What Should’ve Been a Celebration Turns Fatal in Tanay, Rizal
TANAY – What should’ve been a joyful celebration ended in tragedy when a man drowned in Tanay, Rizal.
A fun-filled family outing took a devastating turn when a man drowned in the Daraitan River in Tanay, Rizal, on Sunday afternoon, April 6. The victim was identified as Eric Castañares, according to a report from ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol.
Castañares was with his relatives at the time, celebrating a loved one’s birthday with food, drinks, and a swim in the river. The gathering started off as a cheerful occasion. However, the mood shifted drastically after lunch when Castañares, who had allegedly been drinking, went into the river alone for a swim.
Around 3:00 PM, his family noticed that he was missing and began searching for him. His brother-in-law stated that they looked for more than an hour until a young boy eventually discovered his body and helped bring it to shore.
A niece of the victim mentioned that a noticeable bump was seen on his back, leading the family to believe that he may have slipped and sustained an injury before drowning. Authorities, however, have not yet determined the official cause of death.
The sudden incident came as a shock to the family, who never imagined that a simple day of celebration would end in such sorrow.
Tanay police reported that this is the first drowning incident in the Daraitan River for the year. They also recalled a similar case in 2024, urging the public once again to be mindful of safety when swimming, especially after consuming alcohol.
Castañares’ family now hopes that others will learn from their tragedy and remember the importance of being cautious in natural bodies of water. The local community has extended their sympathies, joining the family in grieving the unexpected loss.
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