It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Auntie Aida Tonquillo, who left us on August 1st at the age of 58 due to complications from a severe blood infection, high blood pressure, and kidney failure.

Auntie Aida was a loving mother, a kind soul, and the strength of her small family. Her sudden passing has left her two children devastated—not only emotionally, but also financially. Both of her children are young parents, each raising toddlers between the ages of 3 to 5 years old. They live in extreme poverty on the island in Caibiran Leyte, Philippines, and rely only on fishing in the sea to survive, selling whatever little they catch to neighbors just to afford food for the day. Sadly, neither of them finished high school, and they have no stable work or reliable income.

As a family member here in the United States, I did everything I could to help. I supported them financially through her hospitalization and medication. If I had the means, I would carry the whole burden without asking for help—but the reality is, I live paycheck to paycheck myself. There’s only so much I can give, and right now, I’m humbly reaching out for help.

We are asking for your kindness and compassion to help us raise funds for:

• Auntie Aida’s funeral and burial expenses

• Basic support for her children and their young kids

• Emergency daily needs as they face life without their mother

Any donation, no matter the amount, will go a long way in helping this grieving family get through this painful time.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your love, prayers, and support. Auntie Aida will never be forgotten, and your kindness will bring light to those she left behind.

Rest in peace, Auntie Aida.

Donations can be made directly on this GoFundMe page.