Pinay OFW Nerissa Catabay Risks Life to Save Child in Fire
NERISSA CATABAY – An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is being recognized for her bravery after rescuing the child she cares for during a massive fire that engulfed their building in Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po District, Hong Kong, on November 26, 2025.
Nerissa, a live-in nanny, was alone in the apartment with the child at the time, as her employers were elsewhere. The building’s fire alarm was not working, prompting her to warn neighbors by livestreaming the emergency. In the video, she can be seen carrying the child while running and shouting that the building was on fire.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Nerissa explained how she quickly grabbed the baby and ran without locking anything, not even the windows, to escape safely. She noticed flames spreading rapidly due to strong winds and realized the urgency of leaving immediately. With the elevators out of service, she descended the 23 floors on foot, stopping briefly on the 11th floor due to fear and exhaustion, but continued down until they reached safety.
Nerissa lost all her personal belongings as well as her employers’ items in the blaze, yet she is grateful to have survived. She said her focus was only on saving herself and the child, thanking God for giving her the strength and clear thinking to escape despite feeling suffocated by smoke.
The fire at Wang Fuk Court claimed at least 146 lives, with more than 100 others reported missing, making Nerissa one of the fortunate survivors. Her experience contrasts with others, such as Rhodora Alcaraz Toñacao, who is hospitalized after rescuing a three-month-old infant, and Maryan Pascual Esteban, who tragically lost the five-year-old girl she cared for.
Related Post: Pinay OFW Shares Her Struggles About Working Abroad “Patutulogin ng di kumakain”