President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, speaks with Rhodora Alcaraz, a domestic worker who rescued a three-month-old baby and the child’s elderly relative from a massive high-rise fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, at the Tambayan Food Hall in NAIA, Pasay City on December 15, 2025. (Noel Pabalate /PPA Pool)
In meeting Rhodora Alcaraz Tuñacao, the overseas Filipino worker who braved the tragic Tai Po fire in Hong Kong and saved a baby, President Marcos could not help but commend her heroism.
"Kanina po ay nakita ko si Rhodora Alcaraz Tuñacao (Earlier, I saw Rhodora Alcaraz Tuñacao)," the President said during his visit at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)-Terminal 3 on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
They met while Marcos was checking the new facilities at the airport which intends to benefit travelers, especially OFWs.
"Isa siya sa mga biktima ng Tai Po fire. Nakita niyo ba ‘yung napakalaking sunog na nangyari sa – nangyari sa HongKong? Sa kabila ng panganib na kanyang hinarap ay pinili niyang iligtas ang sanggol na kanyang inaalagaan. Pinapakita nito ang likas na malasakit ng Pilipino sa kanyang kapwa (She is one of the victims of the Tai Po fire. Did you see that massive fire that happened in—happened in Hong Kong? Despite the danger she faced, she chose to save the infant she was caring for. This shows the innate compassion of Filipinos for their fellow human beings)," Marcos said.
"Katulad ni Rhodora, ang bawat OFW natin ay nagsisikap na mabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang kanilang pamilya sa kabila ng pangungulila at panganib (Like Rhodora, each of our OFWs strives to provide a better future for their families despite the loneliness and risks they endure)," the President added.
Tuñacao saved a three-month-old baby by embracing the infant, protecting him from the massive blaze that took place last month.
She was later brought to the intensive care unit, where her condition improved and became stable after almost a week.