PETRONILO Dagojas, an electrician of the Mandaue city government, is grateful for his “second life” which he said he dedicates to San Pedro Calungsod.
The father of two almost died when he touched a live wire while replacing street lamps in Hermag Village in barangay Basak last May 28.
The electric shock forced doctors to amputate his left arm.
“Basin gibuhi pako sa Ginoo kay pabalikon ko niya ug serbisyo ug plano nako mahimong devoto ni Pedro Calungsod karon nga gitagaan ko ug ikaduha nga kinabuhi,” Dagojas said.
(Maybe the Lord saved my life because he wants me to serve him and I plan to devote my life to Pedro Calungsod.)
Last Nov. 26, he paid Mayor Jonas Cortes a courtesy call as he resumes work after a six-month medical leave.
Dagojas has found a new devotion in St. Calungsod and is reviving his interest in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, where he was an inactive member.
Last night, he attend the third and final triduum Mass for St. Pedro Calungsod in the National Shrine of Saint Joseph the Worker in Mandaue City.
In his near-fatal accident last May, Dagojas and a co-worker were hoisted in a boom ladder up an electric post to replace a street lamp.
He accidentally touched a high tension 23,0000-volt wire of the Visayas Electric Company (Veco).
Dagojas was hospitalized for about two months and was granted a paid six-month leave.
He was discharged from the Perpetual Succor Hospital last July 11.
As a breadwinner, Dagojas never thought he would lose a limb.
Sometimes, he said, he would look at his amputated arm and wish he could rewind his life like a cassette tape.
“Usahay makahilak ko magtan-aw sa akong kamot pero wala koy mahimo isip magpasalamat nalang ko nga gilugwayan ko ug laing kinabuhi sa Ginoo,” Dagojas said.
(Sometimes, I cry looking at my missing arm, but I can’t do anything about it. I am just thankful that the Lord gave me a second life.)
After learning about the life and struggles Pedro Calungsod, he said he realized he still has much to be thankful for.