Isang liham sa mga OFW’s – tinaguriang Makabagong Bayani

Nasagi na rin sa aking isipan na hindi habang panahon ay dapat tayong tawaging OFW, kundi OFI – Overseas Filipino Investors at ito ay napapanahon na!

Tulad nyo rin akong OFW na nangarap para sa aking pamilya, naghanap ng “Greener Pastures” ika nga at doon sa ibang bansa natagpuan natin ang perang hindi kayang kitain ng nakakaraming kababayan natin at doon din natin natagpuan ang magiging kasagutan sa ating kahirapan… Pero teka muna, hindi ata tayo naging consistent sa ating pangarap… nakaluwag-luwag tayo, nakapagpapadala na tayo ng sapat at minsan sobra pa sa kanilang pangangailangan… kuntento na ba tayo don? O basta ang mahalaga nakapagpapadala tayo sa kanila? Pero teka ang bahay na iyo bang tinitirhan ay pag-aari mo na? O patuloy ka pa ring nangungupahan o di kaya’y ito’y sa iyong magulang? Hindi mo ba naisip minsan ang magkaroon ng matatawag mong sariling iyo? “Sana noon pa!” isang katagang aking nabanggit sa tagal ko ng paninilbihan sa ibayong dagat ngunit tulad ng iba umiral pa rin sa akin ang pagiging responsableng anak na inisip ko muna ang para sa aking mga magulang at kapatid at hindi iyon “regretfull”. At hindi don nagtatapos dahil andon pa rin ang pagnananasa kong magkaroon ng sariling akin! Lakasan ng loob at tibay ng dibdib ang minsan pa nating naririnig sa mga taong may pangarap na abutin ang gusto nyang marating. Salamat sa Diyos, nakabili na rin ako ng lupa’t bahay at hindi don nagtatapos dahil sa sobrang lakas at tapang ay kumuha na rin ako ng bagong investment – isang residential condo unit... “Ang magaling na tao ay tinuturo ang kanyang nalalaman.” Hindi pala dapat nating itago ang mga secret of success... masaya na makita mong ang ang mga kasama mo ay kasabay mong umaangat at hindi gusto mo na ikaw lamang ang nasa itaas... isang tao ang aking nakapanayam at kung bakit ako nag-invest ng condo ay iyon ang dahilan... perang kinita at sa ilang taon ay doble-doble na! At sa pagpapatuloy ng aking adventure sa buhay na ito ay nais kong maibahagi sa inyo lalo na ang kapwa ko OFW’s na may kakayahang mag invest. Palitan na natin ang OFW! OFI na! Overseas Filipino Investors! Alisin na natin ang takot! Alisin na ang mindset na hindi natin kaya! Kaya natin ito! Wag na nating hayaang mas nakakarami ang dayuhang nag-i-invest sa ating bansa. It’s time na para tayo naman ang mag may-ari ng mga naglalakihang condo sa Metro Manila... At kaisa namin kayo dahil kami sa New San Jose Builders, Inc. ay 100% ding pinoy! Para sa mga karagdagang impormasyon kung paano mag invest sa pinakamura at pinaka mababang presyo ng Residential Condo unit sa Manila – Victoria De Malate! Nep Paraiso – Project Specialist – 0917-5892896 . 0918-6548909 Nepparaiso@yahoo.com

Wala akong pakialam, I’m just a concerned citizen...

Kwentong Eye in the Ship

Ano naman ang mapapala ko? Ang mahalaga naipaalam ko sa inyo ang mabuti at dapat gawin... Oo buhay nyo yan at gusto nyong mag take ng risk e... kung nakalusot kayo, swerte nyo at pag nahuli kayo malas nyo lang, wag na lang kayong mansisi ng ibang tao, agency o gobyerno dahil alam nyo naman ang tama at mali, ang legal at hindi legal!

Bakit nga ba lagi na lang nasa huli ang pagsisisi? Bakit nga ba mayroon pang taong gustong iparating ang mga balitang magbibigay sa atin ng tamang daan? at bakit meron pa rin taong gustong gustong abutin ang mga pangarap kahit hindi naman tama? At bakit meron pa ring mga ahensya o grupong sa hangad lang ay kumita ng pera ay magdadala kay Juan dela Cruz sa ibang bansa na hindi tamang proseso? O sadya bang ang kahirapan ang syang nagdudulot upang kumapit tayo sa patalim?

