2 Pinays die after collapsing in employers’ homes

By The SUN

Two Filipina domestic workers have reportedly died after collapsing in their employers’ houses over the weekend.

Donna M. Avanceña, who would have turned 56 on Feb 25, collapsed early on Feb 2 in her employer’s flat at 32 Kennedy Road in Mid-Levels and was rushed to nearby Ruttonjee Hospital on an ambulance. She expired shortly later.

Avancena died in Ruttonjee Hospital in Wanchai

From Ruttonjee, the remains of Avancena were taken to the Victoria Public Mortuary in Kennedy Town. Public viewing of her remains has not been arranged.

On the same day, Eva A. Pascua, 46, a native of San Agustin, Isabela, was reportedly found unconscious in her employer’s home by her wards and was rushed to Caritas Hospital in Cheung Sha Wan. She passed on the next day.

Pascua’s friend, Marites Palma, said she had already reported the death to the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section and to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.

Palma also said Pascua’s child arrived in Hong Kong from Manila today, Feb. 4, and was working with an aunt on repatriating the remains of her mother.

The causes of Avanceña and Pascua’s deaths were not immediately known.

Avanceña’s niece, Aida Ajihil, said she was told to return to the Victoria Public Mortuary for the report on Friday, Feb 8.

Avanceña, a breast cancer survivor for 15 years, fell ill Friday evening after taking her day off, her friend Ann Apita, who also works in Mid-Levels, said.

“Basta after mag-holiday kahapon, umuwi siyang ginaw na ginaw daw. Uminom siya ng hot lemon at nagsuka, tapos hinimatay,” Apita said.

Avancena, who had worked for her 99-year-old employer for 24 years, regained consciousness, and Ajihil who worked in the same household, dialed 999 for assistance.

Avancena was rushed to hospital but did not survive. She left behind a husband and a 13-year-old daughter.

On Sunday, Feb 3, Ajihil and Apita reported Avanceña’s death to the Consulate and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office. The ATN is helping arrange the repatriation of her remains.

Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has calculated that a long service pay of about $70,000 is due to Avanceña’s heirs from her employer. They will also get a death and burial benefit of Php120,000 from OWWA, and her daughter will get a monthly high school stipend and college scholarship.

Danny Baldon, officer of the PCG’s assistance to nationals section, said a funeral home had already been contacted to ship Avanceña’s remains to her hometown.

But the date of repatriation could not yet be set due to the Lunar New Year holiday this week.