OFW who rescued baby from HK fire comes home

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December 16, 2025 | 5:00pm

MANILA, Philippines — The overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who rescued a baby during the Hong Kong high-rise fire has returned to the Philippines, receiving a welcome from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Rhodora Alcaraz Tuñacao was caught in the Hong Kong fire with the child she was caring for. She managed to escape with the baby, but her injuries left her confined to the hospital for several weeks.

Tuñacao is now among the guests at the ceremonial opening of NAIA’s new facilities.

“Sa kabila ng panganib na kanyang hinarap ay pinili niyang iligtas ang sanggol na kanyang inaalagaan. Pinapakita nito ang likas na malasakit ng Pilipino sa kanyang kapwa. Katulad ni Rhodora, ang bawat OFW natin ay nagsisikap na mabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang kanilang pamilya sa kabila ng pangungulila at panganib,” Marcos said at the ceremonies.

(Despite the danger she faced, she chose to save the baby that she was taking care of. This showed how Filipinos care for others. Like Rhodora, all of our OFWs are working to give their families a better future despite the loneliness and dangers.)

Tuñacao was also welcomed home by her two siblings, who helped bring her back to Laguna.

Around 160 people died in the Hong Kong fire, with at least one Filipino among the fatalities.