OFW mother of volunteer who died in papal Mass accident gets employer's help to return from HK

The mother of a volunteer who died in an accident after Pope Francis' Mass in Tacloban City Saturday is getting support from her Hong Kong employer to return to the Philippines.

Judy Padasas is still pained over the accident that took the life of her daughter Kristel, GMA Hong Kong stringer Corazon Cañete reported.

Mrs. Padasas said she had been working in Hong Kong since 1991 to help her family make ends meet. Kristel is her only daughter.

On Saturday, Kristel, 27, died after a sound box fell on her in Tacloban City, shortly after Pope Francis led a Mass there.

The Pope, who went to Leyte to personally meet with survivors of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) on Sunday asked youths at the University of Santo Tomas for a moment of silent prayer for Kristel.He also met with Kristel's father at the Nunciature in Manila.

For now, Judy said she is busy arranging her return to Manila, with her employer helping her book a flight home. She said she wants to get home soonest to see her daughter.

On the other hand, she said she is no longer sure if she will return to Hong Kong to work, because Kristel was her sole reason for working there.

Meanwhile, Kristel's organization, Catholic Relief Services, mourned her death as well.

"Kristel was based in Samar and worked on a recovery project for typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). Her dedication to the people affected by the typhoon extended beyond her official work with CRS. She traveled a great distance to volunteer at today’s papal mass and to remember the victims of Typhoon Haiyan," it said in a statement.

"CRS Philippines mourns her loss along with her family, friends and loved ones. Her colleagues remember her as someone who loved to laugh and who was always ready to assist outside her normal duties.  She found great joy in being able to contribute to the recovery effort by working directly with communities and families. Our deepest prayers are with Kristel’s family and loved ones," it added. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

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