A FORMER Bahrain resident was among the almost 300 people killed in the Ketsana Typhoon, which ripped through the heart of the Philippines capital Manila, it emerged yesterday.
Juan Paolo Gozum, 25, died in Marikina City in Metro Manila during the peak of the storm on September 26, according to his employer, website development company Web Dot Com.
Mr Gozum, who worked as a website developer for the firm, had attended Bahrain's Sacred Heart School in the 1990s before returning to his native Philippines.
Speaking to the GDN, former schoolmates of Mr Gozum said he was fun-loving and energetic.
"He was always fun to be around," said a former peer, who didn't want to be named. "He was energetic and always lively and in the middle of everything."
The company website described Mr Gozum as a dedicated employee and part of the 'Web Dot Com family'.
"He was a dear friend and brother to all of us. He will be missed," it said.
According to information reportedly given to the company by his family, Mr Gozum was most likely trapped inside his house when the flood started rising.
"The currents brought by the flood could have made it impossible for him to escape and go to higher grounds. His body was found under the stairs the next day," said the company.
Web Dot Com has appealed for donations to its specifically established relief fund.
It said 50 per cent of whatever is collected will be donated directly to Mr Gozum's family, while the other half will be used to procure food, water, clothes and medicine for the rest of its staff and other victims of the typhoon.
Manila experienced its worst flooding in 40 years from the Ketsana storm.
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