Boy Jayson passes away as family asks for help

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina--I was saddened on receiving word last night that Albert "Boy" Jayson, a friend and a neighbor from my hometown of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao, Philippines, died of a heart attack.

I commiserate with his family consisting of his wife Esperanza Sabio Valdehuesa, his daughter Marie "Whong" Jayson Escalante, her husband Junmar Escalante and their son Noah for their sudden, untimely loss.

Boy with his wife Esperanza in the US

Boy as he was called by friends arrived in the US last Oct. 1 to fulfill his childhood wish to come to the US to visit his eldest daughter Whong and her family who had resided in the Charlotte, North Carolina area for sometime.

At 9:45 pm last Saturday Nov 17, while preparing for a trip next day to Washington DC to see the White House, he collapsed and never woke up. 

Boy was 64 and he left six children—five back in the Philippines and one in Charlotte. He was an only child and most of his relatives are in the Philippines.

As incumbent president of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC), I want to ask for help to help the family bring Boy's remains back home in the Philippines.

The family is targeting to raise US $12,000 to cover expenses. This amount is big but if we work together and raise the amount then we can help reduce the family's burden.

Boy's daughter Whong said her dad died happy and was in fact so proud that he finally reached the US. On behalf of the family and the FACC, I am asking for help from all Filipino-Americans and those who read this blog to contribute what they can to help raise funds for the family.

Boy was a good father, a good husband and a good friend. He had a ready smile to anyone and enjoyed life as a businessman in Tagoloan town but he always dreamed of visiting the US and he realized it.

Now let us help his family bring him back home to Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao, Philippines. Go click on the GoFundMe link provided here and give what you can to help them./Susan Palmes-Dennis

Boy with his daughter Whong