Magpakailanman: Nicky Nacino: Brave SAF commando, devoted family man

Nicky Nacino was a brave soul with a gentle heart, a soldier who was always ready to serve his country.

This was how his widow, Roselle, described him during an interview with GMA News Online. Although it was difficult for Roselle to talk about Nicky, she pulled herself together to tell the story of her greatest love.

Nicky and Roselle's relationship was grounded in faith, as they were both members of the Iglesia ni Cristo. They met through friends inn the church that they had in common, but she never really took the matchmaking seriously.

"Hindi ako namomoblema sa love life ko eh. Pinagpi-pray ko lang. Kung hindi talaga kaloob na magkaroon ako ng asawa, kung destiny ko maging single, okay lang," she said.

The two eventually exchanged numbers through the help of fellow churchgoers. Nicky texted her first. But Roselle ignored him.

"Una, hindi ko pinapansin kasi ayoko ng police. Hindi ko iniisip na delikado ang trabaho nila. Iniisip ko na babaero," she explained.  

But Nicky still pursued Roselle. He texted her day and night until she finally acknowledged his tenacity and decided to talk to him. Roselle said that little by little she found out that Nicky was the total opposite of what she perceived him to be. She learned that he was different.

When Nicky had the chance to visit Roselle at her home in Laguna, it was then that the police officer asked her if he could court her.

"Noong nakita ko siya, sabi ko parang gwapo. Sinasabi ko na wala akong tiwala sa kanya. Pero sabi niya, 'Hindi, papatunayan ko sa'yo na may isang PNP SAF na may isang salita.' Pinatunayan naman niya sa akin," she said.

In May 2012, Nicky and Roselle officially became a couple. Roselle said that Nicky only became sweeter to her.

"Sweet siya. Kahit nasa destino 'yan, magugulat ka na lang, magpapadala 'yan ng bulaklak sa opisina. Papa-deliver niya every month-sary namin," Mrs. Nacino recalled.

Since he was also assigned in Mindanao, the SAF commando also sent love letters to Roselle, who was in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Nicky also used to surprise Roselle every now and then. He wouldn't tell his girlfriend that he was already in town, and then fetch her from her workplace so he could take her home. Roselle recalled that Nicky would never take her home late.

But these little acts of kindness were not limited to those romantic gestures.

Through tears, Roselle recalled, "Siya magluluto sa bahay. Magpi-presenta 'yan. Magluluto siya ng specialty niya ['pag] may party."

Nathan Iñigo

A few months after they became a couple, Nicky proposed to Roselle. It was New Year's Eve. A year after, they finally got hitched. And another year after, Roselle gave birth to their son, Nathan Iñigo. Roselle said it was Nicky who named their child.

Although her husband was not there when she gave birth, Roselle said he made sure he spent most of his waking days with their son. He flew back home a few days before Christmas and spent almost a month taking care of Nathan, showering him with love.

"'Yung pagdating niya, hinalikan niya agad ang anak ko. Niyakap niya agad... Sa buong panahon ng pag-stay niya sa amin, talagang hands-on siya. Siya nagpapaligo sa anak ko," Roselle said.

Nicky would be the one to feed Nathan at night, make sure he had no rashes, and more.

He needed to go back to Mindanao for another mission—the Oplan Exodus in Mamasapano on the morning of January 25. The SAF commando was part of the assault team.

Nicky died on the battlefiield, aalong with 43 of his comrades.

A night before he left, Nicky was emotional, Roselle said.

"Nakita ko siya teary-eyed. Sabi niya, 'Ang hirap palang umalis 'pag may anak ka na.' Tapos sabi ko sa kanya, 'Babe, 'pag nasa operation ka, isipin mo kami ni Nathan. Isipin mo kami ng anak mo. Hindi ko kaya 'pag may nangyari sa 'yo.'"

"Sabi niya, 'Hindi, kaya mo. Kaya mong buhayin 'yan.' Tapos umiyak ako, 'Hindi ko kaya. Kawawa naman itong anak mo 'pag nawala ka.' Sabi niya, 'Babe, 'pag namatay ako, hindi magiging kawawa 'yan. Tandaan mo,'" she said. — BM, GMA News

Watch Rocco Nacino portray his cousin Nicky Nacino with Kris Bernal as Roselle in the upcoming episode of Magpakailanman on GMA-7 on Saturday, April 18.