The Journey Home

Tito Monet (Dumlao) perished in a plane crash some eight years ago while flying on a UN mission in war torn Angola. I never really knew the importance of his job and the eventual price he had to pay for helping complete strangers. All I knew then was that he was a pilot. I didn't realize he was actually a modern day hero.

Tito Monet was an employee of Transafrik, a South African aircraft leasing company contracted by the UN World Food Program to deliver food supplies to some 100,000 refugees who fled to Huambo, Angola ’s second largest city located 500 kilometers from the capital, Luanda, to escape the fighting between government and rebel forces. His aircraft was shot down on January 2, 1999 but his death was only confirmed and verified this year through DNA testing.

His remains were brought to Manila by Dr. Christen Halle, an official of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in New York. Dr. Halle is in charge of the Angola Recovery Project that was established by the DPKO to retrieve, identify and repatriate the remains of the 23 passengers and crew of the two UN aircrafts that were shot down at the height of the Angolan civil war. Tito Monet was the pilot of one of those UN aricrafts.

The identification of his remains and its turnover will bring to a close a very painful event in the lives of the Dumlaos. But they are thankful that they can finally close this chapter in their lives. It gives them the opportunity to move forward and continue the legacy of their Father.

His story has inspired me and made me more aware of the oppression in Africa. As people close to me will attest to, I have had this obsession with Africa since watching Hotel Rwanda, Sometimes in April and Blood Diamond. But instead of just watching movies and searching the internet, Tito Monet actually got involved and made a difference. I wonder how many other people can claim the same.

His remains lie in state at the Capilla de San Peregrino, inside the PATTS College Campus, Lombos Avenue, San Isidro, Paranaque City. Internment will be tomorrow, 9am at the Manila Memorial.

Rest in peace, Tito Monet.