A Dubai-based Filipino who recently had her house in Satwa and belongings destroyed by a fire said they were overwhelmed with the help and assistance they received from various OFW groups and individuals in the UAE.
Gina Fe Sanico, 34, told The Filipino Times that they received so much help and items from these “wonderful, amazing people” that they had to give many of those away to others in need.
“Binigyan po namin ang mga kababayan ko pong naka-no-work-no-pay at iba pang mga nationalities na apektado din ng sunog,” she said.
Sanico ecounted her experience in the recent fire that razed their home in Satwa on September 24, and how so many Filipinos and other nationalities joined together to help them survive the ordeal.
She said that if it weren’t for the Indian who alerted them about the fire, and the many Filipino groups who poured in help after they lost most of their belongings, they probably would have spent the next few months utterly devastated and hopeless.
Sanico said the blaze started at around 5 AM in their villa in Al Badaa, Satwa due to a defected electrical outlet where they used to plug in their microwave. The smoke went all the way to the ceiling, and reached a gas tank two meters away, resulting in an explosion and further spread of the fire.
She said the Indian living in their building, who was always going to the gym, woke up at around 5 AM to the sight of the smoke and fire. Knowing that they would have been trapped, she said he and his brothers immediately knocked on their door and helped them quickly get out of the villa—just in time before the said gas tank exploded.
The OFW said that in their haste, they ran without any footwear and with only the clothes on their back. Even the balikbayan box they were supposed to send to the Philippines had been engulfed by the fire.
“From our family, nagpapasalamt kmi ng sobra sobra sa mga Indian brothers n nangalamapag ng pintuan at nagligtas sa amin during the fire! Utang po namin sa kanila ang second life namin lalo n dun sa nakakita ng apoy,” she said.
“Ang daming dumagdag na tulong even today, may mga calls and messages pa rin. Around 25 Filipino groups po ang nagpaabot ng tulong, bukod sa iba pang galing sa mga friends and strangers,” she added.
Among the groups and individuals who helped them, said Sanico, included the following:
1. Kalayaan 2020
2. Pinas Express Cargo
3. Kabayan Barter headed by Sir Joey
4. Triskelion DUBAI Chapter
5. AKRHO Dubai
6. CFC Dubai
7. Dubai Bikers
8. Stop & Help headed by Miss Heather
9. “Mr. Beardo” Shirad Sahaladdin from Lebanon
10. Sunrise 315 Karama
11. Food Bank UAE
12. CIASI GROUP Dubai Chapter
13. Ortigas Restaurant
14. Holy Shirt
15. Pinoy Bayanihan Community
16. RNB Ladies Salon
17. Dubai Badminton Group
18. Emy Luxuryshop
19. Ms. Natasha from the British and south African Community
20. Mosaic Church
21. World Revival International Church
22. “Padyakeros”Cycling Buddies Dubai
23. Barter & Deal Group Dubai
Sanico also noted that the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai was quick to provide assistance, with Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes calling her to ask if they need any assistance and if their passports were still intact.
The OFW said that all the assistance they received were equally divided to all the 20 victims of the fire, as well as to the Indians who helped them get out of their burning house.
“Sa lahat ng mga nagpaabot ng tulong, maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat! God bless us all!” she said.
