Benguet netizens question timing of 'Adivay' in HK amid deadly blaze

BAGUIO CITY — While many Filipinos have been celebrating the heroic act of a first-time domestic helper who saved an infant during the deadly fire in Hong Kong, concern is also growing for her health condition as she remains under intensive medical care. At the same time, some Benguet residents have expressed disappointment on social media over what they describe as the “insensitivity” of their fellow Benguet natives who pushed through with the annual “Adivay” celebration in Hong Kong despite the recent tragedy.

The Filipina being hailed as a hero is Rhodora Alcaraz, a newly arrived domestic worker in Hong Kong. Instead of fleeing during the 26 November blaze at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court, she reportedly embraced the three-month-old baby under her care, shielding the child with her body from flames and smoke and wrapping the infant in a wet blanket until firefighters arrived.

As of 30 November, the Hong Kong fire has claimed 146 lives, with many more injured and others still missing. Hong Kong authorities declared three days of mourning beginning 29 November.

“Adivay” — which marks Benguet’s founding anniversary — is celebrated every November and is traditionally held by Benguet communities abroad. On 30 November, Benguet residents in Hong Kong, along with other Cordillerans, provincial officials and social media personalities who flew from the Philippines, proceeded with the 2025 celebration.

A widely shared social media page criticized the timing of the event, stating: “Hong Kong is grieving. Families are still reeling from the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire, one of the city’s most tragic residential blazes in recent memory. Lives were lost, dozens were injured, and thirteen Filipinos remain missing, their families in the Philippines praying for news that has not come.”

The post further noted that in times of disaster, societies usually pause public festivities, unite in grief and choose compassion over celebration.

Dozens of Benguet netizens echoed the sentiment in the comments section, saying the celebration should have been postponed or converted into a prayer activity to show solidarity with grief-stricken families. Others suggested that the resources spent on the event could have been donated instead.

One commenter wrote that “culture is not the problem, insensitivity is,” noting that “Adivay will always be a pillar of Benguet culture. But culture is not just about dance and costume; it is about knowing when to celebrate and when to stand still, recognizing when a community needs space, silence, and solidarity.”

A netizen also tagged the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), emphasizing cultural awareness and empathy during a period of local mourning. “Maybe, we can all be a little aware and sensitive to each other's experiences during this particular period of local mourning,” the post read.