Chin Chin: Voice of God saved me from inferno

It was the "voice of God" that saved actress and environmentalist Chin Chin Gutierrez and her ailing mother from being burned to death when a fire gutted their house before dawn on Dec. 20.

Still recuperating from second-degree burns she sustained while saving her mother from the fire, Gutierrez broke down in tears as she narrated her ordeal at a press conference at The Medical City in Ortigas, Pasig City yesterday.

"Alas tres ng umaga may gumising sa akin, umalis na kayo ayan na ang apoy," Gutierrez, who was still on a wheelchair, told reporters referring to a voice that woke her at three in the morning telling her to leave, the fire’s here.

Gutierrez said they spent Christmas and New Year at the hospital. 

"This is my first home," she said.

Gutierrez’s manager Angie Ureta also requested the press not to ask too personal questions about the fire as Gutierrez is still undergoing emotional healing.

Ureta said the fire started near Gutierrez’s room at the second floor of their house in Quezon City, allowing her to immediately notice the blaze and come to the rescue of her mother who was sleeping in another room on the first floor.

As of yesterday, Cecil Gutierrez, the actress’ mother, was still in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.

The older Gutierrez, who is in her sixties, is suffering from diabetes, as well as lung and kidney ailments.

"My heart breaks for my mother, I know she wants to do everything but she cannot," Gutierrez said.

Ureta said aside from the second-degree burns, Gutierrez also sustained an injury on her left heel because of jumping, while her back was still being observed.

"More than anything else, we glorified God, I know God has big plans for us," Gutierrez said, adding God is her source of strength.

Ureta, however, did not say how long Gutierrez and her mother will have to stay in hospital.

Ureta also said that they were already looking for a possible house where the family can transfer.

She said the house ideally should be near the hospital so it will be convenient for the family to bring Gutierrez’s mother for regular dialysis.

Gutierrez, a member of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), was also saddened by the death of her five dogs.

Ureta said Gutierrez’s fingertips down to her hands were heavily bandaged until Tuesday afternoon.