A series of devastating fires tore through residential areas in Iloilo City’s Jaro District on Monday, February 16, resulting in significant destruction and tragedy that resonated across international borders to the Filipino community in Dubai.
The dual fire incidents, occurring in Benedicto town and Barangay Balabago, consumed approximately 20 homes and claimed the life of 25-year-old Rostom Ancita, who had aspirations of joining the local fire brigade. According to local reports, Ancita became trapped inside a burning vehicle repair shop during the early morning blaze.
The Benedicto fire generated massive smoke clouds that enveloped the neighborhood, triggering widespread panic among residents. The crisis extended beyond physical boundaries as overseas Filipino workers in Dubai watched helplessly through real-time videos and messages shared by relatives.
Dubai resident B.R. described the anguish of receiving emergency updates from her mother, who resided merely two blocks from the ignition point. As smoke permeated their family home, her mother and brother were forced to evacuate to a nearby shopping mall for safety. ‘The helplessness is overwhelming when you’re separated by thousands of kilometers,’ B.R. told Khaleej Times. ‘You remain constantly connected to your phone, anxiously awaiting any news.’
Another Dubai-based Filipino professional, Lorraine P., recounted her immediate panic upon learning about the fires in her hometown. ‘The distance magnifies the stress during emergencies back home,’ the HR manager explained. ‘Your only recourse becomes constant communication and prayers for everyone’s safety.’
The tragedy highlights the emotional challenges faced by overseas Filipino workers who maintain deep connections to their homeland while building lives abroad. With approximately four hours time difference between the Philippines and UAE, many expatriates experienced the crisis in real-time through digital updates from family members, demonstrating how technology simultaneously connects and heightens anxiety during international emergencies.