Hope for pilot, owner’s families amid search

Hope still floats for the families of Capt. Jessup Bahinting and Nepalese flight co-pilot Kshitiz Chand as they headed to Masbate City to witness the search and rescue operations.

Kshitiz’s father Tek Bahadur Chand and his uncle Damand Chand arrived in Cebu City from Kathmandu, Nepal after learning about the accident from the co-pilot’s friend.

“I am hopeful that my son will be rescued because he’s strong. (But) we leave everything to God, and we still believe in miracles,” Tek said.

He said they are thankful that the government is doing everything it can to look for his son.

The father did not sound bitter  and said  he was touched that President Benigno Aquino was in Masbate involved in the search and rescue efforts.

Aviatour Air  flight school director Capt. Antonio Jureidini said they arranged a different private flight for them since their aircraft were grounded following the incident.

“We have arranged a different private plane for them which will only be allowed to drop them in Masbate and head right back to Mactan,” he said.

Based on his Facebook profile, Chand graduated from Aviatour Air Flight School.

“He’s one of the students who would insist on riding with our CEO (Captain Jessup Bahinting) because he knows he would  learn a lot from the experienced pilot,” Aviatour human resource manager Michelle Ferol said.

Chand had been staying in the country since 2011 to study and become a pilot, Tek said.

In Talisay City, Capt. Jessup Bahinting’s wife Margarita said her family is hopeful that he will be found alive.

“Nothing is impossible with God. His will be done. It’s a fact that life is just temporary but I know too that there’s life after death and we’ll be together again in that eternal life,” Margarita said.

Margarita, a 64-year-old native of Ginatilan town and the 60-year-old Jessup, a native of Siquijor who migrated to Dumaguete City in his teens, were married 36 years ago.

They have three children—36-year-old daughter Jemar who operates two flying schools in the US; 34-year-old son Dan Brian, a pilot and mechanic who also lives in America and their youngest, 28-year-old nurse Sarah Lynn.

Sara Lynn is in Masbate with the pilots and staff of their flying school to also oversee the rescue operation.

Jemar is already on her way to Cebu while Dan Brian will arrive in Cebu sometime soon.

Margarita said she and Jessup planned a routine visit to Ginatilan last Friday so they can relax in their beach resort. She said her husband received a call last Friday from Robredo’s office.

Margarita said her husband offered his pilots to fly Robredo to Naga City but he later agreed to pilot the plane himself.

Bahinting’s friends like Vicky Villahermosa said they texted Margarita to ask about his condition after hearing of the mishap.

“He’s a humble man. He accomplished a lot but he remained humble and he never forgets his old friends,” Vicky said.

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and his successor, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma both called on the families of Robredo, Chand and Batunding to keep praying and hold strong in their faith.

“Our prayer is for their safety and at this moment of crisis, strength and hope to the families,” Palma said. /Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua and Jhunnex Napallacan, Correspondents with Correspondents Carine M. Asutilla, Fe Marie Dumaboc and Katreena Bisnar