Paolo Benjamin Guico of the OPM band Ben&Ben paid tribute to a Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) student who died in the fire.
Guico performed in the wake of Melanie Trinidad, a graduating student from PUP who died in a fire after she rushed inside the burning house to retrieve a laptop she used for studying.
"Nakausap namin yung mga malapit kay Mels, at hanggang sa huli, ang pinaglaban nya pa rin ay yung kapakanan ng mga mahal nya sa buhay, at yun pag-aaral at kinabukasan nya (We talked to those close to Mels, and until the end, she still fought for the welfare of his loved ones, her education, and her future). Thank you for your bravery and compassion, Melanie. You'll live on forever through the people whose lives you touched," Ben&Ben wrote.
"Liwanag si Melanie. Kaya sa huling pagkakataon, pumunta kami sa service nya para makiramay at maghandog ng iilang mga awit (Melanie was light. So for the last time, we went to her wake to offer sympathy and play a few songs for her). Let's all pray for the repose of her soul."
Melanie's friend, Elise Danielle Delos Reyes, also shared how they tried to reach out to the band, knowing that Melanie was a big fan of Ben&Ben.
"Bilang kaibigan mo, sobrang saya ng puso ko na natupad ko yung isa sa mga pangarap mo kahit sa huling pagkakataon (As your friend, my heart is so happy that I fulfilled one of your dreams even for the last time)," Delos Reyes wrote.
"This means a lot to us, lalong-lalo na kay Melanie! Kung alam nyo lang po talaga kung gaano nya kamahal. (This means a lot to us, especially to Melanie! If you only knew how much she loves )," she added.