I got a breaker to go online and cut and paste this for a quick update.
First of all, I am overwhelmed by the overflowing support, prayers and love from all of you who have texted, emailed. called, participated in this thread and this and even rushed to Pampanga. Now, all the more, I KNOW that God caused miracle after miracle during our ordeal because of the many, many people who have prayed for us. We are experiencing today great love surrounding us. We appreciate all of you.
PART 1- The Assault
It was an impromptu decision of the family to go to Clark, Pampanga, Friday afternoon (Feb9) for the Hotair Balloon Fiesta and planned to sleep over our relatives’ house so we could take off early morning Saturday. I was supposed to attend the Print Like A Pro that evening, but as I said, it was a sudden change of plan.
We were 7 in the Starex Van (wife, 4 kids, a nephew and me driving). We picked up my brother-in-law and wife and their 3-yr old alaga just before we entered Clark. So we were all 10 in the van. Re-arranged our seats so my wife and daughter Hazel (10) were seating in front.
We entered Clark past 5pm wanting to see the show at 5:30 (accdg to sched). It was a leisurely drive, sun starting to set. We asked for direction along the road and continued driving. Two minutes later, (I think we’re traveling around 70kph or even slower)… I saw at the left corner of my eye… a speeding jeepney, from the opposite lane, curving at top speed towards us… WHAM!!!
I didn’t even have time to react. It was that fast… all in a split second. In a normal driving scene, that vehicle should have passed us by on the opposite lane. No big deal. Not this time. It was, I felt, a direct assault on us, like a missile hitting us head-on… bull’s-eye!
Next thing I remember, the airbag was all over my face. I pushed it out and saw the most shocking, most dreadful sight of my life. Smoke, broken glasses, blood. I saw Hazel’s face and my wife’s face in blood! The rest of the passengers were crying. I couldn’t get out of my door side. I remember shouting, “Mga anak ko! Hazel! Hazel!!!” (see continuation)
***********************
To cut this short for now… casualties: My wife was operated on her left wrist and implanted a metal pin and was cast. Suffered a big bump on the head. My eldest daughter also was cast due to broken arm and dislocated shoulder. My son was bruised black and blue but generally ok and so is my nephew. Hazel needed to undergo facial surgery under a plastic surgeon (I don’t want any scar remind her of this accident whenever she looks at the mirror). My brother-in-law suffered a broken neck on xray with complications on the c-5, c-6 section of his spine (life-threatening!). He also got 19-stitches on his head. Praise God the result of the MRI the next day showed a miraculous re-alignment of his neck spine (because of our prayers!). His wife had the worst fracture, also on the left arm. We’re praying for a miraculous healing on this as well.
The two youngest kids were divinely spared. Praise God.
Me, the driver? Second life! I was hit the hardest. If not for the airbag (thank God), I don’t know what could have happened. No broken bones, just minor bruises and a painful chest, that’s all.
God has a purpose for all things. Romans 8:28 says, “For God causes all
things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called
according to His purpose.”
God has hedged us, protected us from this “direct assault” and preserved us for His glory! Our lives are in His Hands.
Amidst all these, i was able to grab my camera and document the scene (this was after my family was rushed to the hospital. i was left on the scene).
my cam was set to b&w the previous day. i just shoot.
most bystander and police would comment, "patay ang driver nito." and
then they would ask me as I was shooting, "where's the driver?"
(assuming perhaps an answer like.. rushed to the hospital). I'd answer,
"I was driving." (They'd drop their jaw in amazement). You'd notice my van was straight on its lane, far from the middle. The jeepney hit us coming from the opposite lane.
The man was a passenger (one of the two) who was drunk ( a companion of the driver... you draw the conclusion). He was also rushed to the hospital. He turned out with no major injury. The very elusive Hotair Balloon fiesta. Abot-tanaw na.
