into the Indian Ocean.

More on this story in this GMANews.tv article.

In her blog, Adventures of a Beauty Queen, Miss Joyce Ann Burton shows two pictures of Camille, one by herself and the other with her best friend Vesta.  According to Joyce, Camille is a former student of hers at the Wings School for Flight Attendants.

I also found this blog post, Yemen Jet Crash, The Story About the Only Filipino on Board, by a close friend of Camille.  Spicensash describes Camille as "the most enthusiastic and happiest person I know."

We join her family, relatives and friends in praying for a miracle in the life of young Camille Libron.

(Note: Here is the first article I posted regarding the Yemenia Airbus A310 tragedy.) 

 

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Join the Global Bayanihan to Save the Life and Help the Family of Jailed OFW Dondon Lanuza

27 April 2009

There is an ongoing bayanihan to save the life of one of our kababayan who is jailed in Dammam, Saudi Arabia and is actually awaiting execution in death row. His name, Dondon Lanuza.  Dondon was meted the death sentence reportedly for killing a Saudi national on August 15, 2000. 

Using a Facebook account, Dondon sought the help of fellow Filipinos through the Internet with this desperate plea:

"I'm begging you all not to leave me alone in this fight."

Another Filipino OFW, Reggie Jose, who learned of Dondon's plight launched a Facebook campaign to help him in all ways possible -- to help his family and raise blood money to secure his release or maybe, even a commutation of Dondon's death sentence.  

In the meantime, Migrante Saudi Arabia has had this message from Dondon posted in its website for more than a year now, since April 23, 2008.  In it, he appeals for help not only for himself but for his two kids:

To Whom it May Concern

I'm so sorry for disturbance... Im begging your kindness.. PLEASE HELP... I would want to follow-up my Appeal to anyone...

May dalawang anak po ako, napahinto sa pag-aaral ng huling pasukan dahil po sa kapos sa pinansyal na di po kaya naming mag-asawang tustusan... Nakatali po ang Kamay at Paa ko, di po makakilos para maitaguyod po ang pamumuhay ng 2 anak ko...

Nasaan na po ang mga Programa ng ating Gobyerno para sa mga kapos-palad na mamamayan lalung-lalo na po sa isang OFW na katulad ko na isang PRESO sa Kaharian ng Saudia Arabiya? Di ba po na tinatawag ng Gobyerno na modern hero ang mga OFW dahil sa magandang ekonomiya ng ating bansa, ngayon po ang isang OFW po ay nananawagan sa Gobyerno na bigyang pansin ang masamang sitwasyon.. Malapit na po sumapit ang pasukan!

Ang Edukasyon po ang tanging pundasyon para po sa magandang kinabukasan ng kabataan. Nakaluhod po ako at nagmamakaawa sa inyo! PLEASE HELP US! Utang na loob, for God's sake.. PLEASE RESCUE MY FAMILY FROM HUNGER.....

Umaasa po ako sa pagtugon sa aking hinaing... PARANG AWA NA PO!! Attached existing file: I would like to request from your kindness some financial assistance which im having so difficulty of soliciting from others. I've been confined here in Dammam Central Jail, Saudi Arabia since August year 2000 and my resources has all turned their backs on me even my family, closest and considered friends which has helped me for the past years.

They cannot be blamed for they also have their own families to support of course... I decided to appeal to you as a Brother to facilitate my needs and at the same time to finance some of my families personal needs... Any substantial amount would really be a big help for me and my wife who is in really dire straits as of the moment...

Your kind help and utmost attention regarding this matter would really be highly appreciated... May Almighty God continue to bless you and your family...

Brotherly yours,

Rodelio 'Don2' and Meribeth Lanuza
Email: donlanuza@gmail.com
Mobile: +966551028601 and/or +966531181904

Through Migrante's intercession and Reggie's  Facebook campaign, PGMA has been moved, according to the DFA, to write a letter asking Saudi Prince Mohammad Bin Fadh to spare Dondon's life. But this is definitely not enough as the government can take more active efforts to help Dondon and other OFWs who face similar desperate situations.  

These gmanews.tv video clips tell us more about this story.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

You can join this humanitarian campaign by going to Facebook here.  

For those of us who enjoy our liberty, who can move about and can still take care of our families, please take a moment off your precious time to think of Dondon and his family.  

God can save Dondon's life but we have to do our share to make it happen.

Mabuhay si Dondon Lanuza!  Mabuhay si Reggie Jose!  

Mabuhay ang Migrante KSA at Migrante International!  

Mabuhay ang libu-libong Pinoy na sumusuporta kay Dondon Lanuza!

Sabi nga ng Sponge Cola, Dehado kung dehado pero hindi tayo titiklop! Lalaban tayo!

Mabuhay ang ating mga OFW! Mabuhay ang Pinoy!

Let's pray that God demonstrates His tender mercy and his boundless power in the life of Dondon Lanuza.

To God be the glory!

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