A baby was safely delivered aboard a Lite Ferry vessel while it was traveling from Dumaguete to Dipolog in the early morning of December 21, 2025. At around 4:00 a.m., a 30-year-old woman from Zamboanga Sibugay went into labor while on board the ferry. This is the mother’s second child.
According to Nurse Marex S. Hitalia, who assisted in the delivery together with Nurse Gail Ann Hallasgo, the mother had come from Oslob, Cebu, where she was working, and was already on her way home to her province. She was traveling alone and had even driven a motorcycle during her land journey before reaching the port.
At first, the ship’s crew did not immediately notice that the woman was pregnant because it was not obvious. She also did not use the priority lane when boarding the vessel. While the ferry was already at sea, an announcement was made calling for any nurse, midwife, or doctor on board to assist with an emergency.
Nurse Hitalia responded to the second paging announcement, while Nurse Hallasgo, who has prior experience assisting in delivery room procedures, immediately proceeded to the ship’s sick room upon learning that the emergency involved a pregnant passenger.
Upon arriving at the sick room, Nurses Hitalia and Hallasgo confirmed that the woman was already in active labor. The mother informed them that she was only seven months pregnant, which raised concerns due to the risk of premature delivery and the long distance she had traveled by motorcycle.
With limited medical supplies and no complete medications available on board, the two nurses initially advised the mother to try to hold the labor if possible. However, after a few minutes, the mother said she could no longer endure the pain and felt that the baby was about to come out. Upon examination, the nurses confirmed that the baby was already crowning.
The risks were explained to the mother by the nurses, and her consent was obtained before proceeding with the delivery.
The delivery was carried out inside the ship’s sick room. Despite the lack of equipment, Nurses Hitalia and Hallasgo worked together to safely deliver the baby, and both the mother and the newborn were in good condition after the procedure.
Upon the vessel’s arrival at the Dipolog port, the mother and her newborn were immediately escorted by military officials. The mother was safely transferred into an ambulance for further medical care.
Nurse Marex S. Hitalia personally carried the newborn to the ambulance so the baby could be reunited with the mother. Hitalia later shared that she had only recently passed the nursing board examination in November 2025 and never expected to encounter such a situation in real life.
“I thought this only happened in movies, but it really happened in real life. Thank God the labor was successful and both the mother and the baby are safe,” Hitalia said.
The mother expressed her gratitude to the nurses, the ship’s crew, and the authorities who responded quickly during the emergency.
The incident is considered a rare event during sea travel and highlights the dedication of health workers and responders in providing help even in unexpected situations. (December 22, 2025, Mikaila Abrinica)
📷 Marex Hitalia