Hermie Altana, abandoned and left in Pasig River
Hermie Altana, abandoned and left in Pasig River
Hermie Altana, 57 years old, was so weak when she was found by a concerned citizen at the riverside of Pasig.
For over three (3) years, Hermie Altana lives on her own in Pasig river with no one helping her at all--even her own siblings didn't bother to look after her. Hermie put together some pieces of cloth and attached some sticks which serves as her shelter against the heat of the sun and extreme cold temperature at night.
Imagine how difficult her situation was. DiversityHuman.com, however, is pleased to hear that a concerned and full-hearted midwife found Hermie Altana and personally helped her out of the miserable place.
"Nakataklob lang siya. Nasa tabing ilog. Basa na siya. Iyong mga kamay niya baluktot. May bed sores na siya. Talagang nakakaawa,” said Chat.
Chat Flores rented a house for her in Barangay Pineda. Chat and Hermie's new neighbors joined together in helping the old, weak and helpless woman.
Hermie Altana is grateful with the aid she received from Chat Floes and to the people in her community. But what she is longing for, is the help of her very own siblings.
Mrs. Altana was abandoned by her children.
The Story of Hermie Altana
1983 marked the failed marriage of Hermie Altana. However, she fell in love to several men and got pregnant to each of them. In 1986, she decided to work as a domestic helper in Dubai to support the needs of her children. Before she left the country, all of her four children were under the custody of her parents.
Not too long, the kids missed Hermie and wanted to feel the love of their mother. Unfortunately, Altana's children discovered a painful incident too--Hermie gave more support to her brothers and sisters compared to what she gave to her siblings.
“Siguro lumalaki kami, nakikita namin, parang selos narin, nagbibigay sya dun sa kabila, lahat, pati bagahe nya, lahat pinapadala nya dun, pera, lahat. Siguro selos narin, ganun, kasi mas gusto nya iyon kaysa dito sa amin,” said Lani, Altana's daughter.
After 10 years Hermie was able to buy an apartment and decided to return to the country. Instead of having a closer relationship with her children, things went worse when all of them were living under one roof.
“Hindi kami magkasundo. Hindi naman niya kami pinalaki e,” said Lani.
They also learned that their mother was sick when she arrived from Dubai.
“Masakit ‘yung mga buto ko. Sa gabi hindi ako nakakatulog. Kapag wala akong iniinom na pain reliever, masakit. Meron akong gout at rheumatism. Kumukulubot mga buto ko. Sabi ng duktor, hindi na gagaling, daanin ko na lang raw sa mga gamot," said Hermie Altana.
Due to her illness, Hermie sold everything including her most valuable and sentimental asset, her apartment.
A precious mother, abandoned by her own blood
Knowing that all of her siblings have their own families to deal with, Hermie Altana opted to stay in the house of her brothers and sisters. After seven years, she was also advised to leave. Feeling helpless, she decided to settle in the riverbank of Pasig. Years passed, no single visit was made by her siblings.
"Pakiramdam ko di nila ako mahal. Para akong buhay na patay,” said Hermie.
“Hindi nila ako pinupuntahan. Hiling ko, kahit isang beses, isang araw, meron man lang pumunta,” she added.
Hermie's only wish is to be with her siblings. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) set up a small party for Hermie Altana. She was very happy that day eventhough out of her six siblings, only one came into the party--Pepe, her oldest son.
“Hingi ako ng tawad sa kanila sa mga nagawa ko. Mahal ko kayo,” said Hermie to Pepe. But she said that she could not blame them. Hermie also admitted that she was unable to do her part as their mother.
According to the DSWD, “Ayon sa family code, dapat alagaan ng anak ang magulang lalo kapag matanda na at may sakit. Pero hindi sila dapat obligahin. Kung walang kapasidad ang mga anak, pwede rin siyang ilagay sa shelter.”
Pepe wants to take care of her mother but he doesn't have the full capability to make it.
For the meantime, Chat Flores will continue to rent the small place in Pineda for Hermie Altana.
DiversityHuman.com will commit a little assistance to her. So, if anyone of you would like to help Hermie Pineda, please contact DSWD at (632)931-81-01 to 07.
Note: The original story of Hermie Altana was written in Filipino and it was featured on ABS-CBN news. We apologize if we have a poor translation.
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