Totoo po na isa sa pinaka magandang lugar sa mundo sa parte ng Europa, ang United Kingdom (countries including England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) ay masasabi nating isa sa mga ‘dreams’ ng pinoy na gustong marating. At sino ba ang hindi gustong marating ito? Mapalad din ako na makarating dito kahit wala sa pangarap ko! at ang nakakatuwa pa ay ‘I’m beginning to love this country’ (lol) malinis, maganda ang paligid, mataas ang pagtanaw sa ‘human rights’, mapag-alaga sa likas na yaman, sa dagat, sa bundok sa mga hayop at sa kanyang kapaligiran. Dito mo makikita sa totoong buhay ang mga naglalakihang Palasyo (historic Edinburgh Castle), mga malilinis at naggagandahang parks, mga monuments, mga landmarks mga orihinal na ‘botiques’ mga super duper na discount on sale items (ang aking weakness) hays sarap mag shopping (sige lang kaskas ng kaskas), at higit pa don ang one pound (£1) is equal to Seventy Pesos (P 70) Wow kung kumikita ka ng £3,000 ay mayroon kang P210,000.00 aysus kaya naman pala sarap pumunta ng UK (lol)... teka muna bakit ba iyong ang pinapaabot ko hahaha lalo lang matatakam kayong pumunta dito hehe at masarap pati dito ung climate, malamig kahit summer hehe at pag summer alas-tres ng umaga e maliwanag na at magtatagal ito hanggang alas-onse ng gabi! Swak ito sa mga binatang katulad ko (wink*) sarap maglakad at maggala sa kung saan saan (lol)... un nga lang napupuyat ang mga manok haba ng umaga...


Teka nga muna balik tayo sa pinupunto ko mga kababayan hehehe ayun nga po alam nyo bang naghihigpit na ang UKBA (United Kingdom Border Agency) at kanilang immigration sa mga nagnanais na makapunta dito? Opo at ibibigay ko sa inyo ang ilan sa mga balitang aking nakalap, hindi po ito tsismis, napag-uusapan lang, walang labis walang kulang, ano ba napapakanta tuloy ako...

Sa aking palagay, eto pakiramdam ko lang ha! Ayaw ng mga Briton ng maraming tao at maingay (kaya siguro walang divisoria dito! At bawal ang SM joke!) o ayaw din nilang magkaroon ng smokey mountain o kaya mga squatter sa Manila at India (lol) sa totoo lang ayaw talaga nila non... like what happen recently ung eviction sa illegal travellers of Dale Farms... (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/10/26/dale-farm-eviction-delayed-yet-again-by-bats-115875-23514859/) yan basahin nyo ang buod ng istorya... o kaya i-google nyo na lang at marami kayong makikita don... napapagod na kong mag cut & paste (lol). Katuwa pa sa balitang iyan na delay because of wildlife, o dib a sabi ko sa inyo, they are protecting wildlife and animals... kakaiba talaga ang UK! Pati bats and newts they care for all of them... see site of Keeping exotic pets at http://www.keepingexoticpets.co.uk/caring-for-newts.html mama mia! they care for all of these insects and animals! No wonder kung bakit ang ganda ganda ng kapaligiran nila, kung bakit blessed sila sa magandang mountains, rivers, seas, etc. etc. kasi they are a good stewards of God given creation... wala akong masasabi... kinukulong nila ang pumapatay ng ibon or those cruel to animals... kaya ung pumapatay ng aso at bumibili ng aso ewan ko lang sa inyo kung saan kayo pupulutin!

E bat ba napunta tayo sa mga wildlife? Ah kasi parte sila ng delay of Squatters eviction ahihi... At alam nyo ayaw nila ng maraming anak! Sa atin nagkalat! We love children and lots of children (lol)... Konti na nga lang sila dito pero may nag aabandon pa ng mga child, parang gusto kong mag-inquire at mag adopt, imported na bata (lol)... eto puntahan nyo ang website nila http://www.giveachildahome.co.uk/ inquire kayo hehe... ayaw nilang maraming tao sa bansa nila kaya meron sila nito NO to 70 million visit the site at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/19658 e tayo tuwang tuwa pa at napapa dyaryo ang recent happening ng 70th billion child from Philippines yahoo meron pang regalo ha at binisita pa ng UN katuwa naman talaga... o nabasa nyo ang petition ng mga katauhan dito? Ano sabi, “because of the strong public petition on immigration they are calling for the necessary steps in curbing immigrants, visas, etc. eto na naghihigpit na sila, kaya naman isa sa mga affected e ung mga gustong pumunta dito thru Study visa o eto puntahan nyo ang site -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-15544453 tighter rules were introduced on student visas, 762 banks from Philippines were banned and have been put on a Government black-list of financial institutions which cannot be trusted to verify documents supporting student visa applications
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/news/article/3-000-banks-on-visa-blacklist/25478/ ilan yan s mga pangyayari dito na aking nakakalap.

