CANADA – A Filipino is being hailed as a local hero after he died trying to save a 12-year-old kababayan in Ottawa.
Many Ottawans paid their respects to Michael Lumahang at his funeral last week.
He died trying to save the life of his neighbor, 12 year old Pinoy, Laurent Peralta.
Lumahang's mother, Aquilina Tremblay shared his son and Peralta were fishing when the latter slipped and Michael jumped in to save him.
"So I asked the boy what happened. Sabi ko paano ba nangyari. Sabi 'nagfi-fishing kami ni Kuya Michael and nadulas po ako kaya tinulungan ako ni kuya Michael. Sinagip ako'. Ngayon sabi niya doon sa isa, save the little boy. When I turned around, Michael was gone," Tremblay said.
Unfortunately, Lumahang was swept away by the strong rapids of the Ottawa River.
Another man who also jumped into the river, eventually saved the boy.
Peralta was treated for mild hypothermia and the other man also survived.
The police searched for Lumahang all night as his wife and mother waited along the banks of the Ottawa River till 2 in the morning.
His body was eventually found near Bate Island the next day.
"I was praying and praying. I guess my prayer wasn't working. He's already dead," his mother said.
Many Filipinos in the Ottawa community are still shocked by the loss of Lumahang.
He was active in the Assumption Parish where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and El Shaddai.
"Nakakalungkot na ganun ang nangyari doon sa isa mong maasahang mong kaibigan. Napakalungkot yung nangyari sa kanya," said Eusebio Panuncio of El Shaddai.
Art Cuenco of the Knights of Columbus said they were shocked to learn of his death. He said they are proud of his heroic sacrifice.
"That was a big shock to the community - not just to the Filipino community, but Ottawa as well - because the following day, he was the headline of the Ottawa Sun and his picture. They called him a hero and he is a hero," said Cuenco.
Lumahang was 39-years old and is survived by his wife Eva Soque.
SOURCE: ABS-CBN
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