At 8 in the morning on February 28, Irene Dela Cruz Mohtaseb and her two children were awakened by a text blast from the Israeli government: Take shelter because the missiles are coming.
"Nagising na lang kami sa warning ng telepono na kailangan na namin pumunta within ilang, minuto kailangan na namin pumunta ng shelter. Kasi, may parating na daw, na ano na missiles," the 48-year-old Filipino caregiver said.
Irene said the text alerts serve as vital warnings when to take shelter from the airstrikes as Israel and the US launched a preemptive strike against Iran.
"Ang guide lang namin kasi ngayon sa ano yung magse-send sa amin sa telepono ng within ilang minuto may parating sa aming missiles ganun. Doon kami umaano, doon kami sumusunod parang binibigyan kami ng ilang minuto para tumakbo na sa shelter," she said.
She added: "Kanya-kanya kayong takbo kung pumunta sa shelter, ganun."
Iran strikes countries hosting US forces in Middle East
Irene and her family live near a school which houses a shelter, a type of bunker situated in the basement, or underground level of the school. There, foreign workers from all over the world huddled for safety until the siren call ends and the all-clear given.
Bathroom breaks were a frantic ordeal for Irene and her family on the first day of the airstrikes as the siren blared every fifteen minutes.
"Yung mga anak ko naman po kasi ano, syempre sanay na rin po sila. Pero, nandun pa rin 'yung takot lalo na kahapon, talagang every 15 minutes sirena na naman. Nakakapagod. Nakakapagod din na back and forth. Pipigilin mo pa ihi mo. Pag-upo mo pa lang magsi-sirena na naman, takbo ka na naman," she said.
There was no prelude to the chaos that reignited over the weekend, which came as a shock to their family.
"Wala naman kaming narinig dito. Lagi lang sinasabi na magkakagulo ganun. Pero, wala naman 'yung sinasabi nilang sa bus 'yung mga may papasabugin, wala naman naririnig na ganun. Basta winawarningan lang kami na magkakagulo, ganun." she said.
Irene's husband, an Israeli national, did not join them in the shelter but chose to stay home. Irene said her husband was familiar with sirens and airstrikes and believed that this too would pass.
True enough, the second day of the airstrikes was not as severe as the first.
Irene said that her work as a caregiver in Israel is considered essential, which is why she continues to go to work despite the risks. Irene's patients are elderly and rely on her for their daily care and support.
Irene said she has no plans to go back to the Philippines for now, adding that a large number of foreign nationals are not seeking repatriation.
This, despite news that a Filipino caregiver in Israel was killed by shrapnel in the latest airstrikes.
For now, they hold on to hope for themselves and for their families in the Philippines that God will shield them from harm and keep them safe.
"Right now, okay naman po kami dito. Safe naman po kami. Huwag po kayong mag-alala God will protect us and we miss you very much. We hope we see you soon,"she said.