As public support continues to pour in for a Mandaue City resident who risked her life to save her two pet dogs from a fire, the woman has warned the public against fake donation appeals circulating online in her name.
Ei Mei Lee Chiu-Maningo, whose rescue of her two Pomeranian dogs during a fire in Barangay Guizo went viral earlier this month, clarified that she is not soliciting any form of financial assistance.
She said the online bank accounts and social media pages being shared using her name are not connected to her.
“Wala gyud ko nangayo og tabang financially sa bisan kinsa unless it is given to us willingly and voluntarily,” Maningo said.
While expressing gratitude to those who extended help and support, she appealed to individuals exploiting the incident to stop.
“For those who helped, salamat. For those nga naay bad intentions, please stop,” she added.
Maningo appeared before the Mandaue City Council on December 15, accompanied by her dogs, Miyah and Kayen, during the council’s regular session.
The council formally commended her for her bravery after she rushed back into a burning structure to rescue her pets, citing her courage, presence of mind, and compassion.
Councilor Jennifer Del Mar, who authored the resolution, said Maningo chose love and compassion over fear, calling her actions selfless and worthy of recognition.
Aside from a plaque, Miyah and Kayen also received dog food and treats from the Island Rescue Organization (IRO).
Maningo said the recognition should not be used by others to take advantage of her experience.
She revealed that several social media accounts have falsely claimed she is asking for donations, using bank accounts that do not belong to her.
In an interview, Maningo admitted she remains overwhelmed by the attention and praise she has received.
She said it was only two days after the December 10 fire that she learned a video of the rescue had gone viral.
“Until now, wala pa gyud siya ni-sink in totally,” she said.
Maningo recalled the fear she felt during the incident, saying she could not fully explain how she managed to get down safely.
When the fire broke out, she said one of her dogs, Miyah, clung to her, while Kayen became frightened and stayed behind, prompting her to return to the living area.
“Mao to nga time nga akoa siyang gikuha balik ug akoa sa siya gi-am-aman para mo-duol nako,” she said.
She said she decided to drop her dogs one at a time only after people below assured her they would catch them.
Despite being advised at one point to leave the animals behind, she said she could not bring herself to do so.
“At first, ana man sila nga biyaan daw nako, pero dili gyud nako sila biyaan,” she said.
Both dogs were unharmed, based on veterinary checkups conducted two days after the incident.
Maningo also reminded fur parents to be responsible and compassionate, noting that pets cannot verbally express what they feel.
“We must be responsible enough and compassionate nga i-take care gyud nato ang atoang mga pets,” she said.
For Maningo, Miyah and Kayen are more than just pets—they are family. She currently lives alone, as her husband has been working as a seafarer for the past nine months.
“Ako ra gyud usa sa balay, ug sila duha ra akong kauban. Mao nga giisip gyud nako sila nga pamilya,” she said. (VCL)
