Pinoys in UAE mourn death of kite-surfer

Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) mourned the death of a kababayan who was based in Dubai but died in a kite-surfing incident while on vacation in the United States.   Condolences poured in for Dante Torres, including on his Facebook profile, according to a report of the news site Khaleej Times on Friday. Earlier reports said Torres, 28, died in Los Angeles after being pulled unconscious from the ocean off Topanga State.   Reports had stated the Los Angeles County coroner’s office pronounced him dead at Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center.   LA Weekly reported that Torres drowned after being tangled in a bed of kelp. Torres was employed at Orbit Communication (OSN), Dubai. The Khaleej Times report said Torres' friends knew him to be someone who enjoyed adventure sports. He allegedly participated in a bike ride from Tibet to Nepal last year.   One Facebook user, Vanni Derez wrote: “My heart is heavy. I was ready for your visit next week. It was time to hit the trails and I was looking forward to see your face on the ground or a tree. It’s what you loved. We will get to ride again, just like when we where kids.”    Another Facebook user, Naish Middle East, wrote: “RIP Dante Torres, may you rest in Peace. You were one of the nicest guys that anyone could hope to meet and will be sorely be missed on the beach by the kite surfing community. This is a sad day for us all.” - VVP, GMA News