Filipino London olympic torch bearer laid to rest

MLANG, North
Cotabato–Joven Mallo, one of the two Filipino hotel workers who
served astorch-bearers ofthe 2012 London Olympics, wasfinally
laid to his final resting place at this town public cemetery on Sunday morning.

Mallo, 35 died on Nov. 6 after almost one year of fightingliver cancer,
Javi Centina, his sister, said.

Weeping relatives,
friends and neighbors, clad in white shirts, attended the funeral walked behind
the funeral car that carried Mallo's remainsfrom Barangay Buayan to the
public cemetery to send the Olympian torch bearer to his final destination.

Mallo’s classmates
and school batches also attended the funeral.

We lost not only a
good son to his parents but also the pride of Mlang,” Vice Mayor Russel Abonado
said.

Abonado on Monday
filed a resolution giving commendation to Joven as a son of Mlang. This
is to recognize the honor he brought to his town.

Besidebeing a
World Olympictorch bearer, Mallo was also recognized from bravery
aftersaving an old man duringof Typhoon Ondoy.

Joven’s good deed
is worth emulating. This posthumouscommendation will serves as
inspiration and commemoration to what this guy has done while he was
stillalive,” Abonado said.

Centina, during the
necrology services, thanked all those who offered prayers for his brother.

We cannot mention
you one-by-one but you know who you are. From the bottom of our hearts thank
you all,” the teary eyedCentinasaid.

Mallo left Mlang to
work in Manila in 2002.

In 2012, he was
picked as one of the 8,000 people for the Olympic Torch Relay for being a role
model in the community.

Before his
departure for London in 2012, Mallo said he was very proud to be chosen even if
he was only to run 300 meters for the Olympic Torch Relay.

I always boast
about being a resident of Mlang,” he then said.