 |
| Jenny at an event at the Philippine Consulate, where she was a regular volunteer |
The Filipino community in Hong Kong is mourning the passing of the former president of WOMED-Hong Kong, Juanita Abraham Bulaon.
Bulaon, known as Jenny or Jen to her friends in Hong
Kong and “Lita” to friends and family, succumbed to breast cancer in her
hometown of Gerona, Tarlac. She was 68.
She is survived by her husband, Danilo, who took
care of her from the time she decided to go home for good in 2020 after being
diagnosed with the disease.
 |
| Basahin ang detalye! |
Her remains now lie in state at the Gerona Chapel in
Poblacion 2, and will be buried this coming Saturday, Feb. 15.
Jenny was a registered nurse in the Philippines
before coming to Hong Kong to work as a domestic helper in 1985. She worked here
on and off, until she decided to retire to the Philippines five years ago.
Many of her friends and fellow members at WOMED HK
were taken by surprise by news of Jenny’s passing, as she kept her ailment a
secret to many.
 |
| Jenny and fellow WOMED HK volunteers often hung out at the Metrobank offices |
But among those who knew what she had been going through was WOMED HK founder Josie Cajada who recalled in a Facebook post how Jenny had lamented about her ailment to her via a video call three weeks ago.
Cajada said she responded, “Kapit lang, Jenny, I
know God is good to us all.”
Still, Cajada said she was “shocked” to hear of
Jenny’s passing.
 |
| Jenny was honored with an Outstanding OFW Leadership Award by Tarlac officials led by Governor Susan Yap (leftmost) |
Also
posting a tribute to Jenny was her former employer, Tom Donovan. In a Facebook
post he said: “A tribute to Juanita Abraham Bulaon,
our Amah in Hong Kong on her passing this week. Godspeed on your journey, your
reward for a life so well lived awaits. Thank-you for all your care and love.
You made our family part of your family.— 
feeling sad.
You
Rest now, it's well deserved. Bless you and yours always.— feeling sad.”
 |
| The late Consul General Raly Tejada sent off Jenny with a plaque of appreciation |
For
her long and exemplary stint as an OFW, no less than the Tarlac provincial
government under Governor Susan A. Yap bestowed Jenny with a “Tatak TarlakHenyo”
and an “Oustanding OFW Leadership award” in December 2018.
Less than two years later, the Philippine Consulate also gave recognition to Jenny’s selfless work for the Filipino community in Hong Kong, even amid the pandemic. Consul General Raly Tejada awarded her with a certificate of appreciation for her work as a volunteer in support of the Consulate’s various programs and projects.
Though grieving her loss, Jenny’s friends and relatives take comfort in the thought that her death would be reunited with her only son Cris, who was killed in a traffic accident nearly 25 years ago, when he was in his teens. They know Jenny had long waited to see her son again.
