Portuguese group helps OFW couple in Macau pay off hospital bill

A Portuguese group helped a Filipino couple in Macau pay off their medical expenses after the wife experienced complications while giving birth.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," Glenda and Jaymar Teope worried about their baby, who had to be monitored as his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck.

The child was safely delivered, but the couple's hospital bill reached over P250,000. 

"Sobrang mabigat siya," said Jaymar, who works at a hotel as a room attendant. "Kami dito sa Macau, naapektuhan talaga ng pandemic. Napunta ako sa NPL, No Paid Leave, which is wala akong trabaho, wala akong pasok."

As Glenda and Jaymar thought about how to settle the bill, a Portuguese group who does not wish to be named suddenly came to their rescue and gave them the perfect gift this Christmas.

"Para kaming nanalo sa isang game show na, 'Congratulations, 'yung bill n'yo fully paid na," Jaymar said. "Na-shock na lang kami na mga 10 seconds kaming hindi nakapagsalita. 'Yung luha namin tumuloy-tuloy na lang po bumagsak."

Aside from paying off their expenses, the group also gave them clothes and diapers for their child, who they decided to name Miguel.

Glenda said it was thanks to one of her friends, who shared their situation to her Portuguese employer. The employer happened to have a group who helps babies.

"Sana i-bless sila ng ating Panginoon para mas marami pa silang matulungan kasi actually narinig namin na hindi lang kami 'yung tinutulungan nila," Jaymar said. "Meron pa silang ibang tinutulungan na mga nanganak dito."

—MGP, GMA News