We actually have more Rhodoras

By Alex P. Vidal

“When the will defies fear, when duty throws the gauntlet down to fate, when honor scorns to compromise with death – that is heroism.” – Robert Green Ingersoll

THE heroism of Rhodora Alcaraz, the Filipina domestic helper who saved a baby during a recent Hong Kong fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, was extraordinary but not new.

We salute our kababayan Rhodora, 28, for making us all proud despite the political turmoil back home. We have plenty of Rhodoras who end up working abroad after being ignored and neglected by our own government.

Filipinos all over the world have been known to be heroes and brave especially during critical moments.

When the rest of the world runs away, we come in and stay during matters of life and death.

We have heard countless stories of Filipino carpenters, nurses, drivers, caregivers, construction workers, among other OFWs, who impressed their employers by staying with them through thick and thin during disasters; some of them even sacrifice their lives to save their employers.

Rhodora, who had only recently arrived in Hong Kong, became bigger than life in the eyes of the world when shielded her employers’ three-month-old infant in a wet blanket while they were trapped for hours before being rescued by firefighters.

She is being celebrated for her courage and is being called a “modern-day hero” by many, including Hong Kong authorities.

Rhodora made her family proud and transform all of us ten-feet tall all over the globe as news of her heroism spread like prairie fire these past days.

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For those who missed the news. Rhodora reportedly protected the infant by cradling the baby in a wet blanket while trapped in a smoke-filled room for hours before her rescue.

According to latest reports, she survived the horrific incident but remained in the hospital. Philippine government officials and a senator have visited her to praise her heroism and offer their support.

For her gallantry, Rhodora has been lauded by the Filipino community and her former employer as a symbol of courage and compassion.

The Philippine Overseas Labor Welfare Administration (OWWA) stated in an online post that officials had visited Rhodora in the hospital, praising her as a true heroine of our time and a model of care and courage for Filipinos overseas.

Representatives from the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Mission For Migrant Workers also visited Rhodora.

Her story has for some reportedly highlighted the enduring role of the city’s hundreds of thousands of domestic helpers who cook, clean and care for the young and elderly, often living in cramped spaces and earning modest wages in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

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Here’s how The Print chronicled Rhodora’s heroism:

Panicked audio messages Alcaraz sent to her sister during Wednesday’s blaze – that killed at least 151 people – went viral after they were shared online by family and friends trying to locate her in the chaotic aftermath.

“I’m feeling very weak. I can’t breathe,” she said in one of the clips, sobbing and struggling to speak.

Rhoda Lynn Dayo, Alcaraz’s former employer, was among those trying to reach people in Hong Kong to help establish her whereabouts, she said.

“I truly expected that she wouldn’t be found anymore. So I prayed: Please God … Perform a miracle, Lord,” she said.

Alcaraz, known by the nickname Jackie, had cared for Dayo’s children from the age of 17 for more than four years back in the Philippines.

She was so trusted by the family that Dayo said she was comfortable leaving her children with Alcaraz even when she had to travel to the U.S.

“The way she cared for the kids was different – there was real love … I don’t doubt that she would put her life on the line for the child she was caring for,” Dayo said.

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Why it feels like everyone is sick right now In late fall, it seems like everyone is under the weather. Between RSV, the flu, the common cold and COVID-19, viral season is hitting hard in the East Coast.

“When you’re not feeling your best, CityMD is here for you — no appointment needed. Our providers can test, diagnose and help you start feeling better fast,” said the email I received from CityMD.

Why it’s important to get checked out: Accurate diagnosis: We must know exactly what’s causing our symptoms. On-site testing: We get tested for flu, COVID, strep and more. Right treatment: We can find out if we need medication like antibiotics.

We can prevent sickness by staying healthy by washing our hands often, getting plenty of sleep and coming in for our yearly flu shot.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)