The business and lifestyle communities continue to mourn the death of Victoria Court founder and owner Archimedes “Archie” Rosario King as his helicopter crashed in Cuenca, Batangas on Sunday.
Also killed in the fatal crash was the helicopter’s pilot, Capt. Felicisimo Taborlupa Jr. Among those injured were King’s wife, Angeles, designers Tina Maristela-Ocampo and husband, Ricco Ocampo; Christopher and Patricia Chilip and columnist Anton San Diego.
Ian King honored his father who is known in the industry as the “Motel King” by posting a picture on the photo sharing app Instagram where he wrote, “My father, my advisor, my supporter and my Hero. I feel broken and lost without you. I’m glad our relationship was at its best. Now I’ll forever miss your love. I love you Dad. May you rest in peace. I wish we had one more last ride together.”
Ian’s wife, model and host Joey Mead-King also posted a family photo in Instagram that simply read: “Dad I love you.”
No flight plan
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Monday said they have no record of the downed helicopter’s flight plan for its trip back to Manila from Puerto Galera.
“If they had submitted a flight plan, CAAP would have advised the pilot to abort the flight,” CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said.
CAAP on Sunday issued an advisory for all small aircraft to be grounded because of bad weather. The advisory was issued at 10 a.m., at the time the Augusta 109E helicopter with registry RP-C2726 took off from Puerto Galera in Mindoro.
The aircraft was on its way to Manila when it crashed near Mount Maculot in Batangas.
King was reportedly pinned down in the aircraft’s wreckage and died while undergoing treatment in a hospital.
Champion of the poor
Gawad Kalinga (GK) founder Tony Meloto, who has always had King’s support in his foundation’s charitable projects, also offered his sympathies on his Twitter account and wrote, “Goodbye Archie King, dear friend, champion of the poor who taught the weak to fly. GK deeply mourns our silent hero to the powerless.”
Senators Joseph Victor Ejercito and Jose Edgardo Angara also took to Twitter to condole with the Kings and laud recovery efforts at the crash site.
Ejercito said, “Feel sad with the demise of Archie King, who is such a nice person. We go trailing in the mountains of Sierra Madre. You will be missed.”
Angara wrote, “RIP Archie king n pilot. Thanks to the Red Cross n some very good ppol in batangas for the swift help for the survivors of heli crash,” he said.
Haribon Foundation chairman John Lesaca texted his sympathies to The Manila Times: “I am deeply saddened. Archie and Ling Ling are dear friends. Always gentle and gracious hosts, co-health advocates. We’d spend quality time in their Caliraya resthouse, talking about life, our children, friendships and the environment. My wife and I pray for Ling Ling, the children, Wyden, the King family. Go with God, Archie.”
Both Lesaca and King are members of the Board of Trustees of Haribon Foundation, along with The Manila Times president and executive editor Dante Ang 2nd.
Meanwhile, prayers and wishes of swift recovery continue to pour for King’s companions.
Actress Ruffa Gutierrez tweeted, “Let’s pray for the full recovery and healing of the survivors. My dearest friends Tina & Ricco Ocampo, my love @AntonSD [San Diego] and others.”
In another tweet she said, “Devastated. Sad. Was crying then realized once again how short life is. My deepest condolences to the King family.”
“Sending you well wishes for your quick recovery and good health @AntonSD,” tweeted Michelle Garica, marketing communications manager of Marriott Manila Hotel.
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