Comedian Arvin Jimenez, popularly known as Tado, was among the 14 killed in a bus accident in Bontoc, Mountain Province, Friday morning.
The bus carrying 45 passengers fell off a 120-meter deep ravine, according to a report from the civil defence office.
At least 24 passengers were said to be injured and brought to the Bontoc General Hospital and Luis Hora Hospital, with four passengers still missing.
Tado graduated from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) with a degree in psychology, wherein he was strongly involved in activism. He also studied filmmaking at Mowelfund Film Institute and was among the founders of the group Dakila.
Tado is best-known for his unorthodox TV role on UNTV’s defunct cult television show “Strangebrew,” and radio jock duties on the radio program “The BrewRATS!” with co-“Strangebrew” cast members Angel Rivero and Ramon Bautista. He also owns an apparel and toy collectible shop. He ran for councilor of the First District of Marikina in 2010, but did not win.
‘Lumilipad na po kami’
A survivor, Charley Sta. Maria, recalled their ordeal on “24 Oras.”
Sta. Maria said that they had just crossed the boundary of Mt. Province and Ifugao and traversing the downhill highway when they deemed “nagkaka-trouble with the clutch, parang the driver was having trouble doing an engine brake.”
They sensed “na wala nang brake ’yung bus” and the next thing they knew, according to her, “lumilipad na po kami.”
“We fell out of the road, and then, yun po I think the bus must’ve fallen front first, head first, ’cause I felt it…
“It was just metal, flying everywhere, na metal grinding sound, crashing,” Sta. Maria recalled.
She explained the purpose of their journey.
“We wanted to bring the (son of our friend) to the community in Kalinga, so we can celebrate (his birthday) with them, together with the locals... We were on our way up to Buscalan, Kalinga, sana.”
She confirmed of being in the same group as Tado, whom she said was sitting behind them when tragedy struck.
“We were a group of friends; a group of artists, photographers, musicians…”
Aside from the comedian, their companions Gerard Baja and musician David Sicam also died in the accident, according to her.
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