Pinay nurse in New York honored by colleagues after dying of COVID-19: 'She was like my superhero'

Medical workers in New York City organized a heartfelt tribute for a 63-year-old Filipino nurse who died of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Maria Guia Cabillon, the head nurse of the Kings County Hospital, was fondly called "Mama Guia" by her colleagues.

After she passed away, they gathered together to honor her over 30 years of service. They sent blue and white balloons to the sky and several ambulances blew their horns.

"I didn't know and I did not understand how she touched so many lives but I am very, very happy and I'm very grateful for everybody," her daughter Fatima said in Darlene Cay's report for "24 Oras."

Despite the risk posed by COVID-19 to the elderly, Guia continued to do her sworn duty as a healer.

She taught her four children, who all followed her footsteps and pursued careers as healthcare workers, to always put their patients first.

"Knowing mom she will do everything in her power to help others," said Fatima, who is also a nurse in New York. "I've never seen fear in her eyes."

"She was like my superhero," she added. "The first time I saw her at work I was so amazed na she could do that."

Guia battled the virus for 26 days before finally succumbing to the disease on April 26.

"There are times that you know, when I look at her urn, I cry," Fatima said. "In the morning, I also cry. Whenever pray I always say, 'Good morning mom, I know you're happy.'"  —MGP, GMA News