Pinay OFW killed in Hong Kong fire; another hurt after saving baby
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:34 p.m.) — The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong confirmed that a Filipina domestic worker died in the massive fire that swept through Tai Po district, one of the deadliest in the city’s history.
The blaze has so far claimed at least 128 lives as of Saturday, November 28, leaving thousands grieving as Hong Kong enters the second day of its official three-day mourning period.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, the consulate initially refrained from disclosing the victim’s identity. By Sunday, November 30, however, officials identified her as Maryan Pascual Esteban.
"Far from her native home, she had made innumerable sacrifices to provide a better life for her family. She leaves behind a ten-year-old son and her family in Cainta, Rizal," the statement read.
“The Consulate General extends our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones at this trying time,” it added.
Meanwhile, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac personally visited the victim’s family Saturday night to offer President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s condolences and ensure they receive full assistance.
"Tonight, as we received the sad news of our first and hopefully last OFW fatality in the fire in Tai Po, Hongkong, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator PY Caunan and I visited the family of our slain OFW and conveyed the President’s condolences and directive to provide fullest assistance," Cacdac said on Facebook.
The DMW chief said he spoke with the 10-year-old son of the victim, assuring him that his mother will always live in his heart and that she would want nothing more than for him to finish his studies.
"When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, he said, ‘Firefighter po para wala na pong mamatay sa sunog,’” Cacdac said.
“May the soul of our dearly departed OFW, a heroine who died while taking care of her employer’s five-year-old daughter, rest in God’s eternal embrace,” he added.
In a separate advisory on Sunday, November 30, the consulate said 84 Filipinos affected by the fire have been confirmed safe while 7 remain under verification.
Filipina hurt after heroic rescue of baby
Another Filipina domestic worker, Rhodora Alcaraz, survived the blaze after rescuing a three-month-old baby.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) identified Alcaraz as a recent arrival in Hong Kong and said she remains in critical but stable condition.
"Mula sa sunog na tumama sa Wang Fuk Court sa Tai Po noong Nobyembre 26, lumitaw ang isang kwento ng kabayanihan. Si Rhodora Alcaraz, isang bagong dating na domestic worker, ay nagligtas ng isang tatlong buwang sanggol sa gitna ng apoy at makapal na usok. Sa halip na tumakas, niyakap niya ang sanggol upang protektahan ito at nailigtas ang buhay ng bata," OWWA said.
(From the fire that struck Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 26 emerged a story of heroism. Rhodora Alcaraz, a newly arrived domestic worker, rescued a three-month-old baby amid the flames and thick smoke. Instead of fleeing, she embraced the baby to protect it, saving the child’s life.)
Representatives from OWWA Hong Kong, the Philippine Consulate General and DMW visited her in the hospital.
OWWA’s Regional Office also contacted her family in the Philippines to provide support.
The agency hailed her as a modern-day hero and urged prayers for her recovery.
"Marami ang humanga sa kanyang kabayanihan, isang tunay na modern-day hero at huwaran ng malasakit at tapang ng Pilipino sa ibang bayan. Isama natin si Rhodora sa ating mga panalangin para sa kanyang mabilis na paggaling," the agency said.
(Many admired her heroism, a true modern-day hero and an example of the compassion and courage of Filipinos abroad. Let us include Rhodora in our prayers for her speedy recovery.)
Desperate search
The death toll from the Tai Po fire remained at 128 on Saturday, with 44 bodies still awaiting identification. Around 150 people are missing, over 40 remain hospitalized and 19 are in critical condition.
Police and rescue teams have finished searching some of the towers, while anxious families continue to search hospitals and victim identification centers. Authorities have arrested 11 people in connection with the blaze.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire started on protective netting and spread quickly due to flammable foam boards and bamboo scaffolding. Alarm systems in all eight buildings were reportedly malfunctioning, leaving residents to alert neighbors themselves.
The blaze, Hong Kong’s deadliest since 1948, resulted in the Buildings Department temporarily suspending works on 30 private construction projects as investigators continue their work. — with reports from Agence France-Presse
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