It depends on what type of tickets it is.
No show means, they did not cancel the booking before the flights leave. They did not show up the flight, sometimes really no refund.
When buy the ticket, did the agent mention about the rules?
If you really want to help her, might be call and fax the ticket to Philippine Airlines ticketing department to ask. And tell them the maid is in Hong kong, could it apply refund in HK instead?
希望勉勵一些有任何困難的人,要勇敢一些,有能力幫人就去幫,不開心時不要怪這怪那,上班時不要推卸責任! From myself, 兔唇mama
鏗鏗MUM: 人窮,慾望琳瑯,不爽不吃;志不窮,路途瞭闊,不吐不快 : )