There is perhaps no feeling more joyful for an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), separated from loved ones for a long period, than the day they are reunited with their family, especially their children.

This profound happiness was exactly what Zel Joyce Cellos Pagaling felt upon her long-awaited return to her hometown in Nueva Ecija. However, this triumphant homecoming was tragically destined to be the last time she would ever see her children and family.

Just days after her return, instead of the embrace of love and excitement she expected, death was delivered by the hands of her own husband. The Nueva Ecija police received a call concerning a murder case on May 8, 2025. They immediately responded, heading to the crime scene in Barangay Baro, Gimba, Nueva Ecija. Upon arrival, they were met by a chaotic scene of distraught people, some weeping, some expressing pity for the victim, and others simply trying to ascertain what had happened.

The victim was identified as 34-year-old Zel Joyce Helos Pagaling, a resident of the area. Zel Joyce, born on April 7, 1991, came from a simple background and grew up cherished by her parents and her five sisters. Despite being all girls, they acted as a solid team, supporting and defending each other in all things.

Zel was known for her kindness and sociable nature, maintaining close relationships with her siblings and relatives. Beyond her good character, she possessed a beautiful face and figure that many women envied. As she grew older, many men were drawn to her beauty, but only one man captured her heart: Mawel Diaz Mendoza, a native of Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija.

The couple began living together after Zel became pregnant with their first child. However, just months after their eldest daughter was born, Mawel became involved in a legal case that led to his imprisonment. Zel was left alone to raise their daughter and earn a living. Despite the insistence of some relatives that she should separate from Mawel, Zel stood firm in her love and commitment.

Instead of leaving him, she worked tirelessly to secure his release from prison. Her perseverance and prayers seemed to be answered, as Mawel was released and reunited with his family. Those who knew the couple often described them as openly affectionate towards each other.

Zel was vocal about her love for her husband to friends and family, and her social media feed was constantly filled with photos of Mawel, accompanied by sweet messages and declarations of “Mahal kita” (I love you). Many envied their seemingly perfect relationship.

Over the years, the couple’s family grew, and Zel gave birth to two more daughters. Faced with increasing financial burdens and a growing family, Zel made the difficult decision to venture abroad.

Initially, her parents and siblings strongly opposed her plan, fully aware of the hardships OFWs faced and the negative news surrounding some Filipino workers, especially in the Middle East.

Despite the protests from her family and husband, Zel was resolute. She eventually left the country for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she worked as a domestic helper.

Her plan was to save enough capital to renovate their house and start a business before returning permanently to the Philippines. Fortunately, her employers in Riyadh were kind, and she had supportive Filipina colleagues, which eased her adjustment to life abroad.

Despite the long distance, Zel remained devoted to her children. She made sure to communicate with her children and husband whenever she had free time. Working abroad gradually helped Zel realize her dreams.

She was able to provide for her three children’s needs, particularly their education. She also transformed their house, upgrading it from a simple structure made of bamboo and nipa to one with concrete walls and glass windows.

Furthermore, they started a parisa (rice retailing) business, with Mawel doing the cooking and Zel’s mother and sisters providing support. Zel often proudly told her friends and siblings about Mawel’s excellent cooking skills, making the rice retailing business a fitting venture. Despite their successes, the couple also faced challenges.

Due to the time difference and her demanding work schedule, Zel sometimes struggled to communicate regularly with her husband, especially when she was busy. This lack of constant communication was something Mawel failed to understand. He began to harbor suspicions and frequently accused Zel of having another man, an accusation she maintained was impossible.

In Saudi Arabia, domestic helpers were often confined to the home, and it was difficult to even get a day off. Communication with men was strictly forbidden, and Zel spent all her free time talking to her husband and children. After a long period of separation from her loved ones, Zel was excited to finally come home to the Philippines.

She had kept her return a secret from her children, leading to a genuinely surprised and emotional reunion when she walked through the door. The initial reunion with her husband also seemed harmonious, giving her siblings no warning of the impending tragedy.

The horrific crime occurred shortly thereafter. According to neighbors, they did not notice anything unusual about the couple in the days leading up to the incident. However, on the night of May 8, 2025, everyone was startled by the screams of Zel’s children, who were repeatedly crying out, “Stop it, Daddy! Have mercy on Mommy!”

They did not hear Zel’s voice. Eventually, neighbors decided to peer into the commotion and saw Zel’s bloody body and her weeping children.

Events unfolded quickly. Witnesses reported that they managed to restrain Mawel, who was still holding the bloody screwdriver. As they attempted to lift Zel’s unconscious, bloody body, Mawel reportedly shouted at them, “Don’t take her to the hospital anymore! I made sure she’s dead so no one else can benefit from her!”

The entire incident was witnessed by the couple’s three young daughters. The children later recounted seeing their father sharpening the screwdriver using a grinder.

A heated argument ensued between the couple before Mawel plunged the screwdriver into Zel’s chest. Unsatisfied, he repeatedly stabbed his defenseless wife in the side. Despite the desperate pleas and tears of his children, he did not stop until Zel’s bloody body finally collapsed.

The mother of Zel Joyce received a call from a neighbor before midnight on the same day. The neighbor reported that two men had strangely entered and quickly left Zel’s house on an NMAX motorcycle.

When Zel’s sister went to the house, she found the interior in disarray and her sister’s suitcase contents scattered. They soon realized that Zel’s wallet and the Php 100,000 cash she brought home were missing.

Zel had taken a cash advance from her employer before returning to the Philippines, planning to use the money to secure a better location for their rice retailing business. She had also planned to take a vacation before returning to Saudi Arabia to tile the floor and install a ceiling in their house, fulfilling her ongoing dreams. The family strongly suspected Mawel’s involvement in the missing money.

Mawel Diaz Mendoza was quickly apprehended and taken into custody by the Gimba Municipal Police, with the bloodied screwdriver recovered as evidence. Throughout his arrest and detention, he remained silent, offering no statement to the police. Zel’s body was laid to rest on May 18, 2025, at the Tabacao Cemetery in her hometown.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, the three young children are the most deeply affected and hurt. They will carry the lifelong memory of witnessing their father, the man who was supposed to protect and love them most, brutally murder their mother. The man they expected to be the light of their home became the source of its darkness, utterly destroying their family in a fit of jealous rage and greed.