Two Filipinos drown in Canada fishing accident; families need help

Alberto Calago (left) and Gibrone Cano drowned while fishing in Fraser Lake, Prince George, B.C. GOFUNDME

Two Filipino immigrants drowned while fishing at Fraser Lake in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, on Monday, Sept. 5 following a canoe accident.

Alberto Calago and Gibrone Cano, originally from the Philippines, were fishing with three friends when their canoe capsized due to sudden and strong winds.

An extensive search for their bodies by friends and a rescue aircraft ensued but was fruitless. However, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police underwater team recovered their bodies on Sept. 10, the Prince George Citizen reported.

Calago is survived by his wife, Charisma, and a young son who is still in the Philippines. Cano arrived in Canada in September last year. He is survived by his wife, April, who is pregnant with their first child.

A Gofundme page for the Calago and Cano families initiated Sept. 9 by Brenden Elias, of home renovation and landscaping firm Precision Home & Yard, described Calago and Cano as skilled, hardworking, well-liked and valued employees. He says Cano eventually left for a job in his qualified field with landscape architecture group Ecora.

Elias states that Charisma Calago and April Cano are still full-time students of Human Resources and Social Work, respectively, and need assistance in their sudden loss.

As of publication, the GoFundMe has already raised over $24,280 of its $30,000 goal and those who wish to donate can do so online.