Pinay caregiver praised for protecting 95-year-old employer from Hamas attack

Praises poured in for a Filipina caregiver who paid off a Hamas militant to save herself and her nonagenarian employee during the bloody October 7 attack in Israel.

In JP Soriano’s report on "24 Oras" Friday, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss recognized the story of the heroism of 31-year-old Camille Jesalva.

"This is an amazing story of heroism. I think this is something that we really would... it's important for us to recognize and to really appreciate and to say thank you to her," said Fluss.

To save herself and her employer from danger, Jesalva gave away her smartphone and the money she saved for a trip to the Philippines to an armed militant who entered their residence in a kibbutz in Nirim.

"Pumasok sila from main door, kumuha sila ng malaking malaking bato then pinukpok po sa main door. Ginugulo po yung bahay as in gulo, ewan ko ano'ng hinahanap nila tapos tabi lang po ng shelter, nanginig na po ako dun," she said.

(They entered through the main door and ransacked the house. I am not sure what they were looking for.)

The Filipina said she and her 95-year-old employer, Nitza Hefetz, sought cover in their bomb shelter but its lock was damaged. She tried to close the door but to no avail. Shortly, one of the militants entered the room.

Thinking she would not survive, Jesalva said she bid goodbye to her mother in Nueva Ecija and asked for a picture of her seven-year-old son.

"Ma, pa-send na po ng picture ng anak ko. Hindi na ako makaka survive. Parang gusto ko makita yung anak ko bago ko i-close yung mata ko at mamatay na ako," she said.

(I asked my mom to send my son’s picture because I thought I would not survive. I want to see him before I die.)

Upon coming face-to-face with the militant, she fished out her wallet and told him to take away the money she saved for a trip to the Philippines worth NIS 1,500 ($370).

The Hamas group member left after taking her smartphone and cash. After he left, the women held on to each other until help arrived.

"Ang daming barilan ang daming rockets sa paligid namin, natumba kami nadapa kami pero we are safe," an emotional Jesalva said.

(There were a lot of gunfights and airstrikes but we are safe.)

"I feel na yung Diyos, may nag-guide sa aming dalawa. May naga-guide sa amin na kakaiba yun ang naisip ko hindi ko talaga akalain na mabubuhay pa ako. We came here sa Holy Land Jerusalem. I feel so blessed," she added.

(I felt God as he was guiding us. I never thought I would live. I feel so blessed.)

Meanwhile, netizens lauded Jesalva’s bravery including American actor and producer James Woods.

"She says that’s her prize and that’s her gift and she said you are very good and you are wonderful," Hefetz said in Hebrew, describing Jesalva.