Totoo ayaw rin nilang mahatiian pa ng ibang mga tao with regards to their grants kasi pag british citizen kana may karapatan ka sa public finances (health, finance & benefits). Mga kababayan hirap na rin ang kanilang bansa, crisis din po sila... at eto ang mainit na balita: UK 'highly likely' to slip into recession, warns UBS http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/UK-highly-likely-slip-tele-4000980940.html?x=0


O ayan bahala na kayong umunawa ng mga nakalap ng inyong tsismosong kababayan dito sa UK hehe... actually trabaho ko kasi ang maglagay ng news and information sa TV mess hall ng barko, kaya ayan wala akong ginawa kundi maghalungkat ng balita lalo na pag affected tayong mga pinoy...

Un lang at magandang gabi sa inyong lahat! Hays natapos din ang blog na ito, 5:45 pm na dito at sobrang dilim na sa labas ng barko... taglamig na dito at ito na ang huli kong project sa UK waaaaaaaaaa... I love this country especially during summer (lol)... punta na ko next year sa South America... Brazil here I come...thank you Lord for the blessings...

Gandang umaga Pilipinas!

Looking for a friends:

Qualifications: One of the following:
He/she should loves to cook, bake,
prepares juices and other drinks...







He/she should have time for
running/jogging in morning/evening
and joins fun run/marathon...










He/she should love taking photographs and
loves to shoot, have time to go out to shoot for any topic...

He/she should love plants, likes
gardening...








He/she should be adventurous, out goer, loves to travel anywhere (kkb)...



He/she should be a blogger,
knows anything when it comes to blogging...
tulad ni Pablong makatat manunulat (http://pablongmakatatmanunulat.blogspot.com)
at si pinoy sa earth (http://pinoysaearth.blogspot.com)


Ay hindi ko po sinasabing wala kayong ginagawa (lol!) hindi naman po dapat lahat alam nyo hehe one of those lang na pwede kong kasama sa shooting, sa pagluluto, sa galaan, etc. etc. matagal ang bakasyon ko ngayon yahooooooooooooo

eto ang kasagutan sa Pinoy via UK student visa

Attention: Pinoys, Agency, Banks & Government
based on the news from Hello-Phils regarding the

UK-based students vent anger at PH agency

http://pinoysaearth.blogspot.com/2011/10/uk-based-students-vent-anger-at-ph.html

that was published recently
Be aware po: kanina lang eto ang nabasa ko... Totoo po na naghihigpit na ang UK Border Agency sa mga gustong pumasok sa UK na non EU member... at isa na ang Pilipinas sa watchlist...

'3,000 banks' on visa blacklist
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/news/article/3-000-banks-on-visa-blacklist/25478/

Published: 2:59am, 30th October 2011
Updated: 9:23am, 30th October 2011


Nearly 3,000 banks have been put on a Government black-list of financial institutions which cannot be trusted to verify documents supporting student visa applications, officials have said.

Foreign students applying to study in the UK who claim they have funds to support themselves and pay for their course held in any of the banks on the list will receive no points for maintenance, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) said.

The list, which includes 1,977 banks in India, three in Pakistan and 762 in the Philippines, is the latest part of the Government's efforts to crack down on bogus students.

Study is the most common reason for migrants coming to the UK, with three in four of the 228,000 who came to the UK for study last year coming from outside the EU.

A UKBA spokeswoman said: "We have radically overhauled the student visa system in order to tackle abuses whilst continuing to attract the brightest and best genuine students from across the world.
"We need to be confident that those applying for student visas have the funds to support themselves and pay for their course in the UK."

Alp Mehmet, vice-chairman of the campaign group Migration Watch UK, said the list was "just one indication of the rampant abuse of the student visa system".