(There's part 2, 3 and 4 and some more pictures. Thank you and God bless!)
 | tks god :)
friend are you ok ? |
 | glad you are all okay. they should really have stricter fines with regards to drinking under the influence!
were you all wearing seatbelts? |
 | xaili wrote on Feb 11, '07 we're all praying for you kuya dave. send our love to your family. i think mama wants to go to pampanga to check on tita nory and the kids. the Lord reigns sovereign in all these. |
 | kuya dave, i thank God because you and your family are ok... i pray para sa mabilis na paggaling nyo po lahat... |
 | God is wonderful! I hope you and your family heal well. God bless! |
 | My prayers are with you and your family, sir. |
 | hi dave, sorry didnt hear from sir boy about this yet. shocked but praise God for his faithfulness to you and your family. will have you all in prayers.
|
 | Thank God you are all okay Pastor Dave... God i so so Good! We're praying for fast recovery of Hazel and Ate Nory...and relatives... |
| I remember shouting, “Mga anak ko! Hazel! Hazel!!!”
i almost cried while reading it....ganyan talaga magmahal ang mga magulang...:) |
 | Dave, my prayersfor you and your family continous. |
 | i heard about what happened saturday morning. i thought i was dreaming because i just woke up from my mom's call. she told me you had an accident. and i heard the whole details from tita norma...
"the world cannot produce that kind of living. It does not know how to take trials with a smile, to endure hardships with faith and patience and joy. As far as the world is concerned, this takes an unknown kind of power the power that is resident only in Jesus Christ. This power will transform our hardships and our difficulties into joyful experiences, not just phony manifestations of joy. They are genuine..." Ray C. Stedman |
 | So many things run through my mind! I know I wanted to say something profound, something different... if I did, I would probably just say nothing, in the end... thank God you're all safe! |
 | hope you all get well soon <3 |
 | thank God immensely for keeping you and your family with us!!!
we'll all be praying for your speedy and complete recovery! |
 | Great great great news Dave! Get well soon. Thank God! Whew! |
 | Sir Dave, Thank god you and your family were safe. God still have a purpose for you. Your a good man and so many kids loves you very much. Take care. |
 | Get well soon to you and all of your family. |
 | i'm so so so glad you're all okay... i mean, almost back to okay. whew!!! i couldn't really shoot well sat morning because i really was still in shock. note: check the photos (not outstanding) hahahahha
ayan, pagaling ka na para we can start shooting again.
my family and i will continue praying for your family's speedy (speedier) recovery.
God is good... and that's why we at DPP, NIKON and all other groups still have you. |
 | koreenmarie wrote on Feb 12, '07, edited on Feb 12, '07 Yehey! God is good. Buti na lang walang namatay sa atin. Hehehe. |
 | Hey Kuys, been waiting for Ate's call again. I've been praying a lot and was even thinking of getting a short break from work para umuwi sa Pinas. I'm so glad all of you are "okay" - God is really good. Looking at the pictures, I get goose bumps - grabe!!!! Ate Nory, get well soon. Koreen, Jondi, Hazel and Bea - always thank Jesus for His love and protection....will give Dr. Tablante a call as soon as I can (I've been trying). Love you all. |
 | The ATS foto club backs you in prayers, and gives thanks for the mercies of God. Dave, your steady spirit inspires all of us. |
 | Praise God that you and your family are okay, Dave... |
 | pastor dave, im glad u and ur family, with God's love, are now ok, tita beth texted me that very day it happened. many are still praying for the continuous healing not just the physical injuries. i do hope that the trauma it caused would soon be erased,especially for the trinidad kids. Praise God for his love for you and your family. |
 | oh.my.god. prayers.. prayers.. and thank GOD you&your family are safe. |
 | prayers for the speedy recovery of your loved ones sir... |
 | i hope everyone involved in the accident is ok...
