The Filipina who apparently filmed her own suicide live on Facebook was not same person who hanged herself in Mong Kok on Nov. 2, says
an official of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
Welfare officer Virsie B. Tamayao made the statement in the
wake of the spread of the video showing a Filipina calmly preparing a noose
from a blanket draped on a ceiling fan, then proceeding to hang herself with
it.
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| Tamayao also dismissed reports the suicide victim in HK had stage 4 cancer |
It emerged from later posts by her friends and relatives
that the Filipina in the disturbing video was working in Oman
Her death came shortly after an OFW in Hong
Kong , named Elen M. T., also hanged herself, using a fleece blanket she tied to the rails of her upper bunk bed in her employer’s house at 11 Hoi Fai
Road
What made her take her own life remains a puzzle.
Tamayao said Elen appeared to have debt problems, as shown by various demand letters sent to her by financing companies.
Tamayao said Elen appeared to have debt problems, as shown by various demand letters sent to her by financing companies.
“But the amount was not big, definitely not insurmountable,”
said Tamayao, who spoke with the agency that recruited Elen to Hong Kong on Nov 4.
Tamayao also dismissed talks Elen was suffering from stage 4
ovarian cancer and had taken her life because her employer decided not to renew
their contract.
“Wala siyang cancer,” said Tamayao. She also described the
employer as “mabait”. But she confirmed Elen’s contract was due to end on Nov.
20 this year.
OWWA records show Elen started working in Hong Kong in 2012, but went back to thePhilippines
Information relayed to the Consulate indicate Elen had two children, an 18-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. She had long separated from her husband, and had a Filipino boyfriend living in Italy who reportedly visited her in Hong Kong only last month.
She would have turned 38 this coming Nov 10.
OWWA records show Elen started working in Hong Kong in 2012, but went back to the
Information relayed to the Consulate indicate Elen had two children, an 18-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. She had long separated from her husband, and had a Filipino boyfriend living in Italy who reportedly visited her in Hong Kong only last month.
She would have turned 38 this coming Nov 10.
Pictures on her Facebook wall and those posted by her friends showed Elen to be outgoing,
and frequently took part in beauty and modeling contests organized by various
groups in the Filipino community.
However, her recent posts suggested problems with her love life. In one of them, Elen complained about the difficulty of having a long-distance relationship.
However, her recent posts suggested problems with her love life. In one of them, Elen complained about the difficulty of having a long-distance relationship.
On the day she died, Elen reportedly cleaned and fixed the
house before retiring to her bedroom to kill herself. She did not leave a suicide note.
Tamayao said it was the employer’s two-year-old child who
first saw her “che che” but did not realize what had happened. “Ang sabi daw ng
bata nakatulog habang nakatayo ang che che nya.”
The employer, along with the agency representative, met with
the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section on Nov. 5, to work
out the details of the repatriation.
Elen was originally from Tanauan, Batangas but lived with her family in
Novaliches, Quezon City
Since she was still covered by mandatory insurance, Elen’s
family will receive USD$10,000 in death benefit from her Philippines-based
insurer, apart from the Php120,000 death and burial benefits from OWWA. Both
insurers allow payouts even in suicide cases.
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| OFWs who are depressed may also seek counseling from Social Welfare Attache Beth Dy, shown here addressing cancer patients |
Tamayao said she hopes the two unfortunate incidents would
not spark copycat suicides. She said anyone who suffers from depression or
anxiety is welcome to approach her or anyone from OWWA.
Alternatively, they can talk to Social Welfare Attache Beth
Dy or her assistant at the Consulate, or call The Samaritans' 24-hour
hotline, 2896 0000.
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