She came to Singapore to care for a family. Now they’re doing everything they can to care for her.

Gina, 42, has been a foreign domestic worker with the Longos family since 2019. For the past six years, she has lovingly cared for their three children—now aged 6, 8, and 11—and supported Julie, her employer, who is a stroke survivor.

But in January 2025, Gina suddenly found herself the one in need of urgent care.

A Sudden, Life-Threatening Emergency

Just weeks after returning from a long-awaited visit to her family in the Philippines, Gina began to experience sharp abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. Julie rushed her to the emergency department, where doctors discovered that Gina was pregnant—and that the pregnancy was ectopic. Her fallopian tube had ruptured, and Gina was losing blood fast.

She was rushed into emergency surgery that same day. Gina lost 1.5 litres of blood and required three bags of transfusion. Tragically, she lost the baby. While the pregnancy had come as a surprise, it was Gina’s second miscarriage.

“I sometimes dream of my baby,” she shared. The grief still lingers.

Gina was placed on hospitalisation leave until 17 February to recover. When the bill arrived, it totalled $8,598.32—a devastating amount for the Longos family, who are already struggling to stay afloat.

A Family That Stands By Each Other

Gina is more than a helper to the Longos—she is family. Julie and Lloyd, along with their children, stepped up to ensure Gina had the time and space to recover properly. Julie took over the cooking and made sure Gina had iron-rich meals to restore her strength. Lloyd and their eldest daughter handled the groceries. Even now, Gina continues to be on light duties and rests in the afternoon to help her body heal.

“We prioritise Gina’s health,” Julie says. “Gina has been with us at the most crucial times. She’s like family to us.”

Julie herself has not been able to work since suffering a stroke in 2020. Lloyd is the family’s sole breadwinner, serving as a pastor. On his income alone, the family is struggling to stay on top of Gina’s medical bills—especially after Julie’s mother was recently hospitalised as well.

Though they’ve managed to pay for Gina’s follow-up care and supplements so far, the outstanding hospital bill is beyond what they can afford. As a Work Permit holder, Gina is not entitled to medical subsidies, and her insurance does not cover pregnancy-related complications.

Still, Gina remains full of quiet strength. “I’m still hoping that one day I can overcome all of this,” she says.

Why Gina Stays

Gina sends home $500 a month to support her family. She earns $750 each month and lives frugally. While she dreams of returning to the Philippines one day to be with her family, she’s committed to completing her contract and staying with the Longos family until their children are older and more independent.

“Julie is very kind. They treat me like family,” Gina says. 

The Longos agree wholeheartedly.  “Our kids miss her when she’s away. The family is not complete without yayay,” Julie says.

Why Your Help Matters

Ray of Hope is raising $10,698.32 to cover Gina’s emergency and ongoing recovery costs:

• – Outstanding hospital bill: $8,598.32
• – 6 months of supplements (for blood loss and healing): $130/month = $780
• – 6 months of follow-up appointment fees: $220/month = $1,320

Your donation would lift an enormous weight off the family’s shoulders and give Gina the peace of mind she needs to heal—physically and emotionally.

Personal Appeal from the Longos Family

We rushed our beloved helper, Gina Bontigao, to the emergency room at NUH after she experienced severe and sudden stomach pain that she could not breathe. What we initially feared to be a simple stomach issue turned out to be a life-threatening ruptured ectopic pregnancy, which required immediate emergency surgery to save her life.

The operation lasted nearly 3 hours. Gina lost a significant amount of blood during the procedure and had to receive three bags of blood transfusion. Thanks to the swift response of the medical team, Gina survived this terrifying ordeal — but the journey to full recovery is far from over.

Gina has been a treasured part of our family for over 5 years, helping us raise our three children with warmth, love, and tireless dedication. She is not just our helper; she is family.

Beyond our home, Gina’s heart of service extends to many others. She is an active volunteer of our church, regularly attending connection groups and participating in mission trips to Indonesia, where she supports orphanages and uplifts underprivileged children. She has always lived a life of purpose, compassion, and faith.

We are appealing to your kindness and generosity to help us raise funds to cover Gina’s surgery costs, hospitalization, and post-operative care.

Thank you for your support and for keeping Gina in your thoughts and prayers.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Longos Family