will continue to send prayers for speedy recovery =)
|
 | navea2z wrote on Feb 12, '07, edited on Feb 12, '07 Thanks for sharing this kuya Dave. We were all shocked when we heard of what happened. We pray that you all get well soon. |
 | kjaex wrote on Feb 12, '07 I thank the Lord for keeping you and your family safe Sir Dave... |
 | We praise God you are all safe. God is good all the time! Declare His glory Pastor Dave! Another powerful message of God's grace awaits His people through you. |
 | thank God for airbags Dave, but God is really the greatest airbag protector of all..:) hoping for you and your family's speedy recovery.. |
 | Can't wait to hear the next Sunday sermon that God will give through you po. Peyborit ka talaga ni Lord, Ninong, hehe. I can see it now, your whole family, your four kids, you and Ninang Sweets, being used by God mightily for His glory after this one of a kind milestone. God's favor, definitely. :) |
 | Thank God that you and your family are alright. |
 | Because you told us this story dave, hot air balloons will be giving us new meaning, new hope as well starting now. We'll be praying for everybody's recovery. Praise and Thank God. Thank you for sharing with us your miraulous story. |
 | When God loves, he loves completely. It was amazing how all of you were able to come through the accident in a positive state. Praise God for His protection. We're continuously praying for the recovery of everyone (emotionally, mentally and physically).
Truly a one-of-a-kind testimony. To God be all the glory. :)
(ngayon napatunayang kong dugong photographer po talaga kayo kuya dave, walang pinalalagpas :p) |
 | vibay wrote on Feb 13, '07 Praise God for all the answered prayers!. Ka-text ko pa non si Nory several minutes before you had the accident. God's ways are not really our ways but we could just rest on His words and His love, and His protection.
Thank you for all the answered prayers. Dave & Nory -- ang dami-daming nagmamahal sa inyo because you are truly God's servants! |
 | i was shocked when i heard the news from ate ivy tito dave. it's good to know that you and you're family are safe now. i pray for a speed recovery. your family is so blessed! :) |
 | Praise God nothing that bad really happened to your family and all of you are safe now. I'm also praying for a fast recovery for your family: tito dave, tita nory and of course my favorite kids: koreen ,jondi bea and hazel :) Sobrang pinagpray ko po sila..the "trauma" it may bring and especially on what happened to beloved byutipul Hazel, my kinakapatid:) i think mom already talked to her yesterday, comparing the same incident on what happened to me when i was young (when my whole face and body got burned and bloody bec. of a certain sickness/allergy..but look at now, the scars are gone!) so i hope that'll give her a lot of encouragement and smile :D
God really loves YOU and your family tito dave! Kudos to the kids and tita nory :)
~jeline ^___^ |
| Thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers. Please read succeeding part of the story. |
|  Hey Kuys, been waiting for Ate's call again. I've been praying a lot and was even thinking of getting a short break from work para umuwi sa Pinas. I'm so glad all of you are "okay" - God is really good. Looking at the pictures, I get goose bumps - grabe!!!! Ate Nory, get well soon. Koreen, Jondi, Hazel and Bea - always thank Jesus for His love and protection....will give Dr. Tablante a call as soon as I can (I've been trying). Love you all.  I appreciate Dr. Tablante. He was God-sent to us as well. |
 | Good thing you were all ok after the incident. God is with you. My prayers are with you for your family's speedy recovery. |
 | kuya dave... God is sovereign in everything and i admire the presence of mind you had for your family. i prayed as soon as sir boy sent messages to pray for you. be assured of more prayers of healing, recovery and finding the graciousness of God despite this. take care and i'm sure there is always a next time for hot air balloons... maybe that time you and your family will be riding on one hot air balloon seeing the vast glory and power of God... you are blessed! |
 | Hi Dave. Pia Sison here from DPP. I don't know you personally but somehow, DPP has created a special bond among its members. Your testimony is a clear sign of God's love and faithfulness. I am moved to tears & I am truly happy you are all out of danger. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. Praise the Lord. |
 | natawa naman ako, kala ko nakaayos pa rin talaga ang settings ng camera kahit nasa aksidente! haha
kuya dave, of all! ikaw pa ang naiwan sa scene at hindi ni-rush sa ospital! i was marveling at a hot air balloon photo of the festival when mom told me about it, how surreal. how can you say God doesn't play favorites? eh peborit na peborit ka niya haha kidding. God's favor is more like it, eh? sana hindi masyadong severe yung injuries sa face ni hazel! |
