Isabela family pleads for early return of OFW killed in HK fire
JONES, ISABELA—The parents of Mary Ann “Maryan” Pascual Esteban, the 40-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was among those killed in the massive fire that gutted residential towers in Hong Kong, are pleading for the immediate return of her remains so they can see her one last time.
Her mother, 65-year-old Manayon Esteban-Medina, said their family had been looking forward to a joyful Christmas and were in anguish that the anticipated happy reunion would no longer happen.
Maryan was scheduled to return on Dec. 16 and spend the holidays with them in Santa Isabel, a remote village of 626 residents (2020 census), in Jones town.
Maryan was among the 151 fatalities in the fire that swept through the high-rise Wang Fuk Court Residential Complex in Tai Po District, Hong Kong on Nov. 26.
During her vacation in May, she had promised to fetch her 10-year-old son Ralph—who lives with her sister in Cainta, Rizal—and bring him home to Santa Isabel to celebrate Christmas. But none of those plans will ever happen.
“We will have a sad Christmas instead of a happy one. Our hearts bleed,” Manayon said in an interview on Monday.
Maryan had been using her mother’s maiden name due to an error in the registration of her first and last names, which she carried throughout her employment abroad.
Her father, Jaime Medina, turned 68 on Monday, the same day the Inquirer visited them. But there was no birthday meal to share.
Financial support
“In past years, she would send money so we could buy food for my birthday. Now, there is no celebration—we are very sad,” Jaime said.
He added: “Even my favorite pansit (noodles) isn’t on the table. We are just waiting for her remains.”
Jaime said Maryan had dreamed of returning home for good once her son finished senior high school.
“But it will never be the same,” he lamented.
Representatives from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa), who visited the Medinas on Monday, assured them that Maryan’s body would be repatriated within three weeks to a month.
The Department of Migrant Workers earlier pledged financial assistance to the family.
A single mother, Maryan was described by her parents as “kind and helpful,” never complaining about work or responsibilities.
She spent 10 years as a domestic helper in Lebanon and nearly four years in Hong Kong.
Knowing they were aging, her parents allowed her elder sister to care for Ralph while Maryan continued working abroad.
Manayon said she was relieved to hear that aside from financial aid, Owwa also committed to provide educational assistance to Maryan’s son until he finishes college.
