because she's an inspiration.

This blog post is dedicated to Tara Santelices- an agent of change.


Antonia Marina "Tara" Santelices, the jeepney robbery victim who was shot in the head almost a year ago, passed away on Monday.

"Tara passed away at 4 a.m. today due to cardiac arrest," her mother, Anne, said in a text message to GMA News’ Arnold Clavio.

Santelices was shot on her 23rd birthday last August 6 while she was on board a jeepney passing through Imelda Avenue in Cainta, Rizal.

After being in comatose for five months, she was taken out of the intensive care unit as doctors said she no longer needed a respirator to breathe.

She was subsequently brought home while private nurses attended to her.



Who is Tara Santilices?

A Political Science graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University, Santelices is an independent film director and a guitarist of music bands Saffron Speedway and Scarlet Tears - passions that she juggles with her work as a research head of a non-government organization.

Her friends described her as an active person with a heart for the environment and an artistic flair.

"She’s a very well-rounded person who is active in a lot of involvements," Tara's mother told GMANews.TV last year.

"She’s very artistic person. She is fond of reading books, she designs clothes and she performs with a band. At the same time, she is also an environmentalist," her friends added. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV (source)




Last saturday (Dec 19 '09) ABS-CBN's Maalaala Mo Kaya featured the life story of Tara Santelices.
She was a hero. She liked to helped others, even stray kittens. She stands up for what is right, and she has so many dreams ahead. She wanted to be a UN Ambassador someday. She wanted to make a big difference in the world. She's simply awesome!

Amazed by her perseverance. Amazed by her determination. Amazed by how she has helped other people. She's an inspiration to me, and I'm sure to a lot of people, too.


Justice for Tara

It's been over a year since the incident happened, and still justice is not served for Tara and her family. According to what I've heard, nobody wants to talk about the incident. Witnesses are still mum about what really happened, and no one can determined the suspect. I am praying that her family will commit justice in no time. I am appealing to anyone who knew what happened-please speak up, we need you, the Santelices family needs you. Please. Please. Please.