Mother goes into labor aboard LRT train; baby named after station

A 22-year-old pregnant woman went into labor aboard a Light Rail Transit (LRT) train Wednesday morning while on her way to a hospital for a checkup. With the help of LRT personnel, Mary Ann Opedra was rushed to Pasay General Hospital where she gave birth to a baby girl. A news release from the LRT Administration said Mary Ann and her husband, Renato, named the infant Liberty Anne, after LRT-1’s Libertad Station whose personnel helped her. "Mary Ann Opedra, 22 years old of E. Rodriguez St. Baclaran, Pasay City delivered her first child at Pasay General Hospital at around 8:44 a.m. after being rushed by LRT frontline personnel to the nearest hospital near Libertad Station," the LRTA said. According to Arius Serioza, the head guard at the station, Mary Ann and Renato were on their way to Doroteo Jose Station for Mary Ann's monthly checkup at the Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila. While en route to Manila's Sampaloc district, Mary Ann's contractions reportedly grew more unbearable even before they reached the Doroteo Jose Station. This prompted her to disembark at the Libertad Station in Pasay City. "Attracting a small commotion inside the train, the guard was prompted to call other station personnel for assistance to carry the pregnant woman to the nearest hospital. Upon seeing the urgency of the situation, the station supervisor at Libertad Station directed them to bring Ms. Opedra to Pasay General Hospital," the LRTA said. "We sought the assistance of our guards to lay her on the stretcher available at the station, and transported her to the Pasay General Hospital near Libertad Station," said Rosella Hugo, the station supervisor. Serioza and two others accompanied Mary Ann to the hospital while Renato went home to get things for the baby. It was not the first time a baby was named after an LRT station. On May 5, 2005, Lea Aquino Ababa of Pasay City gave birth to a baby girl inside the station while on her way to Fabella Memorial Hospital. The infant was named Dorotea, after the name of the station. On October 30, 2010, LRT guard Elnora Castro helped a pregnant woman deliver her son at the platform area of Pedro Gil Station. Castro received recognition from LRT management and was absorbed for employment because of her invaluable service. - KBK, GMA News