JEDDAH, 16 November 2003 — Relatives of the Arcega family were still mourning the loss of Marilou and Reniel when death visited again — like a thief in the night — this time to claim the lives of Armando and Anthony Luigi Arcega.
Eight-year-old Anthony Luigi who was earlier reported to be fighting for his life at King Fahd General Hospital, died at 11:40 p.m., Thursday.
His father, Armando, who initially survived the fire, succumbed to blood poisoning at 5:30 a.m. Friday at the Saudi German Hospital, Arab News learned.
The deaths of Armando and Luigi leaves 5-year-old Dimler as the lone survivor of the fire that gutted their home on Nov. 8, an incident which moved Filipinos around the Kingdom.
Four of the victims died on the day of the incident. Apart from Marilo and Reniel, the other fatalities were Freddie de Leon and his wife Olive.
The death of Armando was totally unexpected, said relatives and friends, because his attending doctors have already declared him and Dimler “out of danger.”
Tess Nunag, Armando’s sister-in-law, told Arab News that Armando was showing signs of improvement two days after he was told of the fate of his wife and son.
Nunag said that Armando took the news “wholeheartedly” and even expressed his gratitude to God that he and Dimler survived. Nunag recalled that Armando was even psyching himself up saying, “I have to make it, or else what will happened to Dimler and me.”
Armando’s condition took a sudden turn for the worse Thursday evening. According to Ms. Nunag he complained that he couldn’t sleep, and that when he close his eyes he could see a mill of people with eyes agape, staring at him.
Later in the evening, Armando told Nunag: “Please help me, I’m having difficulty breathing!”
Those were Armando’s last words.
Nunag said she would ask her employer if she can adopt Dimler as her dependent and nurse him back to health.
Meanwhile, the Parents and Teachers Council of Al-Hekma International School said donations for the families of the victims have started pouring in from as far as Alkhobar and Riyadh.
Donors may contact council treasurer Ronald Mangua at 055-595-989 or assistant treasurer Carolina Bunsoy at 053-615-659. Those who want to directly donate can use the bank account of Ronald Mangua at NCB, Manara Branch, account number 1205054700010.
