Amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, stories of heroism and dedication have emerged from overseas Filipino workers in Israel, dispelling misconceptions about the situation.
One such story centers on a quick-thinking Filipino caregiver who averted tragedy by sacrificing her savings and a Filipina nurse who displayed incredible humanity and loyalty.
Camille Jesalva, a 31-year-old caregiver, found herself in a life-threatening situation on October 7 when a Hamas terrorist broke into the Gaza border home she shared with her 95-year-old employer, Nitza Hefetz, Times of Israel reported.
Faced with a perilous encounter, Jesalva made a split-second decision to hand over her savings, NIS 1,500 ($370), meant for her upcoming trip to the Philippines.
She pleaded with the intruder not to take her plane ticket. The terrorist, after searching the property and confiscating Jesalva’s smartphone, eventually left.
Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Jesalva expressed, “It’s a miracle that I stayed alive. I told my mother that I was going to die, and I asked her to send me a picture of my son because I felt that I wouldn’t get out of this alive.” She hasn’t seen her son in a year and a half.
Jesalva secured herself and Nitza Hefetz in a protected room, where they awaited help for several hours. Hailing from a background of working in Dubai, she understood that the people speaking aggressively were doing so in Arabic, heightening her fear as she stood before the terrorists.
She recalled the tense moment: “There were a lot of them, and I was sure they would kill us. I stood up and said to one of them, ‘Hello, sir.’ Then he asked me, ‘Where is the money?'”
She also tried to keep Hefetz calm, as the elderly woman woke up and wanted to protest. Jesalva pleaded, “Nitza, please be quiet,” to ensure their safety.
After the terrorists left, the two women continued to embrace each other inside the protected room until Israeli soldiers arrived.
Jesalva decided to cancel her flight to the Philippines to remain by Hefetz’s side, explaining, “I feel like I can’t leave her, like she’s my best friend. She trusts me, and I trust her.” She plans to return home in a month.
Yael Arieli, Hefetz’s daughter, described Jesalva as an angel and praised her for saving her mother’s life. Nitza Hefetz has resided on Kibbutz Nirim for 70 years.
In contrast to Jesalva’s story, a Filipina nurse named Angelyn Peralta Aguirre chose to stay with her elderly patient, Nira, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, even when she had the chance to escape.
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, deputy mayor of Jerusalem, honored Aguirre, stating that she displayed “unbelievable humanity and loyalty by remaining at Nira’s side during the violence.” Tragically, both Aguirre and Nira lost their lives in the conflict.
Aguirre, a 32-year-old from Barangay Balagan, shared her fear with her family in her final group chat as armed men approached the residence where she was staying. The terror unfolded before her eyes, and in her last message, she expressed her fear.
Aguirre, who had been married for just over a year, was one of two Filipinos confirmed to have died in the attacks launched by Hamas in various parts of Israel, particularly near the border with Gaza.
These stories of bravery and sacrifice amidst the turmoil in Israel offer a different perspective on the situation, emphasizing the resilience and courage of overseas Filipino workers in the face of adversity.
The Daily Netizen 