Probe Filipino teachers death in Maryland

November 28, 2007  --  Got something to say?
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Irenea Conato ApaoIrenea Conato Apao, a 41-year-old Filipina teacher, died under unexplained circumstances Nov. 7 in Maryland. Migrant Heritage Commission, which is helping raise funds to send her body home, said it will investigate the cause of her death.
Irene, as called by friends, hailed from Basak, Cebu City Philippines; she was married (but separated) and had two children: daughter Ivy (18 yrs old) and son Paulo (10 yrs.old). The two children have been under the care of Irenes older sister Tita Conato in Cebu City since Irene left the Philippines. Irene finished her Masters Degree in Education at De La Salle University in Manila under the Philippine Governments Scholarship Program and had been teaching in the Philippines for nine (9) years prior to her U.S. stint. Representing Region 7, she was one of the very prestigious Top Ten Selected Educators Awardee (from among the educators all over the Philippines) conferred by the Philippine Department of Education.

Irene arrived in the U.S. on 26 August 2005 and started teaching Physics and Chemistry for 11^th and 12th graders of the Riverbend High School in Spotsylvania, Virginia. She later transferred to Baltimore, Maryland in 2006 and taught Math and Physics to the 9th to 12th graders at the Baltimore City Talented Development School. Among her many hobby talents was singing which made her one of the avid participants of the Filipino Choir at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore City.

She was an active member of the Filipino-American Association of Stafford, Virginia (FASSV) and the Mabuhay Inc., and a staunch/ dependable volunteer of the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC). She had participated in various community activities such as Migrant Heritage Commissions (MHC) Peoples Ball, Asian Festival, other MHC programs and supported festivities, FAASV projects and Mabuhay Incs events.

On the side, she engaged in a boutique business modeling and marketing trendy and classic line of clothing and accessories. She had been known to be a gregarious, jovial and multi-talented person. Considering her great passion for her teaching profession, she maintained excellent quality of her academic craft, exuded much warmth and charm that won the respect and love of her students and friends.

Irene had no immediate family in the U.S. and had lived alone until her demise. Her friends, co-teachers, the Filipino Teachers Groups in Spotsylvania (Virginia), in Baltimore (Maryland) and in New Jersey/ New York, Mabuhay Inc., Fil-Am Assn of Stafford, Virginia (FAASV) and the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) are joining efforts to raise funds for her memorial services and shipment of her remains back home.

Any financial assistance will be greatly appreciated by Irenes family in the Philippines since she died bereft of funds. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please make checks payable to any of the following non-profit tax exempt entities: 1)Migrant Heritage Commission, Inc. (Memo: Donation to the late Irenea C. Apao) Mosby Tower, 10560 Main St., Suite 519, Fairfax, VA 20910 (FEIN : 56-2618684) 2) Mabuhay, Inc.* Memo: Donation to the late Irenea C. Apao) 7912 Orchard Park Way , Bowie, MD 20715 All donations will be for the funeral expenses of Irene in the U.S. and in the Philippines and for the educational funds for her children.

A special mass was offered for her on Sunday, 11 November 2007 at St. Rose of Lima Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Another Holy mass offering is scheduled on Sunday November 18 at 5 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel at 805 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring, Maryland. Mass/Prayers are also being scheduled for her by friends, co-teachers and various Fil-Am organizations.

The Migrant Heritage Commission said it will pursue investigation of Irenes untimely demise.
Viewing and memorial services at Rendon Hale Funeral Home in Lanham, Maryland on Nov. 16 and 17.


Posted by News Team | Filed Under Articles/Stories 

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