"It is high time that interviews were re-introduced in countries of concern to weed out bogus students before they get a visa," he said. "Once they are here they are not only very difficult and expensive to remove but they also damage the reputation of our very valuable higher education sector."

Officials will give a 30-day notice period when any bank is added to the list to enable potential foreign students to provide financial documentation which meets the new requirements.

The list will also be kept under review, officials said.

Ang buhay nga naman...

There comes a time sa buhay natin na dumadating ang saya, lungkot, ginhawa, hirap, sakit, tagumpay, katatawanan at kamatayan... sabi nga ni kuya Kim ang buhay ay “weather weather lang”. Pabago bago, nagpapalit, dumarating ang bagyo, tag-ulan, tag-init at tamang panahon... parang buhay lang di ba? Sa mga bagay na iyon, handa ba nating tanggapin? Hindi naman pwede na laging masaya at tagumpay... dumadating din ang mga bagyo at sakit o lungkot as spices of our lives. People are learned from that lesson at iyon ang nagiging daan para magtagumpay at magkaroon ng kagalakan...

Hello! Philippines – yan ang pambansang dyaryo ng Filipino dito sa UK which I recently knew to one of my Filipino colleagues here in Vessel Alliance, (one of the Technip Fleet here in North Sea and in coming days will be sold to Seamec). Hello-Philippines which contains news around the Globe kaya ang mga pinoy updated din sa Pinas when it comes to showbiz, kaya I sometimes surprised sa mga pinoy e... sabi ko nga, “mga tsimoso kayo talaga (lol)” pero hindi ko sila masisi maybe it’s one of their outlet, ang magbasa ng mga kaganapan sa favourite nilang artista. That’s Life ika nga! Iyon ang nagbibigay kasiyahan sa kanila so hindi dapat hadlangan...

Ang buhay talaga hindi pare-pareho kanya kanyang gusto, kanya kanyang bisyo, kanya kanyang plano... ibat-ibang hilig... kaya may kanya kanya ding pangyayari ang bawat isa, at kanya kanyang experiences, at dito sa Hello! Mababasa nyo ang ibat-ibang kaganapan... Sino nga ba ang dapat sisihin sa mga bagay bagay na nangyayari sa atin? Ikaw (Me,myself & I) sila (surroundings), mga tao (others) at mga namamahala (Government), Sino nga ba? Tulad na lang nito:

Another Pinoy 'drug mule' arrested in Hong Kong (http://hello-hilippines.com/term/world/another-pinoy-drug-mule-arrested-in-hong-kong.html) The Filipino, who had worked as an airport cab driver in the Philippines, was allegedly offered by a drug syndicate to go abroad to deliver goods.

Sarili – ginusto mo yan dahil may pangagailangan ka, para sa iyo at sa pamilya mo... at ano naman ang consequence?

Surroundings – lahat naman naghihirap at nakikita mo sa iba ang madaliang pagyaman... nakakita ka ng mga masasamang gawain na madaliang kita at hindi naman sila nahuhuli...

Others – kailangan ka nila pero may kapalit... Pera – kailangan mo! Kailangan nila! Kasi kikita sila pag nagawa mo ung pinapagawa nila... yon nga lang may kasamang risk at ikaw ang mapapahamak... sana lang tulungan ka nila...

Government – dahil ba sa walang mapapasukang trabaho? Dahil ba sa kawalan ng oportunidad sa sariling bayan? Hindi naman natin dapat sisihin ito sa gobyerno... lagi na lang pag may mga problema lalo na pag nasa ibang bansa... lagi na lang gobyerno... buhay nga naman!


Mapait na karanasan di ba? Ginusto natin and unfortunately nahuli ka! Akala nyo kasi ang kasamaan ay nagtatagumpay! Sorry ka! Ang Kabutihan pa rin ang syang mangingibabaw!

