After living in streets for 15 years, mom reunites with family in Pangasinan

After being homeless for 15 years, a 54-year-old mom was reunited with her children in Pangasinan.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s “24 Oras” report, Tuesday, Dina Estrada came to Manila in 2006. Since then, she had lost communication with her loved ones, including her two children.

In the city, she lived in the streets and was forced to work as a garbage collector to survive.

“Yung kumupkop sa ’kin, ’pag naka-[ipon], kukunin niya lahat. Namumulot pa kami ng basura. ’Yung mga panis do’n na pagkain, ’yon ang kakainin namin,” Dina said.

[The one who adopted me, when I have earnings, they get everything. We collect garbage. The spoiled food, that’s what we eat.]

Dina said she had lost hope that she would be with her family again and just hoped she would be infected with COVID-19.

“Parang wala na akong pag-asa. Sabi ko kung makapitan ako ng COVID-19, sana mamatay na lang ako. Gano’n ang iniisip ko lagi. Nando’n ako sa kalsada lagi,” she said.

[I lost hope. I thought if I’d get infected with COVID-19, I hoped I die. That’s how I thought all the time. I was always in the streets.]

Her daughter Mejica Estrada, however, never lost hope and didn’t stop looking for her mom.

“Ang anak niya po na nagngangalang Mejica Estrada, humingi ng tulong kay Mayor Bataoil kaya po ito ay nakarating sa aming kaalaman,” said Lt. Riza Soledad of the Women’s Desk Muntinlupa Office.

[Her daughter named Mejica Estrada asked help from Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil, that’s why it was brought to our attention.]

With the help of the Muntinlupa Police, Dina was finally brought back home to Pangasinan.

She arrived in the province on Sept. 18 and saw Mejica again, but only from afar because of the health protocols.

After finishing her quarantine on Monday, Dina was finally able to go home with her daughter.

The mother and daughter reunion was filled with tears of joy and warm hugs.

Even if they’re already reunited, however, Mejica couldn’t help but feel bad for the pain her mom went through.

“Awang-awa ako sa kanya. Masakit sa damdamin na gano’n yung ginawa sa kanya,” said Mejica.

[I feel bad for her. It’s painful to know that’s how she was treated.]

The daughter is now seeking help for the treatment of her mom, who has cataract.

“Kung may mga mabubuting puso po na tumulong sa’min, kasi talagang ngayon, gipit na gipit kami. Hirap na hirap po kami,” she said.

[If there are kind hearts out there willing to help us, because right now, we’re really short on money. We’re really having a hard time.”]

Despite the challenges, their only wish is to stay together forever.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation, meanwhile, has reached out to the Estrada family for Dina’s treatment. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News