Single dad in Tabuk City asks help for son battling for life

Tabuk City, Kalinga – For the past six years, a 61-year-old laborer has been acting as a father and a mother to his seven children after he lost his wife in 2017.

It was not easy for Edwardo Dela Cruz of San Juan, Tabuk City, but he was able to do it despite meager resources. But recently, life has thrown another challenge in his way.

Since most of his kids are now grown-ups and have their own families, Edwardo is currently living with his two children – Jeremy, 24, and Jemalyn, 21, and his two grandchildren whom he raised like his own.

Their life has always been simple with him and Jeremy waking up in the morning to do labor work such as construction, farming, and gardening to provide for their daily living and allowance for Jemalyn who is now in 12th grade and the two grandchildren, grade 4 and grade 8.

On Nov. 02, however, having barely enough resources, an incident tested Edwardo’s faith.

Hospital emergency

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Edwardo recalled that on Nov. 02, he told his grandkids to call Jeremy for them to eat dinner. However, they found out that he went to his friend’s place.

The senior citizen woke up the following morning to the news that Jeremy was at the San Juan General Hospital with a dislocated spinal cord after falling off the 3rd floor of his friend’s house on the night of All Souls' Day.

“Ayaban yun ta mangan kayun kunak, idi inayaban da ket awan metten, napan gayam idiay laod, idiay ayan ti kadwa na nga agtalon. Bigat ket nadamag ko metten nga natinnag,” he said.

Jeremy had to be subjected to an immediate surgery that’s why he was referred to the Divine Mercy Wellness Center in Tuguegarao City on the night of Nov. 03.

On Nov. 04, he was operated.

‘Marigrigat nak lang nga ama’

Edwardo who also got sick after staying with his son at the hospital now worries about where he could get the money to settle Jeremy’s half-million hospital bill.

He relayed that his average income is P300 which is barely enough to cover their daily needs. He is thankful to Jeremy who is helping him earn their daily living, especially since he doesn’t make any money when no one needs his services as a laborer.

The knowledge of his son fighting for his life kept him wide awake at night.

“Madi iti riknak, ta pagal-alaak iti kasdiay nga gatad. Ta marigrigat nak lang nga ama met, haan ko met kinayat nga kastoy iti mapasamak,” he said in his soft voice.

For donation

Currently, Jeremy is intubated at the Divine Mercy Wellness Center. As mentioned by his relatives, he can now be transferred to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center provided they settle his P550,000 hospital bill.

To help with Jeremy’s hospital account and medications, you may send any amount to his sister’s GCash number – 09307435954, Jemalyn Dela Cruz.

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