KYIV — In a city caught between air raid sirens and silence, a few Filipinos have chosen to stay — not because it’s safe, but because of love.
As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues, these Filipinos remain in Kyiv, standing beside their Ukrainian partners, offering strength and comfort in the middle of uncertainty. For them, every day is a balance between fear and faith — a quiet act of courage in a world turned upside down.
In September 2025, a GMA Integrated News team visited Kyiv on a press tour to document their stories — at a time when explosions still echoed from Ukraine’s eastern border. What they found were stories not of despair, but of resilience.
Filipinas Who Chose to Stay
Among them are Eliza Dane Almonte, Navella Diane Botenco, and Rhea Rose Ramos — three Filipinas who made the brave decision to remain in Kyiv with their Ukrainian husbands despite the ongoing war.
Every Sunday, the trio meets at Maidan Independence Square, the symbolic heart of Kyiv. They gather not just to share coffee or stories, but to remind one another that they’re not alone.
They talk, laugh, pray — and hope.
For Eliza, Navella, and Rhea, these small Sunday moments have become their sanctuary — proof that even in times of war, friendship and faith can bring light to the darkest places.
As air raid sirens wail in the distance, life goes on for these Filipinos. They continue to hold on — to love, to hope, and to the belief that peace will come again.
