The tragic loss of 29-year-old Dearick Keo Faustino has left his family, friends, and colleagues devastated after a freak accident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 took his life just moments before a business trip to Dubai.
Dearick, a senior supervisor at a prominent publishing company, was preparing to board a flight when he was fatally struck by an SUV in a sudden and shocking incident that also claimed the life of another individual.
The accident occurred around 8 a.m., as Dearick arrived at the airport along with two colleagues for their 12 p.m. flight. The group was scheduled to attend a series of meetings in Dubai, part of a six-day business trip meant to foster professional growth and opportunity.
According to his uncle, Ferdinand Nicolas, Dearick had just stepped away to get a luggage trolley while his companions unloaded their bags. It was during this brief moment that the SUV unexpectedly plowed into the unloading bay, striking Faustino and others in the area.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the impact of the crash proved fatal for Dearick. His remains have since been returned to his hometown of Hagonoy, Bulacan, where his family now prepares for the unimaginable task of saying goodbye to a beloved son, nephew, and friend.
Dearick Faustino was not just a dedicated professional; he was a young man filled with ambition and a deep sense of responsibility for his loved ones. His uncle described him as someone who carried big dreams for his family’s future.
“Mahirap kasi marami siyang pangarap para sa kaniyang pamilya,” Nicolas said in an emotional interview. Dearick was known to be hardworking, humble, and driven by a deep desire to improve life for those around him.
Friends and coworkers have begun to share their grief online, remembering Dearick as a dependable and compassionate colleague, someone who always lent a helping hand and brought positivity into the workplace. His colleagues recall his leadership and ability to bring people together, noting that his professionalism and sincerity were hallmarks of his character.
What adds to the heartbreak is the nearness of what would have been a milestone birthday—Dearick was set to celebrate his 30th on May 29. Instead of planning a celebration, his loved ones now face a tragic and untimely farewell.
The incident has raised renewed concerns over safety protocols in high-traffic areas like airport terminals. While authorities continue to investigate how and why the SUV was able to enter a restricted pedestrian zone, the victims’ families are left searching for answers and justice. Calls for increased security and more stringent traffic controls at NAIA have intensified in the wake of the tragedy.
As the community of Hagonoy and the wider professional network that Dearick was a part of come to terms with this sudden loss, there is a unified sense of mourning and a determination to honor his legacy.
Plans for a memorial service are underway, with his family welcoming those who wish to pay their respects and celebrate the life of a man who, though taken too soon, left a lasting impact.
Dearick Keo Faustino will be remembered not just for the tragedy of his passing, but for the promise he carried and the love he shared. He was a son, a mentor, a colleague, and a friend—one whose dreams and determination inspired all who knew him.
