By Robert Wainwright
May 18, 2005 - 2:02PM

Vivian Alvarez has spoken to her two children for the first time in more than four years, her lawyers revealed today.

Ms Alvarez, an Australian wrongly deported to the Philippines in 2001, spoke to her two sons - who are aged 16 and nine - by telephone earlier this week.

She has since met a legal team in Manila where she has been accommodated in a flat.

Both sons are understood to live in Queensland - the elder with his father, Ms Alvarez's former husband Robert Young, and the younger with a foster family who have been taking care of him since his mother disappeared on February 16, 2001.

Sydney solicitor George Newhouse, who held a press conference today, said the contact was brief but significant.

"Contrary to some media speculation, Vivian has spoken to both her children," he said.

Mr Newhouse said her medical condition was still being assessed, hampered by a lack of access to medical records.

"She is in pain and we are still doing tests," he said. "It could take some time.