Filipino Loreto Mijares, Local Hero in Macau

Consul General Lilybeth R. Deapera (left) hands a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Loreto Mijares, Jr. (center) who is accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Jhunnafe Mijares.

07 September 2017 Macau SAR – Consul General Lilybeth R. Deapera met with Mr. Loreto Mijares, Jr. to express the Filipino community’s appreciation of his bravery at the height of Typhoon Hato’s rampage in Macau on August 23. Typhoon Hato, a category T10 typhoon, was one of the strongest typhoons ever to hit Macau.

Mr. Mijares, a room attendant in a newly-opened hotel, rescued three elderly locals he had seen floundering in the flood waters near his home in Barra, Macau. His wife, Ms. Jhunnafe Mijares, recorded his heroic effort and uploaded videos to her Facebook account never expecting the video to become viral overnight.

Mr. Mijares admitted that though he lacked swimming skills, his concern for the elderly residents pushed him to overcome his fear of the rising waters. Armed only with a makeshift buoy and some rope, he was able to lead the elders to the roof of a minivan where they weathered the strong winds until waters receded. Mr. Mijares remains humble and openly expressed his appreciation for bystanders who had extended help through throwing him a life jacket and a piece of rope from a nearby balcony when the waters continually rose. He expressed no regrets but admitted that he only realized the danger he faced after he and the three locals reached the safety of a nearby apartment.

Consul General Lilybeth R. Deapera, expressed her admiration for his brave act and thanked Mr. Mijares for encouraging the spirit of bayanihan amidst the danger and destruction wrought by the storm. She presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Filipino community.

For more information, visit www.macaupcg.dfa.gov.ph. END