WATCH: OFW’s heroic rescue of old couple in Macau

Don Kevin Hapal

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WATCH: OFW’s heroic rescue of old couple in Macau
Samar native Loreto Mijares saved an old couple from gushing flood waters as Severe Typhoon Hato hit Macau on August 23

MANILA, Philippines – An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Macau has received praise from netizens, as a video of him saving at least two people from deadly flood during a Signal Number 10 typhoon recently went viral.

Severe Typhoon Hato left a trail of destruction across southern China, battering Macau with hurricane force winds and heavy rains on Wednesday, August 23. The storm warning was raised to the city’s maximum Typhoon 10 signal, a record high in 5 years, and killed 12 with destructive wind and floods.

In the video, Northern Samar native Loreto Mijares Jr was seen trying to save an old couple from gushing flood waters, using an improvised lifeline and a rescue buoy while standing atop a van submerged in the flood.

 

According to Mijares, the couple who are in their mid-70s were returning from the market when the flood suddenly rose to dangerous levels. Seeing that they were about to drown, Mijares came down the building to save them.

HERO'S FAMILY. Both Jhunnefa and Loreto Mijares have been working in Barra, Macau for a year now. They have a daughter named Tracy Jermaine.

“I was scared because it was my first time to face a typhoon and had no experience in saving drowning people in a mass flood. I am also not a professional swimmer, so it was hard for me. But I couldn’t resist, I just knew I needed to save them anyhow,” Mijares told Rappler.

Both the couple and Mijares survived with just scratches from broken glasses and other debris carried by the flood. 

“Deep inside I felt glad and relieved, even [with a] little effort I could save their lives,” Mijares said.

His wife, Jhunnafe Mijares, posted the video on Facebook on Thursday, August 24. As of writing, the video has been shared more than 5,000 times. 

“We are so overwhelmed to [receive so much] appreciation from everyone and I hope every person would step forward to help each other in need. You don’t have to do big things, only a small effort can change or save a life,” she said. 

Both Jhunnafe and Loreto have been working as housekeeping staff for The Parisian Macao Hotel for a year now. – Rappler.com

 

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Don Kevin Hapal

Don Kevin Hapal is Rappler’s Head of Data and Innovation. He started at Rappler as a digital communications specialist, then went on to lead Rappler’s Balikbayan section for overseas Filipinos. He was introduced to data journalism while writing and researching about social media, disinformation, and propaganda.