The quiet morning in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Mulanay, Quezon turned tragic when an out-of-control van rammed into a family’s tricycle, leaving five people dead—including two young children—and one survivor. The horrific crash, which occurred around 8:30 a.m., still haunts the community, as the broken tricycle and shattered lives lie in stark contrast to the serenity of the rural roadway.

Witnesses describe a van that sped recklessly while overtaking another vehicle before veering out of control and hitting the tricycle head-on. In an instant, what should have been another routine ride along the national highway became a scene of chaos, destruction, and mourning. The victims were reported to be siblings Manny Reymundo (33), Benny Jay Reymundo, and young children Crisjane (4), Crisjay (1), and Cristy Bercero. All five were ejected upon impact and declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The sole survivor was the tricycle driver himself, who was rushed to a nearby facility with grave injuries, his life hanging in the balance. As emergency teams arrived, they were met with a heart-wrenching scene: the families crying beside pieces of their destroyed vehicle, passersby offering stunned silence, and rescue personnel focusing on tending to injuries amid a flurry of grief.

Initial police reports indicated that the van driver—identified as Arnel Auriada Tesico, 44—attempted to overtake another vehicle and lost control of the wheel, resulting in the collision. Tesico has since been taken into custody and faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property. Interviews with local police echoed the driver’s possible fault, though full investigations, including toxicology tests and vehicle inspections, were ongoing.

A central question emerging in the aftermath: why was the tricycle carrying so many passengers, including infants and toddlers? Local regulations clearly limit tricycles to a certain number of occupants, yet families often rely on these vehicles, even when overcrowded. Some community members argue this tragedy shows systemic failures in enforcing traffic laws, while others point to the stark reality: rural families need affordable conveyance, and these regulations are frequently ignored out of necessity.

Elderly residents of Barangay Sta. Rosa recall seeing tricycles often overloaded during busy mornings, ferrying entire families to market, school, or church—sometimes with no regard for safety. Signs warning of speed limits and overtaking bans existed, but enforcement was lax, and local authorities struggled to monitor a winding provincial highway that’s lined with trees, homes, and informal paths.

The wrecked tricycle, its metal frame ripped apart and scattered, became a visual testament to the crash’s brutality. Photos taken shortly after the accident—shared later by local news outlets—show a mangled vehicle split in two, with personal items strewn across the pavement. These images prompted an outpouring of grief online, as Filipinos nationwide reacted with sorrow and anger.

In one viral post, a neighbor mourning the loss questioned why a van would speed on a road known for pedestrian traffic and family rides. The post read, “They’re just going to church, or maybe the market. Why wasn’t there proper signage, road barriers, or traffic enforcers? A whole family is gone because we failed to protect them.” Such comments reveal a growing frustration: this accident was not merely a random tragedy—it reflected deeper cracks in infrastructure and enforcement.

Local officials, including the municipal mayor and police chief, promised swift action. They announced plans to reinforce traffic checkpoints, install clearer signage, and implement speed monitoring along the highway. Discussions about constructing protective barriers and converting narrow stretches into safer segments began. Still, many residents voice concerns that promises may be hollow—political declarations made in the heat of tragedy tend to fade as media attention wanes.

Beyond road safety, the emotional toll of the accident is immense. The surviving tricycle driver, deeply traumatized, lies in a hospital bed with multiple fractures. His family, now mourning spouses and children, will soon face financial and emotional hardship. Additionally, the loss of the two little ones—Crisjane and Crisjay—hit the community’s heart: their playful giggles silenced, their school seats left empty. A wake was held outside the family home, with candlelight flickering beneath a banner: “Justice for the Reymundos.”

Psychologists and social workers have started visiting town centers and schools, offering grief counseling to classmates who knew the children. For many, the tragedy feels too close—neighbors still recovering from typhoons and then this cruel blow of sudden loss. Parents are now more fearful of sending children off on tricycle rides, and some have opted to walk longer distances to avoid roads altogether.

As legal proceedings begin, prosecutors face evidence of gross negligence by the driver and concerns about overloading. Should charges be filed and convictions secured, the case will set a precedent for accountability in rural road accidents. However, local advocacy groups argue that justice must go further—support is needed not just for prosecution, but for strengthened infrastructure, better enforcement, and social assistance for affected families.

In recent days, NGOs have stepped in to donate funds for hospital bills, funeral costs, and long-term support. Religious groups are conducting special prayers for the Reymundo family. Meanwhile, a petition calling for better road management and safer public transport in Quezon province gained thousands of signatures online in under 48 hours. The collective grief has morphed into a growing demand for change.

This tragic crash forced the nation to confront uncomfortable truths: unchecked speeding, insufficient monitoring of public vehicles, and long-standing gaps between legislation and local implementation. While blame is being assigned, the deeper crisis lies in neglect—of rural infrastructure, regulatory oversight, and community welfare.

The shattered tricycle may be cleared from the highway, but the collision’s impact will echo for years. Barangay Sta. Rosa mourns, families grieve, and officials prepare to act. Yet, for real change to take hold, memory must endure beyond the headlines. Only sustained attention—through stricter enforcement, improved roads, and real support systems—can ensure no other family suffers the same fate on a stretch of highway that has already taken too much.

Five lives were lost that morning. A sixth clings to survival. A community grapples with shock, anger, and sorrow. And across the province—from Quezon City offices to rural barangay halls—people wonder if this tragedy will be the catalyst for meaningful reform, or another forgotten disaster. Only time—and accountability—will tell.