She Never Let Go”: Filipina Nanny Protects 3-Month-Old Through Hours of Smoke and Chaos

Rhodora Alcaraz, a 28-year-old Filipina nanny, had only just arrived in Hong Kong when her bravery was put to the ultimate test. On her second day on the job in Tai Po, a deadly fire broke out in the apartment building where she was caring for her employer’s three-month-old baby. Instead of running for her own safety, Rhodora chose to protect the child. She held the baby tightly against her chest, shielding the infant from the thick smoke, and stayed beside the baby’s grandmother as chaos spread around them.

For hours, she remained calm and focused, doing everything she could to keep the baby alive until firefighters finally reached them. When rescuers arrived, Rhodora was still clutching the infant, refusing to let go. Her courage highlighted the often-unseen sacrifices made by migrant domestic workers. That day, Rhodora didn’t just do her job — she became a hero.