What began as a dream of providing her family with a decent home has now become a reality for the children of an overseas Filipino worker who passed away five years ago.
Villar Group of Companies Chairman Manny Villar fulfilled the long-awaited promise of the late Baby Jane Allas to her family, surprising them with a house and lot at Camella Homes in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The Allas family had no idea that a new home was waiting for them when they were invited to Manila. They initially thought they were simply being taken on a tour of Villar City.
The surprise came after Villar learned about Baby Jane’s story—a story that, he said, reflects the lives of millions of Filipinos who leave their families behind to work abroad in hopes of giving their loved ones a better future.
Baby Jane worked as an overseas Filipino worker in Hong Kong but was dismissed from her job after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. She passed away in 2021.
Her family later pursued a legal case over what they said was her illegal dismissal. The court ruled in Baby Jane’s favor and ordered her former employer to pay the equivalent of around P2 million.
However, the family was unable to collect the award after the Pakistani employer’s family reportedly went into hiding.
Despite the setbacks, Baby Jane’s dream of securing a home for her children remained with her family.
Her eldest daughter, Rosemarie Allas, said they never expected Villar to be the one to fulfill their mother’s promise.
For Baby Jane’s mother, Annabel Allas, the moment was deeply emotional. Although her daughter was no longer there to see the dream come true, she said Baby Jane’s promise to her children had finally been fulfilled.
Villar said he was moved by Baby Jane’s story because it mirrors the sacrifices of countless Filipino migrant workers who go abroad to provide their families with a home of their own.
For the Allas family, the house is more than just a property. It is a lasting reminder of a mother’s sacrifice, a promise kept, and a dream that continued even after she was gone.
Baby Jane may not have lived to see her family finally have a home, but through the kindness of those who heard her story, the promise she made to her children now has a place they can call their own.
