Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17658556706181765855668369.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>MANILA -- The Filipina domestic worker in Hong Kong who rescued a 3-month-old baby during a deadly high-rise apartment complex fire in November arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday.</div><p>The OFW, Rhodora Alcaraz,  was greeted by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration as part of the opening of new facilities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/12/1/filipino-domestic-worker-praised-for-saving-baby-in-hong-kong-blaze-0108">Filipino domestic worker praised for saving baby in Hong Kong blaze</a></div><p>Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos spearheaded the distribution of tokens to the OFWs. The President and the First Lady met Alcaraz separately.</p><p>It was unclear if Marcos Jr. provided aid to Alcaraz and her family when they met. The Malacanang Press Corps is clarifying the matter to the Presidential Communications Office, which has yet to respond as of this story’s posting.</p><p>The blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 26, trapping residents in thick smoke. It left at least 160 people dead, making it the world&#x27;s deadliest residential building blazed since 1980. </p><p>Amid the chaos, 28-year-old Alcaraz, a newly arrived domestic worker, cradled her employers&#x27; baby in a wet blanket while trapped in a smoke-filled room for several hours before being rescued by firefighters, her sister Raychelle Loreto earlier said. </p><p>Alcaraz, who was hospitalized after the incident, has been described by community members as a symbol of courage and compassion. Many overseas Filipinos in Hong Kong have lauded her act, calling her a &quot;modern-day hero&quot;. </p><p>She declined to give a statement to the media, requesting for privacy.</p><p>Authorities earlier said the blaze at the estate, which was undergoing major renovations, was likely made worse by the use of protective netting on its scaffolding that did not meet fire-resistance standards.</p><p>Flames quickly climbed the apartment blocks, which were wrapped with bamboo scaffolding.</p><p>The netting, as well as foam boards attached to the windows during the work, contributed to the spread of the fire, authorities said.</p><p>Police have arrested 15 people from various construction companies for manslaughter, and another six people in connection to fire alarms that failed to sound. </p><div><strong>— With reports from Agence France-Presse and Reuters</strong></div>

<p>The Filipina domestic worker in Hong Kong who rescued a 3-month-old baby during a deadly high-rise apartment complex fire in November arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday. </p>

The Filipina domestic worker in Hong Kong who rescued a 3-month-old baby during a deadly high-rise apartment complex fire in November arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday.

OFW who saved baby from Hong Kong fire back in PH, gets welcome from Marcos

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OFW who saved baby from Hong Kong fire back in PH, gets welcome from Marcos

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 16, 2025 11:32 AM PHT

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Updated December 16, 2025 12:17 PM PHT

Read More:

Rhodora Alcaraz

OFW

Hong Kong fire

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