May 1 was supposed to be a beautiful day. It was early morning when Jerry hit the road with the people he loved most—his wife, a caring doctor; their child; his sister-in-law; and a few close church friends. They were on their way to a children’s camp in the northern Philippines, ready to serve, connect, and make memories.
The trip was light, full of joy. They laughed. They prayed. They were simply happy.
But just a few hours into the trip, everything changed.
A tragic accident took the lives of eight people in that vehicle. Only Jerry made it out alive.
In one moment, he lost his family, his friends, and his world. The questions came like waves—loud, painful, and unrelenting. Why them? Why not him? Where was God in all of this?
The answers didn’t come easily. Sometimes they still don’t. But in the rawness of grief, through the silence, the tears, and the heartbreak, Jerry’s story is slowly being written—not by what he lost, but by how grace continues to carry him forward.
Coming Out of the Shatters
What shocked people even more than the tragedy itself was that Jerry survived. In fact, he not only survived but also walked away from the wreckage almost untouched. Witnesses said no one should have survived the crash. The vehicle was crushed. Twisted metal. Broken glass. It looked like the kind of scene you only see in headlines—tragic, final, hopeless.
And yet, there was Jerry.
They rushed him to the hospital for tests, scans, and every possible diagnostic procedure. Doctors couldn’t believe it. There were no broken bones. There was no evidence of internal bleeding. There was no head trauma. He only sustained a few bruises and a handful of stitches. Physically, he was okay. But the weight he carried? That was invisible and much heavier.
His survival felt less like chance and more like a miracle. There’s no other way to explain it. Jerry lived—but he didn’t come out of it the same. His body was whole, but his heart was shattered. Still, even in that unimaginable pain, his life began to speak of something deeper—a greater purpose.
“Pagdating ko po dito [Antipolo Seventh-Day Adventist Church]. Pagbaba ko po ng sasakyan. Pumikit muna ako ulit… Pagmulat ko, nakita ko yung aming simbahan. Maliwanag, may mga tao. Paglakad ko, pagpasok ko, nakita ko talaga yung magina ko, yung asawa ko, yung anak ko, yung mga kaibigan ko, wala na siła,” shared Jerry. (“When I arrived here at [Antipolo Seventh-day Adventist Church], I got out of the vehicle. I closed my eyes for a moment… When I opened them, I saw our church. It was bright; there were many people. As I walked in, I looked around—and that’s when it hit me. My wife, my child, my friends… they were all gone.”)
Lifting the Burdens to Christ
Day after day, people from across the country came to offer their condolences and surround the grieving families with love and support. The outpouring of compassion was overwhelming—friends, church members, and strangers alike stood in solidarity with those left behind. But no amount of comfort could soften the quiet truth waiting for Jerry: at the end of it all, he would return to a home that was now heartbreakingly empty.
Though the accident wasn’t his fault, Jerry bore the crushing weight of loss. He was the driver, the only one who made it out alive—and that reality haunted him. He carried with him a silent burden: the feeling of being responsible for lives that were taken in a moment he couldn’t control.
It wasn’t until Jerry met the husband and father of those who also lost their families in the accident that he began to feel a deep sense of peace. Words fell short in that moment—but standing together, shoulder to shoulder, something powerful happened. In quiet strength, they faced the unimaginable with faith and surrender. All three of them had lost their wives and children in an instant, yet instead of being crushed by grief alone, they chose to carry the pain together—and lift it to Christ.
Jerry’s life changed forever when the tragedy claimed the lives of his immediate family members. The overwhelming grief that followed was real but unimaginable, leaving him heartbroken and filled with questions. Grieving such a sudden and profound loss is a natural and necessary response. Even Jesus, in His humanity, wept at the death of His friend Lazarus (John 11:35), showing that expressing sorrow is not a sign of weakness but a vital part of the healing journey. In his darkest moments, Jerry found solace in the comforting words of Scripture: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Clinging to this promise, he allowed himself to grieve, trusting that God was near, holding his broken heart with compassion and love.
Peace Over Bitterness
In an interview with a local television network, Jerry was asked how he felt toward the driver responsible for the accident that took his family. “…sa buong loob ko po, sa puso ko, sa isip ko ay wala po akong sama ng loob, galit, o kahit kaunting hinanakit sa kanya,” he said. (“With all my heart, mind, and soul, I hold no resentment, no anger—not even a hint of bitterness toward him.”)
Jerry had every reason to be angry. But instead, he chose the path of peace and forgiveness. While the laws of the land must take their course and legal processes must be respected, Jerry remained firm in his belief that healing does not come from hatred. He expressed hope that the bus company would treat this tragedy not just as a case to settle, but as a turning point—a chance to improve, to grow, and to protect lives moving forward.
In the aftermath of the accident, Jerry faced a difficult choice—whether to hold on to bitterness toward the person responsible or to forgive. The pain was intense, but Jerry clung to Jesus, who called for forgiveness even when it seemed impossible. Jerry knew that holding on to anger would only deepen his sorrow, so he chose to forgive, not as a sign of weakness but as a reflection of God’s grace in his life. This decision did not come easily or quickly; it was a journey marked by prayer and surrender. By forgiving, Jerry found a sense of peace that allowed him to move forward, trusting that God would handle justice in His time. In choosing forgiveness, Jerry freed himself from the burden of resentment, allowing God’s healing to take root.
The Hope of Resurrection and Eternal Reunion
Despite the deep sorrow that followed the accident, Jerry remained anchored in his faith, holding firmly to the promise of the resurrection. He knew that death is not the end but a temporary sleep for those who have placed their hope in Christ. This belief gave Jerry comfort as he looked forward to the day when Jesus would soon return, and he would be reunited with his beloved family. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven... and the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This hope sustained Jerry, giving him the courage to continue living with purpose and faith. He looked forward to that glorious day when God would wipe away every tear and restore what was lost (Revelation 21:4). Until then, Jerry lived with hope, knowing that his story was not over and that one day, his family would be restored to him in the great resurrection morning.
Jerry’s life is a powerful reminder that forgiveness is a choice—one made possible only through complete surrender to God. The promise of eternal life is reflected in the way he lives today: transformed, sustained, and carried by the power of a Savior who heals both body and soul. His testimony has become a breath of fresh air to many, a living witness that even in the midst of deep pain and unimaginable loss, there is a peace that surpasses all understanding—the kind only Jesus can give.