By Daisy CL Mandap
 |
| Tek would have turned 57 this coming Aug 27 |
A casket bearing the remains of a longtime leader of two lady drivers’ organizations in Hong Kong left for Manila earlier today, Aug 21, to bring her home in Cavite, and then on to her final resting place.
About 30
friends of Maria Teresa “Tek” Barro, who would have turned 57 this coming Aug
27, gathered at the mortuary of Ruttonjee Hospital in Wanchai Friday afternoon
to say a final goodbye to her.
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Barro had worked in Hong Kong as a domestic helper for the past 29 years.
 |
| Mass was said at Ruttonjee mortuary before Tek's casket was sealed |
Chaplain for Filipinos in Hong Kong, Fr Jay Flandez, said mass and blessed Barro’s body before a wooden box containing her coffin was sealed and sent on to the airport for the early-morning flight to Manila via Cathay Pacific.
On Friday night, more of her friends gathered for a mass at St Margaret’s church in Happy Valley in remembrance.
 |
| Call us! |
Her
friends extolled Barro for her easy smile,
generosity to friends and family, and dedication to her work and the
organizations she served.
 |
| More people gathered for a memorial mass for Tek at St Margaret's church |
She was president of the Radiant Organization of Amiable Drivers (Road HK) from 2015 to 2018, then led a new group, Drivers Advocating Services to Helpers, or Dash Hong Kong.
 |
| PRESS TO LEARN MORE |
Barro succumbed
to complications from cancer at 6 am on Aug 7 at Ruttonjee. She was single and
was survived by her partner, Izy Tagara, and two siblings.
With Barro at the helm, Road and Dash undertook projects to promote members' interest and encourage more foreign domestic workers to boost their salary by learning how to drive.
 | |
|
Both groups were also regular participants in Filipino community events organized by the Philippine Consulate, including the annual Philippine Independence Day celebration in Central.
 |
| As president of Dash, Barro continued involving her group in Filcom activities |
Ma Teresa Aquino, incumbent Road president, said the deceased had been sick on and off for years, but her condition deteriorated after being taken to hospital for chest pains on Jul 24.
Twelve
years ago Barro had a heart bypass operation but recovered well enough to
continue driving. Later she was diagnosed with breast cancer but went into
remission and was able to resume her work.
 |
| CLICK FOR DETAILS |
She passed on after her cancer metastasized to her lungs, causing pneumonia.
Through
her last bout with illnesses, Barro held on to her role as Dash president and remained at the post until her death.
 | |
Her
employer in Mid-Levels who she worked with for 12 years, then rejoined after being
diagnosed with cancer, had paid for the cost of repatriation. Barro also kept her friendship with her former employer in Tai Hang with whom she worked for five years.
 |
| PADALA NA! |
 |
| CALL US NOW! |
