Sometimes we don’t have to carry weapons to be called a hero. Sometimes, courage, caring, and a heart willing to sacrifice for others is enough. This is the kind of hero a Filipina caregiver in Be’er Sheva, Israel—a fellow OFW who chose to save the lives of others, even in the face of certain disaster.
On Tuesday, June 24, a few seconds before an Iranian missile crashed into the apartment building where they were living, our Countryman quickly sheltered the elderly Israeli he was taking care of in the bomb shelter.
Without a doubt about it.
There is no doubt if he will survive.
As long as it’s important, grandma is saved.
Four people were killed in the building in the alleged explosion. But thanks to the courage and agility of our countrymen, they and her pet are safe from harm.
Upon hearing about the incident, the Philippine Embassy Rapid Response Team, under the leadership of Vice Consul Teri Adolf Bautista, together with OWWA Welfare Officer Karen Padduyao and Attache Leizl Camarillo, immediately visited him. They carried relief items such as rice, grocery items, hygiene kits, and new clothes because none of the items were saved by the Filipina caregiver from the damaged apartment.
Now they are temporarily staying with grandma in a safer place. Additional assistance from DMW and OWWA is also being processed, including psychosocial support. His employer and the son of the elderly Israeli he rescued couldn’t believe the heroism he showed. “My mother would not be alive if not for her,” said the child. One line that will hit the heart of anyone who will hear.
Life in abroad is not easy. Away from the family. Uncertainty in every day. But despite of all of this, many of us OFWs choose to be the light in the midst of darkness, the guardians in the midst of danger, and the support of those who hope.
Kabayan, your bravery reminds us the true spirit of being a Filipino.
We salute you. We love you and we will never forsake you.
Isang Filipina caregiver sa Israel, iniligtas ang employer mula sa missile attack
Minsan, hindi natin kailangang humawak ng sandata para matawag na bayani. Minsan, sapat na ang tapang, malasakit, at pusong handang isakripisyo ang sarili para sa kapwa. Ganitong klaseng bayani ang isang Filipina caregiver sa Be’er Sheva, Israel—isang kababayan nating OFW na piniling iligtas ang buhay ng iba, kahit pa sa harap ng tiyak na kapahamakan.
Noong Martes, Hunyo 24, ilang segundo bago bumagsak ang isang Iranian missile sa apartment building kung saan sila naninirahan, mabilis na isinilong ng ating Kababayan ang inaalagaan niyang matandang Israeli sa bomb shelter.
Walang pag-aalinlangan.
Walang pag-iisip kung makaliligtas pa ba siya.
Basta’t ang mahalaga, mailigtas si lola.
Sa nasabing pagsabog, apat ang nasawi sa gusaling iyon. Ngunit salamat sa tapang at liksi ng ating kababayan, sila ng kanyang alaga ay ligtas sa kapahamakan.
Nang mabalitaan ang insidente, agad siyang binisita ng Philippine Embassy Rapid Response Team, sa pamumuno ni Vice Consul Teri Adolf Bautista, kasama sina OWWA Welfare Officer Karen Padduyao at Attache Leizl Camarillo. Bitbit nila ang mga relief items gaya ng bigas, grocery items, hygiene kits, at bagong damit dahil ni isa mang gamit ay hindi naisalba ng Filipina caregiver mula sa nasirang apartment.
Ngayon, pansamantala na silang naninirahan ni lola sa mas ligtas na lugar. Pinoproseso na rin ang karagdagang tulong mula sa DMW at OWWA, kabilang ang psychosocial support. Ang kanyang employer at ang anak ng matandang Israeli na kaniyang iniligtas ay hindi makapaniwala sa ipinamalas niyang kabayanihan.”My mother would not be alive if not for her,” ani ng anak. Isang linyang sadyang tatama sa puso ng sinumang makakarinig.
Hindi madali ang buhay sa ibang bansa. Malayo sa pamilya. Walang kasiguraduhan sa bawat araw. Pero sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, marami sa ating mga OFW ang pinipiling maging ilaw sa gitna ng dilim, tagapangalaga sa gitna ng panganib, at sandigan ng mga taong umaasa.
Kabayan, ang iyong tapang ay paalala sa amin ng tunay na diwa ng pagiging Pilipino.
Saludo kami sa iyo. Mahal ka namin at hindi ka namin pababayaan.
