Paul Vincent Castelvi, a Filipino caregiver and expectant father, tragically lost his life in Israel amid the conflict with the Hamas militant group. Anticipating the birth of his first child later this year, Castelvi, described as the generous breadwinner of his family, will never get the chance to meet his newborn.
His parents, Nick and Lilina, shared their heartbreaking story, revealing that Paul Vincent was planning to visit the Philippines in December—the first time since he began working in Israel five years ago. The visit was eagerly awaited, as it would have allowed his parents to meet their grandchild.
“Siya lang talaga ang bumubuhay sa amin pati sa mga kapatid niya, mga pamangkin niya, at kung mabibigyan lang siya ng pagkakataon ang talagang hangad niya ay magkaroon kami ng buhay na magandang maganda kaya siya lumayo sa amin,” said Nick Castelvi.
Before his stint in Israel, Paul Vincent worked as a caregiver in Saudi Arabia for a decade. According to Lilina, he was in touch with his wife as they sought shelter from rocket attacks. Unfortunately, their last conversation was disrupted by a knock on the bomb shelter.
“Yun nga po yung huli nilang pag-uusap, yun pong sinabi niya nandoon na po sila sa ‘bomb shield.’ Tapos daw po may kumakatok dun sa bomb shield na yun… 9:30 po ng umaga, yun po ang huling-huli nilang pag-uusap,” shared Lilina.
On Tuesday, Paul Vincent’s wife informed his family in San Fernando, Pampanga, of his tragic demise.
“Patawarin po ako ng Diyos, sabi ko, ‘Bakit ganoon, bakit mo siya kinuha sa akin,'” expressed Lilina.
The grieving parents are appealing to the government to repatriate Paul Vincent’s remains. Nick added, “Panawagan ko po sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno kung pwede sa lalong madaling panahon, maiuwi ang bangkay ng anak namin, para makasama namin kahit ilang araw lang at saka kasama na po yung asawa niya.”
Regrettably, Paul Vincent is not the sole Filipino caregiver to lose their life in Israel during the conflict. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reports approximately 30,000 Filipinos, primarily working as caregivers, in Israel, with 137 in the Hamas-ruled enclave of Gaza. In response to the escalating crisis, the DFA raised Crisis Alert 3 over Gaza and called for the voluntary repatriation of Filipinos.
