Aida R. Villanueva,
71
By The SUN
 |
| As a Rizalista, Villanueva often joined wreath-laying ceremonies at Philippine historical sites in HK |
Filipino community leaders in Hong Kong
are mourning the death of one of their own - Aida Rebutiaco Villanueva - who succumbed to
brain abscess caused by a lingering ear infection, on Aug 15. She was 71.
She was laid to rest today, Aug 21, at the Pamplona Catholic
Cemetery in Camarines Sur, where she retired
two years ago, after working as a domestic helper in Hong
Kong for more than three decades.
Villanueva, or Ate Aida to many of her friends in Hong Kong, was widely known as an officer of several
organizations, including Philippine Cultural Academy Dance Ensemble (PCADE),
Diwa’t Kabayan Benlife, and Kababaihang Rizalista, where she served as vice
president.
She was also well remembered for being the older sister of
the late Linda Layosa, a former domestic worker who carved a name for herself
as the editor of Tinig Filipino, the
first magazine set up to serve Filipinos in Hong Kong.
According to Naty Manalo, one of her closest friends in Hong
Kong, Ate Aida is survived by her six children, all of whom she raised on her
own while working abroad.
 |
| 4 of ate Aida's 6 children at the wake: Gina (eldest), Francp, Leila and Rolly Not in photo are Rico and Ronaldo. |
Manalo also said her friend had long suffered from an ear
infection and diabetes, and was taking regular medication for these ailments.
The ear infection apparently worsened last month, and in
turn, also her diabetes.
One of her children said through messenger that Ate Aida had
to go for a series of consultations and laboratory tests in July. After being
given medicine for her ear infection, the lab tests reportedly showed her blood
sugar had gone up to four times the normal range.
On Aug 9, she was referred to an endocrinologist and was
given medication to control her diabetes. But on Aug 12 she developed a high
fever and was rushed to the Bicol Medical Center
in Naga City, where she died three days later.
“The doctor told us to expect the. worst, but (to) pray that
it may not happen,” said her daughter. “We welcomed God's will when it happened…”
==
I-try mo ito, Kabayan: Kung interesado kang ma-contact ang mga advertiser namin dito, pindutin lang ang kanilang ad, at lalabas ang auto-dialer. Pindutin ulit upang tumawag. Hindi na kailangang pindutin ang mga numero.
