CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - “Abi nako mamatay nako.” (“I thought I was going to die”)
Those were the words of 70-year-old Agapita Dupalco as she recalled the terrifying moments when a fire swept through homes in Gaabucayan Extension, Barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro on Sunday afternoon.
The blaze broke out around 3 p.m., forcing families to flee as flames rapidly spread through closely packed houses.
For Dupalco, escaping was especially difficult because she is still recovering from a stroke and has limited mobility.
She said her daughter, Milagros Gelaga, rushed to help her evacuate after noticing the fire was getting closer to their home.
Despite the panic, Dupalco said one companion never left her side—the family dog, Baste.
During the evacuation, Baste stayed beside her and even slept beneath her while they sought temporary shelter.
Dupalco admitted she became frightened and overwhelmed as the fire intensified, but her daughter kept reassuring her that their safety mattered more than the house they might lose.
“She told me the important thing was that we all got out alive,” Dupalco shared.
As they escaped the fire, Dupalco said she kept encouraging her grandchildren to pray for protection and strength.
Now staying in a temporary shelter with other displaced families, Dupalco said she is grateful that no one in her family was hurt.
She also thanked government responders and donors who immediately provided food, clothes, and other essentials to evacuees.
According to Dupalco, relief workers have been serving meals daily while community members and her daughter’s co-workers from a hospital also donated supplies to help them recover.
“I always pray to the Lord to give us peace and take care of us,” she said. “I trust Him because He allowed this to happen for a reason, and He will also provide what we need.”
Like many families displaced by the fire, Dupalco now hopes they can rebuild their home once conditions improve and recovery efforts move forward.