Pinoy feeds the Homeless in Austria (http://hello-philippines.com/articles/lifestyle-features/pinoy-feeds-the-homeless-in-austria.html)

Ito naman ang isang magandang kwento na masasabi nating ginusto nya dahil naranasan nya ang buhay na ‘yon at kasayahan nya na makapaglingkod sa kanyang kapwa dahil naging ganon din ang kanyang buhay at naging matagumpay sya at binabalik nya sa iba ang blessings na natanggap nya buhat sa itaas. Pananalig sa Diyos – isang gabay upang matunton natin ang tamang daan at kasayahan at kaligayahan ng buhay, bagay na masasabi nating tamang ginawa ng isang tao... mula sa kahirapan hanggang ang makamtan ang masaganang buhay... buhay na wala tayong masising tao... buhay na masasabi nating tagumpay at nakakatuwa na makarinig tayo ng mga ganong karanasan... kasama ang pagpupunyaging makaahon sa bagyo at hirap at tamang pagpaplano at pagtungo sa hinaharap... walang masamang hangarin tulad ng naunang balita... wag mong sabihing wala kang masamang hangarin sa pamilya mo? Nag connect nga e... masama ung hangarin mong magdala ng droga sa ibang bansa kaya pati ang pamilya mo napasama na rin...

Flood horror:Tributes to nurse who drowned in her basement (http://hello-philippines.com/term/europe/floods-horror-tributes-to-nurse-who-drowned-in-her-basement.html)

Ito naman ang isang pangyayaring nakakalungkot... hindi natin talaga alam kung hanggang kailan tayo mananatili sa mundo... walang nakaka-alam kung paano at kailan ang nakatakdang araw na yon... bigla-bigla na lang dadating ang pangyayari... hindi natin alam ang bukas... Ang mahalaga mayroon tayong Diyos na titingin sa atin... may Hesus na nagmamahal sa atin na makakasama natin sa kabilang buhay... may eternal life (John 3:16)... may panibagong buhay na wala ng luha at mapapait na karanasan... nakahanda ka ba kaibigan?

Filipino visionaries honored in San Francisco (http://hello-philippines.com/term/u-s/filipino-visionaries-honored-in-san-francisco.html)

‘Make a Difference’ ito naman ang tema ng mga pinoy na nagpupunyagi upang mapaganda ang antas ng pamumuhay at makita ang angking talino at sipag ng mga pinoy... gawaing makapukaw ng kasayahan sa mga mambabasa... proud ka pag nakakabasa ka ng mga ganito di ba? Sabi nga ‘Tagumpay nila, tagumpay natin’ paano naman un, ‘Pagbagsak nila, pagbagsak din natin?’ siguro dapat, ‘Tagumpay nila, maipagmamalaki natin’ tulad na lang ni Manny Pacquiao, tagumpay sya at maipagmamalaki natin... hindi naman natin tagumpay yon e, siya lang ang kumita hindi tayo (lol)... mga taong may vision at may plano sa kanilang propesyon... mga taong naghahangad to ‘make a difference’... mga magagandang hangarin... nagtatagumpay...

UK-based students vent anger at PH agency (http://hello-philippines.com/term/europe/uk-based-students-vent-anger-at-ph-agency.html)

I quote ko lang ito, based sa sinabi ng isang estudyante, “Napakalaking gamble noon sa amin na ang laki-laki ng binayad namin tapos wala naman (trabaho). Akala namin pagdating dito okay. Yun pala, yung mga sinabi niyang trabaho, di naman totoo,” said John, the designated spokesperson of the students. --------- Sorry po kuya student visa ata ang inaplayan nyo e hindi naman working visa at ikaw naman Agency minsan, para lang kumita at maraming makuhang pera e nag dadagdag kayo ng konting salita to win them... Minsan hirap spelingin talaga ang mga pinoy hehe... When I attended the Job Fair sa MOA complex meron dong agency na working abroad thru student visa na minsan nga pangako un ng agency na makakapag trabaho while studying... pwes, ang totoo po walang ganon... marami po ditong mga pinoy akong nakakausap at hirap talaga silang makahanap ng work dahil nga pinunta nila rito ay mag-aral at HINDI MAGHANAP NG TRABAHO... sana working visa na lang hinanap nyo at hindi pa kayo mapapasama... un lang walang nakahandang working visa sa basta-basta na lang papasok dito... working professional ang kailangan nila at dadaan ka sa butas ng karayom bago makapasok... sabi dito: Tier 4 visas are likewise not intended as a route to residency in the UK or British naturalization but it would provide qualified applicants the possibility of transferring to a work permit under Tier 2. “The fastest route available for Filipino health care workers, dentists, pharmacists, HRM graduates who want to reach the UK is through the Tier 4 student visa category, which requires the educational institution to accept the student,” said Geslani. (http://hello-philippines.com/articles/lifestyle-features/uk-requirements-for-filipino-job-applicants.html) pakibasa ung buong article sa blog na ito.

