Filomena “Fely” Tatlonghari (L), a teacher who was shot by armed men while tightly holding onto a ballot box during an attempted ballot-snatching incident in the May 8, 1995 elections.

MANILA — On Monday, Jordan Tatlonghari will once again vote at Talaga Elementary School in Mabini, Batangas — where his mother was killed three decades ago.

Jordan is the youngest child of Filomena “Fely” Tatlonghari, a teacher who was shot by armed men while tightly holding onto a ballot box during an attempted ballot-snatching incident in the May 8, 1995 elections.

Fely, then 50 years old, was a guidance counselor and teacher assigned to act as a board of election inspector.

The vote counting had ended and they were about to deliver the ballot box to the municipal board of canvassers when armed suspects blocked them outside the school.

Fely held on to the ballot box, prompting the suspects to shoot her.

“Nasa bahay kami ng tatay, noong madaling araw ng May 9, bigla na lang kami ginising doon sa bahay na may nagbalita nga sa amin, yung masaklap na balita na nabaril pala yung nanay ko,” Jordan recalled.

Jordan was only 11 years old at the time. Now an architect, the pain of losing his mother remains fresh.

“Masakit yun kasi nga kapag bata ka lahat ng buhay mo iaasa mo sa nanay mo eh. Masakit talaga yun, halos hindi nakumpleto yung kabataan ko, wala ako nanay,” Jordan added.

Despite the pain made fresh by every election season, Jordan said he was proud of his mother’s heroism in giving her life to protect the sanctity of the vote.

“I took pride in my mom na nakilala siya dahil doon sa ginawa niya, yung pag-alala mo yung nanay mo nakilala dahil sa ginawa niya, malaking bagay yun” he said.

Faced with reports of alleged vote-buying and selling ahead of Monday’s polls, Jordan appealed to the public to value their votes and carefully think about who they will vote for.

“Alalahanin natin na may mga taong handang magbuwis ng buhay para sa boto na yan.Bigyan naman natin ng dangal yung boto natin  in such a way na baka sa paggawa natin ng ganun, siguro ultimately mare-realize ng mga pulitiko na ay iba na pala yung mga bumoboto ngayon, may prinsipyo na pala yung mga bomoboto ngayon,” Jordan said.

Thirty years after her death, Filomena’s case remains unsolved. 

One of the two suspects in the ballot snatching incident was released after a few years in detention. The other suspect remains at large and has yet to face justice.

A building at Talaga Elementary School has been named after her.

Jordan said he hoped there could be national recognition for his mother to raise awareness about the risks that teachers face during elections.

First time voter? Practical tips on how to vote on May 12