Marilyn Cahatol

An aerial view of the collapsed nine-story building under construction in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, taken on May 26, 2026. Authorities announced on Monday that they have shifted to search and retrieval operations for the remaining 17 missing workers after hours of detecting no signs of life in the rubble.  Ryan Evangelista, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

PAMPANGA BUILDING COLLAPSE

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178080764772720260526-pampanga-building-collapse-RE10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">An aerial view of the collapsed nine-story building under construction in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, taken on May 26, 2026. Authorities announced on Monday that they have shifted to search and retrieval operations for the remaining 17 missing workers after hours of detecting no signs of life in the rubble. <em>Ryan Evangelista, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — Marilou Gelera lived a quiet and simple life in Barangay Pacao, Villareal, Samar when devastating news reached her.</p><p>Her eldest son, Jeffrey Esponga, whom she had not seen in nearly eight years, was among those reported missing following the collapse of a nine-story hotel under construction in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga. </p><p>Armed only with money borrowed for transportation, Marilou immediately traveled to Pampanga. Unfamiliar with the roads and the city itself, she navigated her way to Angeles City in hopes of finding her son.</p><p>Her youngest son, Jenner, who works in Caloocan, later joined her. Upon arriving at ground zero, Marilou was confronted by mountains of twisted steel and crushed concrete—the remains of the collapsed structure. </p><p>At the time, no one could tell her whether her son was among the victims already recovered from the rubble. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/6/death-toll-from-the-angeles-city-building-collapse-rises-to-28-2352">Death toll from the Angeles City building collapse rises to 28<br/></a></div><p>Jeffrey last returned to Samar in 2018 for a vacation. According to Marilou, her son was only 13 when he left for Manila to look for work due to the poverty their family faced in the province.</p><p>Now 33, Jeffrey’s life was cut short by tragedy, taking away Marilou’s chance to spend more time with her eldest son.</p><p>“Masakit sa damdamin, nawala ang anak ko, mahal na mahal ko yun, hindi ko yun napapagalitan,” Marilou said through tears.</p><p>Jeffrey had already built a family of his own. He and his wife, Reynalyn Abayon, had an 11-month-old daughter named Jasmine.</p><p>For years, Marilou only saw and spoke to her son and his family through video calls.</p><p>Struggling financially, the family lived inside workers’ barracks at the construction site. Also staying with them was Jairus, Reynalyn’s nine-year-old son from a previous relationship.</p><p>When the building collapsed, all four were trapped beneath the debris.</p><p>The tragic news also reached Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, where Reynalyn’s family learned that she and her children were among those buried in the collapse. </p><p>Despite financial difficulties, Reynalyn’s sister, Jessa Abayon, traveled to Angeles City in hopes of claiming the remains of her loved ones.</p><p>“Kakalipat lang nila sa barracks. May 4 po sila nakapunta dito. Sabi naman daw ng foreman pwedeng isama ang pamilya, kaya isinama ang pamilya sa barracks,” Jessa said.</p><p>On Tuesday, June 2, search teams recovered four bodies lying side by side beneath the rubble—a man, a woman, a young boy, and an infant girl who was still found in a cradle. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/3/charges-filed-against-owners-contractors-of-collapsed-angeles-city-building-0055">Charges filed against owners, contractors of collapsed Angeles City building</a></div><p>All four matched the descriptions of the family being sought by Marilou and Jessa. Inside the morgue of Pangilinan Funeral Homes, a heartbreaking and tragic reunion unfolded. </p><p>The recovered victims were positively identified as Jeffrey, Reynalyn, and their two children. Their identities were later confirmed through DNA testing. </p><p>Marilou never imagined that the next time she would see her son—and the first time she would meet her daughter-in-law and granddaughter in person—would be inside a morgue.</p><p>“Ang sakit, ang sakit,” she cried.</p><p>Jenner also struggled to accept the loss of his older brother, whom he described as the family’s pillar of support.</p><p>“Super supportive niya sa amin, sa akin, tuwing umaga, tatawagan niya ako, kumusta ka na? Malayo ako sa inyo,“ Jenner said between sobs.</p><p>“Sobrang napakasakit na mawalan ng kuya na palaging nakasuporta  sa iyo,” he added.</p><p>Although the building owner and contractor have reportedly offered assistance, the family said they will continue seeking accountability and justice.</p><p>“Sa nangyaring ito hindi po pwedeng pabayaan kasi marami pong buhay na nadadamay, kailangan papanagutin po talaga,” Jessa said.</p><p>Initially, the families planned to divide the remains of their loved ones.</p><p>Jeffrey and his 11-month-old daughter were to be buried in Villareal, Samar, while Reynalyn and her nine-year-old son were to be laid to rest in Surigao del Sur.</p><p>However, both families eventually agreed that the four victims would remain together and be buried side by side in a single gravesite in Angeles City—a final resting place that would keep the family united even in death.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/24/9-story-building-collapses-in-angeles-pampanga-19-safe-up-to-40-missing-0827">9-story building collapses in Angeles, Pampanga; 19 safe, up to 40 missing</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/07inteEzZrs?si=yKQRt1UrgLyY7Kei" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Marilou Gelera lived a quiet and simple life in Barangay Pacao, Villareal, Samar when devastating news reached her. Her eldest son, Jeffrey Esponga, whom she had not seen in nearly eight years, was among those reported missing following the collapse of a nine-story hotel in Pampanga.</p>

Marilou Gelera lived a quiet and simple life in Barangay Pacao, Villareal, Samar when devastating news reached her. Her eldest son, Jeffrey Esponga, whom she had not seen in nearly eight years, was among those reported missing following the collapse of a nine-story hotel in Pampanga.

Mother's journey ends in heartbreak as family of 4 found in Angeles City building debris

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Mother's journey ends in heartbreak as family of 4 found in Angeles City building debris

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 07, 2026 01:19 PM PHT

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Updated June 07, 2026 01:23 PM PHT

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ANGELES CITY

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