That afternoon, she left her children Jason, 6, Roy, 3, and Eric, 2, alone in their rented room at a boarding house to sell rice cakes.
Her husband, Roy, was also away for a painting job on San Pedro street when the fire struck at about 2:45 p.m.
Authorities said the fire started inside the Tumayaos’ room and quickly spread to 20 other houses in Barangay Sasa.
Neighbors tried to come to the three children’s rescue but to no avail. — Edith Regalado