Cory's prayer warriors: Pinay maids with cancer

(Updated) MANILA, Philippines - Empathizing with former President Corazon Aquino, several Filipino domestic helpers who are gripped with cancer trooped to the Philippine consulate in Hong Kong to pray for the country’s democracy icon. More than 30 Filipino workers, including at least five cancer-stricken domestic helpers, prayed for the speedy recovery of the well-loved leader who has been battling stage-4 colon cancer at the Makati Medical Center. GMA News reported that some cancer patients and survivors lighted yellow candles for Mrs. Aquino whose assumption to power through a bloodless EDSA People Power revolution ended more than 20 years of Marcos dictatorship. The patients even handed out yellow roses to Sen. Pia Cayetano, who was visiting Hong Kong, for her to give Mrs. Aquino.
For more information about Cory Aquino’s battle with cancer click here for GMANews.TV's special microsite Vice Consul Val Roque told GMANews.TV that there are 18 Filipinos living and working in Hong Kong who are struggling with cancer. Of this number, three are residents – three males and one female - in the Chinese territory while 15 are female domestic helpers. "There may be a few more patients whom we do not know for the simple reason that they have not approached us," Roque said. Roque said three Filipina maids already lost their jobs after their employers found out of their illness. In Hong Kong, employers shoulder all medical expenses of their domestic helpers. But through the generosity of some Hong Kong hospitals, Roque said doctors have waived the hefty price tag on chemotherapy sessions to the laid off Filipino domestic helpers and only charge a standardized fee amounting to HK$100 (roughly P621). “Most of the Filipinos here suffer from breast and cervical cancer. They find themselves in a similar situation as Cory Aquino," Roque said. - Joseph Holandes Ubalde, GMANews.TV