A bittersweet homecoming for Fil-Am pushed into BART train in SF

This photo of Corazon Dandan was displayed during the viewing in Colma, Calif. CONTRIBUTED

SAN FRANCISCO – Corazon Dandan, 76, who was killed last month after she was pushed into the BART train in San Francisco, has come home.

Before her death, Dandan was planning to retire in the Philippines. As she wished, she is now back home. Her family, who brought back her remains to the homeland, has scheduled viewing on Aug. 9 and 10 at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque, followed by a memorial mass and internment on Aug. 11.

She has been honored by her family and friends, and hailed by community leaders as the face of hardworking immigrants who supported their families.

Last month, the Newall Chapel at the Cypress Lawn Funeral Home in Colma was packed with people whose lives were touched by Dandan, who died on July 2 after she was pushed into the path of a Millbrae-bound train.

The suspect – Trevor Belmont, 49, also known as Hoak Taing – has been charged with murder and elder abuse. Dandan, who fell onto the platform and sustained severe head injuries, was rushed to the hospital, where she later died.

Belmont’s arraignment has been scheduled for August 16 after several postponements as the suspect remains confined in a health facility.

“Life will never be the same,” her nephew, Dr. Alvin Dandan, told Inquirer.net USA, as he broke into tears.

Dr. Dandan said his Tita Cora helped raise him and put him through medical school.

Exemplary immigrant

Consul General Neil Ferrer has described Dandan, who lived in Daly City, as an exemplary immigrant who worked hard to support her family.

“She was someone, like many OFWs, who migrated to the US, who worked very hard but at the same time did not forget their families,” Ferrer said.

The consul general also cited her sense of community and generosity to her friends and neighbors even during the pandemic. “She had a big heart for others,” he said.

Dandan had opened her home in Daly City to relatives and friends who needed a place to stay as newly arrived immigrants.

Public transit safety

Both Ferrer and Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo honored Dandan for her role in spotlighting the critical need to ensure safety for workers who use public transit.

Dandan had taken the BART to get to work in downtown San Francisco for more than 30 years. She had worked for Westin Marriot San Francisco, PARC Hilton and Westin Marriot Union Square.

Dr. Dandan said BART management has not indicated any plan to further enhance safety at BART stations following the tragic death of his aunt.

He also told Inquirer.net USA that “other than initial investigation by BART Police, BART management has not reached out to the Dandan family.”

“No apologies, not even condolences from BART,” he said.

Dr. Dandan said the family has not been furnished a copy of results of the initial investigation. “My communication with them was limited to just acquiring all of her belongings,” he added.