Singapore—Lyn Ocampo Santos, the 49-year-old domestic helper from the Philippines who was killed on Saturday, December 7, when a driver lost control over his vehicle, was well-loved by the family she had worked for.
The 24-year-old driver of the car hit Ms Santos from behind while she walking in a covered walkway outside Farrer Road MRT station in Bukit Timah. She had come from Empress Road Market and Food Centre at around 6:00 in the morning and was on her way to have breakfast with her sister and their other friends, as had become their habit.
Ms Santos had been working in Singapore for 15 years while her husband, a bank employee, lived with their two sons, ages 18 and 7, back home in the Philippines.
Apparently the Filipina helper was well-loved by her employers, described by Shin Min Daily News as an elderly couple who have chosen to remain anonymous.
The Chinese-language newspaper interviewed the couple, who said that they wept when they learned about Ms Santos death from the police. They had been Ms Santos’ first employers in Singapore, and had considered her part of the family.
The husband is quoted as saying, “She would participate in all our festive celebrations and also go travelling with us. We went to Hong Kong last year, and we also planned to celebrate Christmas together this year.”
Furthermore, the couple said that they planned to sponsor Ms Santos’ sons school fees until their graduation.
The husband told The Straits Times (ST), “One word to best describe her is ‘wonderful’ – she’s very kind and very helpful, that’s why she had many friends.”
The couple will also be holding a church funeral for Ms Santos, coordinating with her friends for this, The New Paper (TNP) reports.
Ms Santos, a sociable woman who enjoyed preparing food for others, had been an active church volunteer and was well-liked by the people around her. According to her employer, who called her “irreplaceable,” she will be greatly missed.
Ms Santos had been intending to make a trip home in March for his graduation. According to Shin Min Daily, Ms Santos had been expecting that some members of her family would visit her in Singapore in 2020. One of her cousins told Shin Min Daily News that Ms Santos, the oldest among her siblings, had helped support her younger brothers and sisters.
Her husband will be bringing her remains home.
Workers at Empress Road Market and Food Centre have many fond memories of Ms Santos, whom they described as lively and outgoing, and expressed sorrow at her demise.
According to one stall owner, Mr Shahu, “She was friendly and easy-going. About five or six of them would gather every morning to have breakfast after their shopping, and she would greet everyone. When we found out about the accident, we were all heartbroken.”
Police are still investigating the circumstances that led to her death, and urged individuals who posses information regarding the accident to submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness or call the police hotline on 1800-255-0000. All information will be kept confidential. -/TISG