A tribute to OFW Juanita Agustin Limbago who died for a noble cause

The young Filipino couple Edwin, 35, and Juanita, 31, lived in West Rembo, Makati City. Their marriage was blessed with Marc, 8, and an 8-month old baby boy who died in early infancy.

Unable to pursue college because of poverty, they led a hand-to-mouth existence by selling real estate, books and other odd jobs. Both ambitious and dreamers, the couple planned of living in a house they can call their own and provide their son a good education.

As was the trend, they planned of seeking jobs abroad. Luckily, Edwin landed a job in Qatar Logistics. Meanwhile, Juanita was left at home to care for their son, but her idea of seeing their dreams fulfilled someday kept burning inside her. As fate would have it, her break came. She hold on to it. With the blessing, backing and consent of her beloved husband, Juanita set sail to Kowloon, Hong Kong for a 2-year contract as domestic helper. According to OWWA, her employment was to take effect March 2, 2011.

In her facebook account, she posted her longings, pain and hope, resulting from the separation from her family. On May 8, Mother’s Day, she penned a loving note to her son, “Marc, today is my day but without you I am not a mother. I love you baby with all my heart…this is our day…”

However, that June 10, a Friday, about more than 2 months in Hong Kong, tragedy struck OFW Juanita while officially performing her duty. Tasked to bring her employer’s 6-year old son to school, they were hit and dragged by an on-coming bus while crossing the street. Instinctively, Juanita, disregarding her personal safety, turned her back against the oncoming vehicle and put her arms around the boy to protect him, said an OWWA representative based on testimonies from witnesses.

Interrogated, the driver reasoned out he was unaware of the accident. He stopped the bus only when onlookers shouted and made signs at him to stop.

Rushed to Hong Kong’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Juanita succumbed to severe internal injuries. The boy was visibly shock but was pronounced physically fine.

The bereaved husband Edwin, who had last talk to his wife Juanita a few days back, enplaned the Qatar-Hong Kong- Manila route to see the remains and pay his last respect to his dear wife.

In Makati, on June 25, a Saturday, with family and friends, Edwin buried in the cemetery his beloved wife Juanita Agustin Limbago, who wrote in her facebook 2 years before her death about the need in this world for self-sacrifice after watching the movie “2012”. (Source)