JERALDINE Castillano, 12, was on the stairs when she tried to grab the arms of her three-year-old sister Mary Julian, who was on the second floor of their burning house in Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City last Tuesday night.
However, Jeraldine lost her balance and fell.
“Naglisod na ko og saka (hagdanan) kay dako na kaayo ang kayo (I could not go back up the stairs to save her because of the flames),” she said.
The Lapu-Lapu City Fire District received the fire alarm in a residential area in Sitio Cabatuan around 9 p.m.
SFO1 Zener Seno said that only the second floor of the house, which is owned by Dante Castillano Sr., was affected by the blaze.
The fire was already out when firefighters arrived. Neighbors had doused the flames with pails of water.
Four Castillano siblings suffered burns in their arms and other parts of their bodies, including Jeraldin, seven-year-old Mary Jeraline, four-year-old Dante Jr. and two-year-old Junril.
Their brother Jeffrey, 11, and their four-month old sibling were safe.
Jeraldine, the eldest, brought them downstairs, while their father got them outside.
Damage was pegged at P2,000.
Dante would not say a word while reporters tried to interview him as he searched for Mary Julian’s birth certificate so her burial could be processed.
Dante, a construction worker, lost his 32-year-old wife while she was giving birth to their youngest child last January.
Mayor Paz Radaza said she plans give a commendation to Jeraldine for her heroic deed.
The mayor also instructed the City Health Office to treat the children’s wounds.
Radaza said the City will also provide burial assistance to the family.