Ted Failon: I owe my success to Trina

MANILA, Philippines – "Wala pong Ted Failon ngayon kung wala si Trina [There would not have been a Ted Failon, had there been no Trina]." This was the veteran ABS-CBN news anchor’s pronouncement about his late wife Trinidad Etong during a eulogy at the latter’s funeral at the Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City. Trinidad, who died following a shooting incident at the couple's home in Tierra Pura Homes in Quezon City last April 15, was to be cremated after the scheduled Mass. Her ashes are to be brought back to their home. "Galing po kami sa baba. Galing po kami sa wala…Hindi ko po maaabot [ang] lahat ng ito kung wala ang pag-uunawa at pagmamahal ni Trina [We worked our way from the bottom. We once had nothing. I would not have succeeded without the love and care of Trina]," Failon said. Failon added that Trinidad did not only have a great impact on his life, but also was pivotal in raising their eldest daughter Kaye into becoming an accomplished young woman. "Lumaki si Kaye sa pag-aaruga ng kanyang ina. Hindi ko po magagawa lahat ng ito kung wala si Trina dahil siya ang nag-alaga sa aking anak habang ako ay nagahahanap-buhay," an emotional Failon said in his eulogy, a portion of which was aired over radio dzBB. [Kaye grew up under the care of my wife. I would not have have done everything without Trina because she was the one looking after my kids whenever I went to work.] While Failon took pride in the upbringing of his daughter Kaye, the broadcaster also expressed worries for the future of his other daughter, 12-year-old Karishma. "Ang tanong ko po ay mapalaki ko kaya si Karishma tulad ng pagpapalaki niya [Trina] kay Kaye [I am left wondering if I would also be able to raise Karishma the way my wife raised Kaye]," he said. Also present in the Mass officiated by Father Jerry Orbos were Vice President Noli de Castro, Red Cross' Rosa Rosal, actor Roderick Paulate, as well Trinidad’s siblings including Pamela and Modesto. Bury the hatchet Failon also took the opportunity to make amends with Trinidad’s family, some of whom had been opposed to the couple's relationship. "Ngayon pong panahon na ito pwede po bang maayos na po natin ito… Ang gusto ko sabihin, kung maaari [bang] maayos na ang gusot sa ating pamilya," Failon said. "Alam kong simula’t sapul mayroon diyang hindi pa rin tanggap na iyong nilait-lait niyo dati ay eto po katuwang si Trina na tumutulong pa ho sa inyo," he added. [I hope we settle things and iron out kinks. I know some of you still can’t accept my relationship with Trina despite the fact that we had been helping you out since.] At present, authorities have yet to officially declare whether last week's shooting incident was a case of suicide or foul play. Two forensic experts tapped by Failon had earlier said that the incident was most likely a case of suicide. The National Bureau of Investigation had been tapped to take over the investigation from the Quezon City Police District. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV