A fur mom who went viral last December earned praise for risking her life to save her two dogs from a fire that broke out in Brgy. Guizo, Mandaue City, Cebu.

Ei Mei Lee Chiu-Maningo, a stay-in worker, was inside a three-story commercial building when the blaze started on Dec. 10, 2025. Refusing to leave without her dogs, she went straight to where they were staying.

As seen in the viral video, Ei Mei calmly and carefully dropped her two Pomeranians from the third floor, ensuring rescuers below caught them safely, before climbing down a ladder to escape the burning building.

Weeks later, Maningo shared that her dogs, Miyah and Kayen, are still adjusting to their new environment while staying with a relative. She is also in the process of securing important documents lost in the fire, but said that, despite everything, they are all doing fine.

Looking back on what happened, Ei Mei admitted that the memory still brings a mix of

emotions. “Remembering the moment makes me anxious and nervous at the same time. Many ‘what ifs’ come to my mind, but I am still thankful that we were saved. We are safe,” she said.

Ei Mei never expected the incident to draw widespread attention online, recalling that she had noticed someone recording the fire as it happened.

“Initially, I was speechless and flattered by all the attention we received. I never expected to have a positive viral story,” she said. “During the incident, I saw somebody taking a video and thought it would be a shameful experience. Gladly, the opposite happened.”

Fortunately, the viral moment brought unexpected support. Ei Meireceived cash donations, dog supplies, and recognition from the Mandaue City Council for her heroic act, while several individuals also offered to help.

Ei Mei said she hopes her experience serves as a reminder for fur parents and pet owners to take responsibility for the animals that depend on them.

“It’s not enough to have the capacity to own pets. As pet owners, we must have the heart to take care of them,” she said. “Our pets have lives too. Having a pet is a responsibility and a commitment.”

The incident caused damage to the building, but Ei Mei’s quick thinking—and the efforts of rescuers and residents—ensured that no pets were left behind.