Fur mom warns public vs. fake donation requests

CEBU, Philippines — While support and recognition continue to pour in for a fur mom who risked her life to save her two Pomeranian dogs during a fire in Barangay Guizo, Mandaue City, she has warned the public against individuals using photos from the incident to solicit cash donations.

Ei Mei Lee Chiu Maningo clarified that she is not asking for financial assistance and that the circulating online bank account and social media pages are not connected to her in any way.

?“Wala g’yud ko nangayo og tabang financially sa bisan kinsa unless it is given to us willingly and voluntarily,” Maningo said.

?While expressing gratitude to those who offered help, she urged individuals with ill intentions to stop exploiting the situation.

?“For those who helped, salamat. For those nga naay bad intentions, please stop,” she said.

?Maningo appeared before the Mandaue City Council yesterday, December 15, accompanied by her dogs, Miyah and Kayen, during a regular session where she was formally commended for her extraordinary act of bravery.

?The council cited her courage, sound judgment, and devotion after she rushed back into a burning structure to rescue her pets.

Councilor Jennifer Del Mar, who authored the resolution, praised Maningo for choosing compassion and love over fear, highlighting the selflessness of her actions.

?Along with the plaque of recognition, the pets received dog food and treats courtesy of the Island Rescue Organization (IRO).

?Moreover, Maningo said the occasion should not be used as an opportunity to take advantage of someone’s experience, adding that several social media accounts have falsely claimed she is soliciting donations using bank accounts that are not hers.

?In an interview, Maningo said she remains overwhelmed by the praise and recognition she has received following the incident.

?She recalled that it was only two days later when she realized that a video of her rescuing her dogs during the December 10 fire had gone viral on social media.

?“Until now, wala pa g’yud siya ni-sink in totally,” she said.

?Maningo admitted that she was extremely frightened during the incident and could not fully explain how she managed to go down from the building.

?She said that when the fire broke out, Miyah clung to her while Kayen became visibly frightened, prompting her to return to the living area to retrieve the second dog.

?“Mao to nga time nga akoa siyang gikuha balik ug akoa sa siya gi-am-aman para mo-duol nako,” she recalled.

?Maningo said she decided to drop her dogs one by one after receiving assurance from people below that they would catch them.

?“The whole time nga nagplano ko nga mo-naog, akong gikuptan ang duha ka iro kay nahadlok ko nga kung buhian nako, basin mutago ug lisod na hinuon nako og naog,” she said.

?“At first, ana man sila nga biyaan daw nako, pero dili g’yud nako sila biyaan,” she added.

?She said both dogs did not sustain any injuries, based on the results of a checkup conducted by a veterinarian two days after the fire.

?Maningo also reminded fur parents and pet owners to be responsible, noting that pets have no way of expressing what they feel.

?“We must be responsible enough and compassionate nga i-take care g’yud nato ang atoang mga pets,” she said.

?For Maningo, Miyah and Kayen are family. She currently lives alone, as her husband has been working as a seafarer for the past nine months.

?“Ako ra g’yud usa sa balay, ug sila duha ra akong kauban. Mao nga giisip g’yud nako sila nga pamilya,” she said. ? — (FREEMAN)