5-12-2025 (MANILA) The remains of a 40-year-old Filipino domestic worker killed in a massive fire at a Hong Kong high-rise will be repatriated to the Philippines within weeks, officials confirmed Friday, marking the first confirmed death among overseas Filipinos in the incident.
Maryan Pascual Esteban, from Jones in Isabela province, perished in the blaze that gutted the residential complex earlier this month. Esteban, who had worked in Lebanon for a decade before moving to Hong Kong, was scheduled to return home for Christmas, a plan shattered by the tragedy.
Her family, including parents Manayon and Jaime Esteban Medina, expressed devastation, with her mother noting the loss would overshadow the holidays. Philippine authorities, through the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, are expediting the process and providing financial support to relatives.
The fire displaced at least 26 Filipino domestic workers, with 23 receiving immediate aid including food packs, dignity kits, and document replacements from the Philippine Consulate General. One worker remains missing amid ongoing searches coordinated with Hong Kong police, while another is recovering in intensive care. Consulate officials reported Friday that financial assistance has reached affected families in the Philippines, alongside a donation drive for further relief.
