‘She’s our drum, thundering for tougher gun laws’

The gates of Tala Elementary School in Caloocan City opened on Friday for one of its most accomplished students—not in celebration, but in mournful farewell.

The remains of Stephanie Nicole Ella, the Grade 1 pupil who died a few days after being hit by a stray bullet during the New Year revelry, were brought to her campus, where schoolmates, parents, teachers and other community members tried to grapple with the girl’s sudden, senseless death.

They all wept and demanded justice for Nicole, whose death at the hands of a still unknown triggerman had since sparked clamors for tougher gun controls in the country.

The Ellas are burying their seven-year-old angel today.

A column of boy scouts and girl scouts stood in attention and gave Nicole a final salute as her white coffin went past and was placed in front of the school’s covered court.

Taking turns to get near the coffin, Stephanie’s classmates shed tears in silence, some holding posters that read: “Justice for Nicole.”

During the necrological rites, Nicole’s best friend and seatmate, Alexandra Quinto, recalled how Nicole not only made it consistently to the Grade 1 honor roll, but also topped her classmates’ list of campus pals.

“She was a good friend and classmate. I will miss her because I always talked to her and we listened to our teachers together,” Quinto said in Filipino, stuttering, catching her breath and at times failing to pause at punctuations as she read from a prepared eulogy.

“It’s sad to think about it, but we won’t be with her for the rest (of our lives). But the good times we shared with her will always be with us. I will always pray for her so that she will be happy, wherever she is,” Quinto added.

Stephanie’s teacher and class adviser, Arlene Arellano, also spoke about Nicole’s precocious intelligence and self-confidence.

“As her class adviser, I saw and felt the strength of character in such a young child. She had a pure heart which was molded by faithful, God-fearing parents. She had a passion for learning,” she said.

“In this day and age where we can count with our fingers the children who truly strive to learn, I can say Nicole was one of them,” Arellano said.

Marilyn Laureno, the school principal, lamented the loss of such a young talent.

“For the Filipino nation, Stephanie Nicole Ella will be our thundering drum reminding our government to push for tougher gun control laws and enforce a total gun ban,” Laureno said.

Laureno, who is scheduled to relinquish her post soon, said her sadness at leaving Tala Elementary School was made heavier by Nicole’s death.

“At first, we were quite oblivious to the issue of gun control, but Stephanie’s death opened our eyes to the reality that indiscriminate firing is a serious issue and we need stricter gun control laws,” she said after the program.

Nicole’s parents, Jay and Ellaine, said they were surprised by the warmth and sympathy offered by the school.

“To all of you, thank you for loving Nicole and for doing everything to help her,” Jay told the crowd of mourners.

Then, turning to the girl in the coffin, the father said: “This makes us more proud of you, my daughter. Mommy and I will miss you.”

Ellaine appeared to struggle for words and Jay had to help her to the podium when it was her turn to speak. He never left her side.

“I still cannot accept that you are already gone, Nicole. I and your papa love you. It still hurts us both. We still don’t know how to move on,” Ellaine said.

“I hope this comes to an end. I hope the one who did this to you will be caught and suffer the punishment for his act,” she added.

Later in the afternoon, Nicole’s remains were transferred to the Lord’s Flock Sanctuary, a church where she sang as part of a choir. Her remains will be open for public viewing there until the 11 a.m. burial.