Around GMA

Article Inside Page

The daughter of the first Filipina to succumb from COVID-19 paid tribute to her mother's life and shed light on her COVID-19 case through a Facebook post.

In a heart-wrenching Facebook post, Liza Paqueo addressed friends and family about her mother's passing and how she wasn't able to be by her side in her final moments.

IN PHOTOS: "Community Quarantine" due to COVID-19 fuels memes, funny posts

She wrote, “A few hours ago, my beautiful mother, Nida, was cremated.

“She died alone without her loving family and friends around her. She was cremated, alone, without ceremony or tribute.

Liza also detailed her father's current battle with COVID-19, who is grieving the loss of his wife of 47 years.

“My father is alone as well. He is at a Manila hospital, in stable condition and in quarantine. But he is in deep grief over the loss of his wife of 47 years--the love of his life.

“My brothers and I are together here in the United States, but we are not allowed to visit my dad. We are not allowed to manage and advocate for him. It has been painful not just for my nuclear family but for all our extended relatives and friends who love my parents and cherished my mom.

Furthermore, Liza clarified rumors circulating about her parents,

“To compound the grief and pain, rumors and malicious misinformation have circulated on social media about my parents. This has all resulted in panic, violence, threats and stigmatization of our family and loved ones. Disclosure of private information has circulated as well.

She added, “My mother Nida Cortes Paqueo died shortly after her 67th birthday. She was healthy and fit. She went into the hospital on March 5 with localized pneumonia. A couple of days later, my father was admitted into the hospital.

“On March 11 local time (March 10 US time), my mother passed away. On March 11, we also received the news that she had COVID-19. My father also has tested positive for COVID-19.

“My brothers and I are here in the US. All family and friends who have been exposed to my parents are in isolation and quarantine.

“The Department of Health is now working with the hospitals and my father on epidemiological protocols around this infection.

Liza also revealed that her parents have not traveled domestically or internationally for several months.

“My parents are in Manila. In fact, they have not been to their hometown of Surigao City in several months. In addition, they have not traveled anywhere domestically or internationally. They have not been to Siargao, Singapore, Australia, etc.”

IN PHOTOS: Celebrities' advice to avoid catching coronavirus (COVID-19)

She also denied any rumor pertaining to how her parents caught the Coronavirus.

“No one knows how they contracted COVID-19, but Manila is a crowded, internationally mix city of 13 million people. Speculations as to where they got it from is unknown, and we are leaving that to the Department of Health.

She then encouraged anyone who has been in contact with her parents recently to get themselves tested or under self-quarantine.

“If you have been around my parents between February 29 (when my mother first reported symptoms) and her death on March 11, then we encourage you to self-isolate for 14 days. And if you have a fever and a cough, please report to the Department of Health. It is the responsible thing to do.

She added in conclusion to fight off the stigma against COVID-19, and to pray for her father's recovery “There is no stigma with this disease.”

“However, please do respect our family during this extremely painful time. We want to concentrate our energy and our prayers on our father's recovery (sadly from afar) and not on quelling damaging and dangerous rumors and threats."

Celebrities' reaction to "community quarantine" in Metro Manila during COVID-19 pandemic