Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

BASISTA, PANGASINAN — Mary Ann De Vera was a jolly person who, despite her struggles with mental health, remained optimistic, her close friend Mel Grace Esico recalled as she revisited the building struck by a missile over the weekend in Tel Aviv, Israel.De Vera, a 32-year-old Filipino caregiver from Basista, Pangasinan, was killed while protecting her patients during an airstrike that hit their apartment.On Tuesday, Esico spoke to ABS-CBN News via video call as she walked through the community—now marked by destruction—following the Iranian airstrike.“Napaka-jolly no’n. Kahit may, ‘Ate, may anxiety attack na naman ako, may depression na naman ako.’ Sabi ko, ‘Lika, upo tayo, mag-usap tayo,’” Esico related.(She was very jolly. Even when she would say, “Ate, I’m having anxiety attacks again, I’m depressed again,” I would tell her, “Come, let’s sit down and talk.”)Esico said she would often comfort De Vera—whom she fondly called “Michelle”—during her lowest moments. At one point, she even advised her to visit Bethlehem to pray.Yet despite her struggles, De Vera carried herself lightly.“Alam mo ‘yon, ‘yong kahit namomroblema siya, lagi siyang nakangiti. Parang wala lang, easy lang ang buhay sa kanya,” Esico said.(You know, even when she had problems, she was always smiling. As if life was easy for her.)De Vera grew up with her sibling under the care of their grandparents in Barangay Poblacion, Basista, Pangasinan.She later moved to Israel, where she worked as a caregiver alongside her husband. The couple had no children.Married to an Israeli and now a resident in Israel, Esico recalled how De Vera would often volunteer to care for her child.She described De Vera as more than a friend — she was like a sister.“So ‘yong puso ko, alam niyo po ‘yon, parang lalabas na doon sa dibdib ko,” she said.(My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest.)“Siyempre, parang kang nawalan ng kapatid eh. Parang luluwa yung puso mo sa dibdib mo sa kaba, nasusuka ka na parang, bakit? Maraming bakit.”(Of course, it feels like losing a sibling, like your heart is jumping out of your chest from fear, you feel sick, asking why—so many whys.)Esico said De Vera’s husband has asked her to speak to the media as he continues to cope with the tragedy.“Nasa stage pa ho ng shock talaga. Hindi pa po niya talaga matanggap.”(He is still in a state of shock. He still cannot fully accept it.)The Philippine Embassy in Israel said repatriating her remains has proven difficult, as airspace closures continue to complicate travel arrangements. Officials are working to arrange a flight that will also bring her husband back to the Philippines.“Ang kagustuhan namin as soon as sana na feasible, ipapadala na ‘yong remains pero as long as hindi pa open ‘yong mga airspace, talagang imposible logistically,” said Philippine Ambassador Aileen Mendiola (We want to send her remains home as soon as feasible, but as long as the airspace remains closed, it is logistically impossible.)Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh has extended assistance to De Vera’s family, including lifetime livelihood support and a monthly allowance, among others.

Mary Ann De Vera was a jolly person who, despite her struggles with mental health, remained optimistic, her close friend Mel Grace Esico recalled as she revisited the building struck by a missile over the weekend in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Mary Ann De Vera was a jolly person who, despite her struggles with mental health, remained optimistic, her close friend Mel Grace Esico recalled as she revisited the building struck by a missile over the weekend in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Filipina caregiver killed in Tel Aviv airstrike remembered as ‘jolly’ despite struggles

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Filipina caregiver killed in Tel Aviv airstrike remembered as ‘jolly’ despite struggles

Michael Delizo

Published March 03, 2026 09:46 PM PHT

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Mary Ann De Vera

Israel

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