FAREWELL JASTINE
Family’s last goodbye 40 days after student’s murder
THE parents of murdered Jastine Valdez finally said a heartbreaking farewell to their only child yesterday.
Danilo and Teresita were joined by hundreds of mourners in the Philippines.
Ireland’s Honorary Consul Mark Congdon said: “It is their belief the soul doesn’t leave the body until the 40th day.”
Student Jastine, 24, was snatched off a Wicklow street, strangled and dumped at a golf club by drug-addled psycho Mark Hennessy, who was later shot dead by cops.
TRAGIC Jastine Valdez was laid to rest yesterday six weeks after she was murdered by psycho Mark Hennessy.
The student’s funeral took place in her native town of Aritao, northern Philippines, yesterday morning.
Hundreds of mourners dressed in white walked in procession.
A photo of the murdered student and the names of her family members were printed on a banner paraded through the narrow streets.
And directly behind it, a jeep towed a decorated chariot containing Jastine’s silver coffin. After the funeral Mass in a Catholic Church, balloons were released.
A portrait of the 24-year-old was positioned beside the grave.
Her grief-stricken parents Teresita and Danilo waited more than a month before burying their only child.
Honorary Consul for the Philippines in Ireland Mark Congdon said yesterday: “The funeral was obviously very difficult.
“They have had a long run-in since her passing, six weeks now.
“It is their belief that the soul doesn’t leave the body until the 40th day.
“That is the significance of waiting this length of time before burying her.
“It was also her birthday on Friday. She would have turned 25. They wanted to wait until that had passed also.
“She was their only child. It couldn’t get any sadder. Their pain continues.”
Jastine lay in repose at Teresita’s family home with grandparents Marcelina and Alfredo Caluza since her body was flown home from Ireland.
Mr Congdon said: “Her grandmother is a beautiful lady. It has been horrifically upsetting for her.
“I was there with them for a week and I saw literally hundreds pass through the house to see her.
“They have great support there on the ground. And we’ve been offering them support here. We have been there 100% for them.”
Jastine’s parents emigrated to Ireland when she was a child to build a better life for her.
She remained in the Philippines and went to school at the local St Teresita’s Academy.
Mr Congdon said: “She was raised by her grandmother until the age of 20 when she moved here to continue her studies.
“Her parents moved here to build a life for her, which is a typical custom for Filipinos, so their best memories are here.”
He added that Teresita and Danilo are expected to return to their home in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow. Mr Congdon said: “It is their intention to come back to Ireland next year, because their memories of her are here.”
A Mass was held for Jastine at the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation head office in Dublin on Sunday afternoon.
The union offered the use of its premises in recognition of the large Filipino community working in the Irish healthcare sector.
Fr Jim Bergin, who spent 50 years in the Philippines, celebrated the Mass.
He said: “All of the people I spoke to are still deeply upset and wishing their sincere best wishes to them [Jastine’s
family].” The accountancy student was snatched off the roadside in Enniskerry by twisted Hennessy on May 19.
It is believed the drugged-up 40-year-old strangled her with his bare hands just moments later.
Hennessy then dumped her body near a disused golf club in Rathmichael, South Dublin.
Cops tracked the knife-wielding killer down and shot him dead in his car at an industrial park in Cherrywood.
An officer opened fire when he thought the married brute was stabbing Jastine in the motor.
It was very difficult. She was their only child. It couldn’t get any sadder
MARK CONGDON YESTERDAY