Liv Campo on Captain Bahinting

BAHINTING is a new name that made mark to Cebuanos and Talisaynons.  Now I have more reasons to be proud as a Talisaynon.  I sent a private message to a good friend Liv Campo, of The Freeman, and discussed with her few things about Captain Bahinting:

How did you know him?

I knew him through a friend, Rhia de Pablo, our former Business writer. Rhia was invited to cover Aviator's new tour package which is the Cebu-Chocolate Hills and back trip. We interviewed him, he said the tour, which is about an hour as you will be in one of his planes, gives you a better view of the famous Choc Hills. And he was right, he personally flew us on his four-seater Cessna, and from above you could see all of Choc Hills, a far cry from an obstructed view when you're on the ground. He was our pilot and tour guide at the same time.

A much reserved person

He was not much of a talker, he did not even laugh that much for the entire time that we were at his office, to the tour and back. But one thing i noticed about him was his being down-to-earth. You really wont believe that he owned a fleet of planes judging from how he spoke. With his kind personality, you would easily feel comfortable toward him. I think he was that to anyone.

Unbelievable truth

Memorable? I think when he personally piloted the plane to get us to Bohol. He could have sent one of his pilots, but because we were his visitors, he did not miss a chance to be accommodating. And while we were above, of course it's normal to be afraid, especially that the plane was too small (it was my frst time to be in that tiny plane), but i always told myself that i was with one of the best pilots in the country, so why be afraid, right? And i was right as we made back to Mactan in one piece. It buffles me until nowwhy he crashed. Seriously.

Heroic act

I want to remember him as someone who was a great man but had he been alive he would not want to be called such. I think he was humble too. But most importantly, i want the whole nation to remember him as someone who tried to save a cabinet member until his last breath. Otherwise, he would still be alive now, as he being a pilot obviously knew they were about to crash, but he stayed in hopes to save his passenger.

I agree with my friend Liv, what he showed to people are just as what he wants us to perceive him to be. A good man indeed!