Melody Gersbach
Encyclopedia
Melody Adelaide Manuel Gersbach (November 18, 1985 – August 21, 2010) was best known as a beauty pageant contestant from the Philippines.
, but was raised in Angeles City, Pampanga. Her father is of German nationality (Wolfgang Gersbach) and her mother is a Filipina (Marina Manuel). She is the second of three siblings. She was a management graduate of the University of Asia and the Pacific and had been managing a family business in Bicol.
pageant on November 2009 in Macau, China, where she placed among the top 15 semifinalists. Gersbach was also one of the pageant coaches along with Stella Marquez-Araneta who help choose the wardrobe for Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2010, Venus Raj. Shortly before her death, Gersbach said she told Raj "to relax and enjoy the Miss Universe pageant."
she was traveling in collided head on with a passenger bus in Barangay Pawili in Bula
. Police said, "the bus was trying to avoid a tricycle when it collided with a Toyota Innova". Gersbach, her makeup artist Alden Orense, and her driver, Santos Ramos Jr., were all killed in the accident. The only passenger to survive was Ronald Lita, a friend of Gersbach's. Gersbach was supposed to attend Ms. Bicolandia Executive Committee meeting for Ms. Bicolandia 2010 at the Avenue Hotel in Naga City
. Several of the passengers of the bus were also reported injured. Stella Marquez-Araneta, Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) chairperson, stated: "Our sincerest condolences and prayers go out to her family and friends. Her death, unfortunate and untimely, has left everyone at Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. deeply saddened. Her passing will not only leave a void in our lives, but also in the hearts of everyone who knew her. Melody’s memory will always remain deep within our hearts."
Her remains were brought to the Heritage Park in Taguig City
, Metro Manila
, for a week. She was buried in Angeles City, Pampanga where she grew up. Her friends and relatives, including Miss Universe fourth runner-up Venus Raj, attended a funeral mass at 9 am. Wilson Fontillas, the bus driver who lost control of the passenger bus is under the custody of the Bula Police pending the filing of the case against him.
Personal life
Gersbach was born in Daraga, AlbayDaraga, Albay
Daraga is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines.According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 110,625 people in 20,082 households.-History:February 1, 1814 was Mayon's deadliest eruption....
, but was raised in Angeles City, Pampanga. Her father is of German nationality (Wolfgang Gersbach) and her mother is a Filipina (Marina Manuel). She is the second of three siblings. She was a management graduate of the University of Asia and the Pacific and had been managing a family business in Bicol.
Pageantry
Gersbach, then aged 23, was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2009 on March 7, 2009. She was the second Bicolana beauty to hold a Binibining Pilipinas Interional title, the other one being the fellow Albayanon Georgina Anne de la Paz Sandico in 1999. Gersbach represented the Philippines in the 49th Miss International 2009Miss International 2009
Miss International 2009, the 49th Miss International pageant, was held at the Sichuan International Tennis Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China on November 28, 2009. The pageant was originally scheduled to be held at The Venetian Macao in Macau on November 7, 2009, but the host committee backed out. 66...
pageant on November 2009 in Macau, China, where she placed among the top 15 semifinalists. Gersbach was also one of the pageant coaches along with Stella Marquez-Araneta who help choose the wardrobe for Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2010, Venus Raj. Shortly before her death, Gersbach said she told Raj "to relax and enjoy the Miss Universe pageant."
Death and memorial
Gersbach died in a car incident around 11 a.m. August 21, 2010, when the Toyota InnovaToyota Innova
The Toyota Innova is a Toyota-designed Compact MPV i.e. being less than in length as per the European system of size classification, produced in Indonesia under supervision by Toyota Astra Motor since 2003. As with Toyota Kijang, which it replaced, the Toyota Innova is produced and first marketed...
she was traveling in collided head on with a passenger bus in Barangay Pawili in Bula
Bula, Camarines Sur
Bula is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 , it has a population of 62,024 people....
. Police said, "the bus was trying to avoid a tricycle when it collided with a Toyota Innova". Gersbach, her makeup artist Alden Orense, and her driver, Santos Ramos Jr., were all killed in the accident. The only passenger to survive was Ronald Lita, a friend of Gersbach's. Gersbach was supposed to attend Ms. Bicolandia Executive Committee meeting for Ms. Bicolandia 2010 at the Avenue Hotel in Naga City
Naga City
The City of Naga is a first class independent component city in the Philippines...
. Several of the passengers of the bus were also reported injured. Stella Marquez-Araneta, Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) chairperson, stated: "Our sincerest condolences and prayers go out to her family and friends. Her death, unfortunate and untimely, has left everyone at Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. deeply saddened. Her passing will not only leave a void in our lives, but also in the hearts of everyone who knew her. Melody’s memory will always remain deep within our hearts."
Her remains were brought to the Heritage Park in Taguig City
Taguig City
Taguig is a city in Metro Manila in the Philippines. From a thriving fishing community along the shores of Laguna de Bay, it is now an important residential, commercial and industrial center...
, Metro Manila
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
, for a week. She was buried in Angeles City, Pampanga where she grew up. Her friends and relatives, including Miss Universe fourth runner-up Venus Raj, attended a funeral mass at 9 am. Wilson Fontillas, the bus driver who lost control of the passenger bus is under the custody of the Bula Police pending the filing of the case against him.