Cebu City dad offers scholarship to girl who saved brother from fire

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba, who will vie for a seat at the provincial board this March, yesterday visited nine-year-old Rhea Tisoy in barangay Bulacao in Talisay City to offer her scholarship in a private school.

The girl, who is in Grade 3 at the Bulacao Elementary School, saved her one-year-old brother from perishing in a fire last January 8.

In an interview with The Freeman, Alcoseba said he visited the girl’s home to tell her family of his offer for scholarship for the girl at the Southwestern University-South Campus from elementary to college.

“If maayo pa atong lawas ug naa pa ta, I am offering her a scholarship up to college,” Alcoseba said.

The fire that broke out last Monday night also killed Rhea Tisoy’s 3-year-old cousin, Mark Lester, who was trapped inside the house.

Mark Lester’s burnt remains were later recovered from the rubble of his grandfather’s house in sitio Hawod in barangay Bulacao.

His twin brother Mark Anthony was earlier saved by a family member who dragged out of the room where the fire was believed to have started.

Alcoseba said he gave money to the family of Mark Anthony.

The other fire victims also received rice and canned goods from Alcoseba.

Felipa “Beth” Solana, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, said the victims will undergo psycho-social debriefing to help them recover from the trauma.

Solana said special attention would be given to 3-year-old Mark Anthony.

The city will also look into the needs of Rhea Tisoy.

The Talisay city government distributed food and relief goods to the fire victims.

The fire, which broke out at 11:10 p.m., lasted 15 minutes and destroyed five houses. Damage to property was estimated at P175,000.  (FREEMAN)