Justice for Manong Pukol: the Sagada one-legged man mercilessly murdered 05-10-30

	NORDIS WEEKLY October 30, 2005
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Justice for Manong Pukol: the Sagada one-legged man mercilessly murdered
By EDITH DAWATEN BAGU1O CITY (Oct. 28) — The one legged Sagada man. This is just one of the many descriptions for the late William Paleyan Lapaan in articles written about him and his successful venture in his Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-assisted fish terraces in Atake, Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet. Manong Pukol, as we fondly call him, conquered his insecurities caused by his disability - his left leg was amputated after he figured in a vehicular accident. Despite this, he integrated himself into the mainstream society. He persevered and successfully competed with normal people. Hobbling and limping, he practically did everything, from light to strenuous activities as though he had no physical limitations. Senseless Death What Manong Pukol failed to do, however, was to defend himself when physically able men - without mercy - mauled him to death, early this month. The crime remained unsolved up to this day. To us who know Manong Pukol by heart, these questions persist: Was his death a violation of Republic Act 7277 Magna Carta for the Disabled Persons? Did the law provide for the care and protection of Persons With Disabilities? We cry justice for the one legged man. The ladders of success Inspired and determined, he exerted extra-ordinary efforts to provide his family the best life he could. While his wife works at the Texas Instruments (TI), he devotedly took care of his two lovely daughters; protected them from falling when they began to crawl and started getting on their feet; brought them to school and fetch them back home; and accompany them to the parks and beach whenever his time permitted. He disproved our relatives discouragement to my sister on why she had chosen him as her husband: “Ekkan pay to sa ay mang awil es anak yo, es-esa nan siki na? (How can he possibly take care of your future children, he has but one leg?). Notwithstanding their doubt that this one legged man can earn a livelihood for his family, Manong Pukol ventured in hog and poultry raising, and worked too as part time broker. Why not? He had good PR. He also had the passion for antiques. But since he had difficulty in traveling to the far-flung areas to look for antiques, he dutifully and skillfully made, instead, attractive rattan jars, baskets, trays and bamboo ladders that were sold to both foreign and local indigenous item collectors. His crafty hands match his crafty imagination. He envisioned building ladders in the hilly portion of their lot in Atake. With the help of the BFAR, the first fish terraces in Benguet was built. It is sad to say, however, that the man behind it was gone - brutally and senselessly murdered. His dreams His dream is to see his children finished their nursing studies, pass their board exam, and establish their stable families. His reverberating words to his children were: “Adi kayo madanagan ken dakami ay ama ken ina yo, saka mi nangamong is pagbiag mi. Saka mi umey id Atake.” (Don’t worry about me and your mother, we can provide for ourselves. We will make a living in Atake). The spouses poured most of their sweat in Atake. They planned to permanently stay there after his wife retired from her work in TI, which is still many years ahead. But the plan was cut short. Nevertheless, he was buried in the foot of the fish terraces: to stay there forever! His legacy If there is an invaluable legacy he had left to his love ones, these were the words of wisdom and the memories of his unfailing love to his family. He may be gone. But the spirit he portrayed lives forever. #
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	NORDIS WEEKLY October 30, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Justice for Manong Pukol: the Sagada one-legged man mercilessly murdered
By EDITH DAWATEN BAGU1O CITY (Oct. 28) — The one legged Sagada man. This is just one of the many descriptions for the late William Paleyan Lapaan in articles written about him and his successful venture in his Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-assisted fish terraces in Atake, Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet. Manong Pukol, as we fondly call him, conquered his insecurities caused by his disability - his left leg was amputated after he figured in a vehicular accident. Despite this, he integrated himself into the mainstream society. He persevered and successfully competed with normal people. Hobbling and limping, he practically did everything, from light to strenuous activities as though he had no physical limitations. Senseless Death What Manong Pukol failed to do, however, was to defend himself when physically able men - without mercy - mauled him to death, early this month. The crime remained unsolved up to this day. To us who know Manong Pukol by heart, these questions persist: Was his death a violation of Republic Act 7277 Magna Carta for the Disabled Persons? Did the law provide for the care and protection of Persons With Disabilities? We cry justice for the one legged man. The ladders of success Inspired and determined, he exerted extra-ordinary efforts to provide his family the best life he could. While his wife works at the Texas Instruments (TI), he devotedly took care of his two lovely daughters; protected them from falling when they began to crawl and started getting on their feet; brought them to school and fetch them back home; and accompany them to the parks and beach whenever his time permitted. He disproved our relatives discouragement to my sister on why she had chosen him as her husband: “Ekkan pay to sa ay mang awil es anak yo, es-esa nan siki na? (How can he possibly take care of your future children, he has but one leg?). Notwithstanding their doubt that this one legged man can earn a livelihood for his family, Manong Pukol ventured in hog and poultry raising, and worked too as part time broker. Why not? He had good PR. He also had the passion for antiques. But since he had difficulty in traveling to the far-flung areas to look for antiques, he dutifully and skillfully made, instead, attractive rattan jars, baskets, trays and bamboo ladders that were sold to both foreign and local indigenous item collectors. His crafty hands match his crafty imagination. He envisioned building ladders in the hilly portion of their lot in Atake. With the help of the BFAR, the first fish terraces in Benguet was built. It is sad to say, however, that the man behind it was gone - brutally and senselessly murdered. His dreams His dream is to see his children finished their nursing studies, pass their board exam, and establish their stable families. His reverberating words to his children were: “Adi kayo madanagan ken dakami ay ama ken ina yo, saka mi nangamong is pagbiag mi. Saka mi umey id Atake.” (Don’t worry about me and your mother, we can provide for ourselves. We will make a living in Atake). The spouses poured most of their sweat in Atake. They planned to permanently stay there after his wife retired from her work in TI, which is still many years ahead. But the plan was cut short. Nevertheless, he was buried in the foot of the fish terraces: to stay there forever! His legacy If there is an invaluable legacy he had left to his love ones, these were the words of wisdom and the memories of his unfailing love to his family. He may be gone. But the spirit he portrayed lives forever. #
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