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"Life will never be the same for us without him around," a grieving sister of one of the Abu Dhabi accident victims told Khaleej Times.
Marie Christina Garcia, the eldest sister of 27-year-old Marvin Mendoza who died in a horrific car crash in Abu Dhabi on Good Friday, said life will be hard without the 'mama's boy.'
She continued: "Marvin taught us how to love. He has left behind a strong message that love is to be shared as long as you are there. He is the youngest in the family and the only boy. He would never hang up the phone without saying 'I love you' to our parents.
"He was a people's person and could never say 'no' to anyone. "A drummer, he loved music and loved life. But he's gone too fast."
While grieving for her little brother, Garcia is more worried for her younger sister, Mary Ann Mendoza, who survived the crash.
"She has lost both her brother and fiancé in the accident. The emotional trauma is unimaginable. She has strong faith, and is clinging to that to deal with the double loss," said Garcia, who is married with two children.
Mary Ann was engaged to Daniel Paulo Parasio, who also died ?in the same accident. "They met in the UAE six years ago, and were planning to get married in Dec-ember. We never thought their dreams would have a tragic end."
Lord Christian Asuncion Elli and Veronica Dulay were the ?other two Filipinos who died in the car accident near Shahama that claimed four lives. Mary Ann and Anna Paula Paulino, Daniel's sister, survived the crash.
"All the six in the car were not just friends. They were all like family," said Garcia. The six Filipinos - all from Dubai - were driving to St. Joseph's church in Abu Dhabi as part of 'Visita Iglesia', a religious practice of Filipinos to visit churches on Good Friday, when the accident happened.
The four victims had alighted from the car after their Pajero got stalled on the third lane when a speeding car rammed into them from behind, killing them on the spot. Garcia said their parents who are in the Philippines are coping with their grief.
"All their three children were away from them. I had to break the tragic news through a family friend before I could speak to them over the phone. They are heartbroken."
Garcia, an office manager in Dubai, said her two siblings followed her after she came to the UAE 10 years ago.
"My sister came here first in 2010, and Marvin followed two years later. Life will never be the same in the UAE for us sisters without him around."
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
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