A routine morning in Cebu City turned into an unimaginable tragedy last week when a massive garbage landslide claimed multiple lives, including a mother of three whose final act was a loving farewell to her husband.
A Morning Routine Shattered by Disaster
For years, Bienvenido Ranido's dawn routine was steadfast. He would wake up early to prepare breakfast and help his wife, Rowena, 36, get their three children ready for school. On the morning of Thursday, January 8, 2026, he followed this familiar pattern. After dropping the kids off, he drove his wife to her workplace at Prime Waste Solutions in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, where she worked in the Human Resource Department.
As she said goodbye, Rowena kissed her husband twice, each time saying "I love you." These tender moments would be their last. Bienvenido would never see his wife alive again. Later that day, at around 4:00 PM, the mountain of garbage at the Binaliw landfill suddenly collapsed, burying the structures of Prime Waste Solutions and the employees inside.
Desperate Search Amidst Chaos
Bienvenido, who worked for a different waste hauler in Binaliw, heard a loud noise like an explosion. Initially thinking it was just a truck, he soon learned the horrifying news: the landfill had given way. Driven by fear and concern, he rushed to the site on his motorcycle.
He was met with a scene of utter chaos described as ground zero. The air was filled with sirens, the roar of heavy equipment digging through the cascaded waste, and the agonized cries of family members watching and waiting for news of their buried loved ones. With his bare hands, Bienvenido joined the desperate rescue effort, clawing at the garbage while calling out Rowena's name.
The following day, January 9, Rowena's lifeless body was recovered from the rubble.
A Father's Promise Amidst Grief
Amidst profound grief, Bienvenido made a solemn vow. He pledged to do everything in his power to ensure their three children finish their studies, fulfilling the dream he shared with his late wife. He also expressed hope that the Cebu City Government would grant his children an opportunity to be included in a scholarship program, a crucial support for their future education.
This tragedy highlights the ongoing risks associated with waste management infrastructure and the profound human cost when disaster strikes. The community of Barangay Binaliw and Cebu City mourns the loss of Rowena Ranido and her colleagues.