 | i learned about the accident 20 minutes after it happened, dad texted me. i was driving then, but i couldn't rest my mind, i wanna know what happened to my kuya and ate, the kids i love so much, i called my dad twice - five minutes apart, asking for updates..he has none. all i can do was cry to the Lord, for Him to envelope the kids..they are so fragile..and so happy..parang i can't take anything bad to happen to them, at least no permanent marks, no permanent injuries..i wanted to zoom out to clark..but my car may not make it there and i'll end up on a mess of my own..hehe..so there i was..stuck in c5 traffic..prayin' to the Lord in tears..and now praising God for the miracles He's done. |
 | Dear Dave - I cried when I read Rhiza's email na naaksidente kayong mag-anak. Reading about the experience and seeing the photos just makes my blood run cold. I, too, praise God greatly for sparing you and Nory Sweets and Jondi and Hazel and Bea and yung mga kasama nyong kamag-anak. I was reading the Psalm 107 (syempre, the Psalm of David) - "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress..." I could not imagine the intensity of your "distress" and trouble during those times. So my relief and thanks to God for the miracle that He wrought in your lives. It made me realize, too...Did I ever tell you how much I love you all? |
 | thank God for the protection upon your family. I'll uphold you all in my prayers for a speedy recovery - not just physical but emotional & physchological healing esp. for your daughter, and kids. The shock must be hard to bear...but be strong for them and look to God for all your needs. Your testimony has motivated me much today although I feel so mad at the drunk driver...but all in all, glad to know you're in the hands of our Almighty God. *hugs* |
| Dear Dave - I cried when I read Rhiza's email na naaksidente kayong mag-anak. Reading about the experience and seeing the photos just makes my blood run cold. I, too, praise God greatly for sparing you and Nory Sweets and Jondi and Hazel and Bea and yung mga kasama nyong kamag-anak. I was reading the Psalm 107 (syempre, the Psalm of David) - "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress..." I could not imagine the intensity of your "distress" and trouble during those times. So my relief and thanks to God for the miracle that He wrought in your lives. It made me realize, too...Did I ever tell you how much I love you all? we know po tita... we love you too. |
| how can you say God doesn't play favorites? eh peborit na peborit ka niya haha kidding. God's favor is more like it, eh? haha. that's God's favor overflowing!!! |
| Your testimony has motivated me much today although I feel so mad at the drunk driver...but all in all, glad to know you're in the hands of our Almighty God. glad about that vonne. He's drunk with alcohol, we're "drunk" with God's Presence. amen. |
| Praise God for all the answered prayers!. Ka-text ko pa non si Nory several minutes before you had the accident. God's ways are not really our ways but we could just rest on His words and His love, and His protection.
Thank you for all the answered prayers. Dave & Nory -- ang dami-daming nagmamahal sa inyo because you are truly God's servants! All the more we realize that Ate Vibay, daming nag-lo-love sa amin. Blessings lahat ng Lord. |
| thank God for airbags Dave, but God is really the greatest airbag protector of all..:) so agree! Mario. |
 | God's favor is indeed in your family, tito dave. Our God is indeed a God of miracles. |
| kuya dave... God is sovereign in everything and i admire the presence of mind you had for your family. i prayed as soon as sir boy sent messages to pray for you. be assured of more prayers of healing, recovery and finding the graciousness of God despite this. take care and i'm sure there is always a next time for hot air balloons... maybe that time you and your family will be riding on one hot air balloon seeing the vast glory and power of God... you are blessed! thanks ella. and it was good meeting up with you, kuya boy, kuya mel and ann. |
 | Hope you and all who were with you have recovered. Praise God that no one was fatally injured. Hope that the jeepney driver and companions will learn their lesson, be jailed for drunk driving and have a truth encounter with the Lord. Ingat! |
| Hi Dave,
I hope everything is fine now. Good people deserves great blessing. You are one lucky guy and we are lucky to have you continue to share with us your beautiful pictures. |
| Hi Dave,
I hope everything is fine now. Good people deserves great blessing. You are one lucky guy and we are lucky to have you continue to share with us your beautiful pictures. thanks maestro manny! |
 | | | hi how are you
| nearing our accident-victory anniversary. feb9. family will have to visit that balloon again :0 |
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