Sana lang ung school na tatanggap sa inyo ay bigating school, at maging maganda ang transcript of records mo at magiging daan para makakuha ka ng work here, tulad na lang ng nabasa kong news na isang pinoy ang nakapag work dito dahil maganda ang kanyang records sa school... hmmm mayaman po ung taong un at talagang na finance ng kanyang pamilya para makapag –aral dito at hindi tulad ng iba na ang intension ay makapunta dito at mag work na magiging daan para maging illegal aliens...

Hays, ang buhay nga naman!...

TAGUMPAY NG PINOY!

Filipino visionaries honored in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO - Building coalitions between community and education leaders for the last 15 years, Hydra Mendoza has championed improving academic standards in public schools.

As president of the San Francisco Board of Education, this Filipino has made her countrymen proud.

“The work that I’m doing in the city is really valuable because I can influence and I can put a bug in people’s ears and say, what about the Filipino community? Or say that’s not how we like to do things,” said Mendoza.

Lou Razon found her passion for design at a young age. When she decided to pursue a career doing what she loves in the US, she knew she was doing more than just following the American dream.

“I want to show the world that Fil-Ams are great designers and very talented,” Razon said.

These two women were among the many who were recognized for their contributions to the community as the City of San Francisco paid tribute to this year’s Filipino American milestones.

The US Senate recognized October as Filipino American History Month.

Those who strive to make a difference everyday however said, celebrating the Filipino is certainly not a one-shot deal.

“Marami kasing magandang dala ang Filipino kahit saan siya magpunta. In the attitude about work ang sipag ang resilience kahit anong challenge gagawin niya para sa kanyang pamilya. So ang gusto lang natin mapa-alala wag silang mahiya Pilipino sila,” said Kai Rodriguez of The Filipino Channel. -ABS CBN:

KAAWA-AWA NAMAN SI ATE...

Floods horror:Tributes to nurse who drowned in her basement

A HOSPICE worker desperately screamed for help for 10 minutes as flood water engulfed her basement flat.

Neighbours have described the final horrific moments of the Filipino-born Irish citizen Cecilia De Jesus, who became the second victim of the flooding that engulfed parts of the country on Monday night.

She died just hours after off-duty Garda Ciaran Jones was swept away while attempting to divert traffic away from a dangerous bridge in Co Wicklow.

The mother of one, who was in her 50s, had only recently moved into the basement flat on Parnell Road, Harold's Cross, Dublin, in anticipation of her husband's arrival from the Philippines.

He had been due to join her in December but instead was last night dealing with the shock of the freak accident that claimed his wife's life.

Flood waters engulfed the row of terraced Georgian houses around 11pm on Monday night, after the River Poddle burst its banks.

According to witnesses, water quickly made its way down an incline from Harold's Cross through a series of houses and streets before hitting Parnell Road.

"I was woken up by the sound of water pouring. There's a wall behind our buildings which collapsed and that rush of water came up to the houses," a neighbour, Dave Cullen, said.

Traumatised

Around the same time, the Grand Canal in front of the terrace also burst its banks.

"By the time I got to the front door, the water was up to my waist, the car, which I had left in front of my house, was covered, you couldn't see it anymore," Mr Cullen added.

A woman living above Mrs De Jesus's basement flat had been awoken by the sound of screaming.

"Help me, help me, help me, for maybe 10 minutes she was crying," a still traumatised Larisa Vingre told the Irish Independent.

A group of Pakistani men who live in the top floor of the house and firemen who arrived soon after, made desperate attempts to get into the basement, which by this stage was almost completely submerged.

Rescuers even tried to smash to smash a hole in the ceiling of the flat but were unable to help Mrs De Jesus.

It wasn't until the basement was pumped out yesterday that rescuers were able to retrieve her remains.

Friends have described the mother of one as a warm and jolly woman.

"She was a very nice person, she was helping her family. She had really good friends in Harold's Cross and was a loving and caring person," Rebecca Gasataya who worked with the victim in the mortology unit of Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross said.

"Her husband used to work here but went home to the Philippines after he lost his job as a carer."

Mr De Jesus had been due to move back to Ireland from the Philippines.

Last night the couple's student nurse son Michael Kevin De Jesus posted "Mamma, I miss you" on his mother's Facebook page.