Tuesday, March 11, 2008

About Bryan Sanchez Batch '98

By Mr. Cesar Sta. Maria

It might be of interest for everyone to know how I came to meet Bryan after being away from the Philippines for 20 years. Meeting him and his family happened through pure coincidence yet most likely in GOD's way so to speak.

Here's the story. Bryan's mother Ramona lived with us for quite a number of years when she was still single. She was applying for a teaching position at Novaliches High School. With no relative to back her up we introduced her to our principal as a distant relative. She got hired and lived with us coming from Isabela with no one to live with. A few years later she met Mr. Dominador Sanchez, got married and now with four children 2 boys and 2 girls with Bryan being the eldest.

We migrated to the U.S. in 1988, twenty years later I came home for good. His parents and I met at NHS in one of my previous visits. Upon learning that she has four kids I went to visit them in San Jose Del Monte. That was when I met Bryan in 2004. I could not hold my tears when I saw his condition. Walking with one leg by jumping -- in the dialect, 'KANDIRIT "Halos hindi ko siya matingnan sa awa. Wala pa akong magawa kasi pabalik pa ako sa Amerika noon. Binigyan ko siya at ang kanyang kapatid na lalaki na mas bata sa kanya ng maliit na pasalubong and that’s it.”

In August of last year I came home again, this time for good. My son bought me a car but no driver to drive me around. One day I invited his Tatay Ador to come to the house to drive me to visit fellow NHS Faculty - Mrs. Negre, Mrs. Logan and Mrs Barawed whom I heard were all sick. Instead of Tatay Ador his Nanay brought along a tall, husky young man who happened to be Bryan's younger brother PJAY. “Can he drive?”, I asked his Nanay. “Yes Kuya!”, his Nanay said. And so we went. On our way I came to know more about Pjay and Bryan and the next thing we know is that Pjay is now my regular driver every time I need to go elsewhere. We never talk of salary. Every time I asked Pjay he would say, “Wala po Tito, pagtanaw lang po ng utang na loob sa ginawa niyo kay Nanay noon”. "Yon na ang simula na makilala ko ng husto si Pjay. Ambisyon niya makapag-abroad para maibili si Bryan ng artificial leg na sa pagtatanong niya ay aabot sa P150,000 kung galing sa Japan. Hindi daw nila kayang mabili yon dito kung hindi sa kanyang pangingibang bansa. Maglimang buwan ng naglilingkod sa akin si Pjay bilang driver at caregiver. Nag-aasikaso ng pag-inom ko ng gamot, pagluluto at lahat na ng gawaing bahay. Pinakilala ko siyang pamangkin sa ibang tao. Kilala na siya halos lahat ng kamag-anak ko."

One day I was watching Korina Sanchez at Rated K and got attracted to the episode, "Super Pinoy" featuring disabled individuals excelling in their own respected field of interest. The one that attracted me most is the story of a one-legged man named Arnold Balais who inspite of having only one leg he became a champion in swimming not only here but all over Asia. Having known Ricky Ligon also an alumnus of NHS now working at ABS-CBN, I asked for a copy of the guy’s CD so I could have Bryan watch it. With no second thoughts Ricky delivered the CD plus the contact number of Arnold who at that time was in Cebu working in a compny that manufactures prosthesis legs. Through text, Arnold and I became regular textmates until he recommended us to the German Manufacturer of artificial legs based in Barrio Capitolyo in Pasig. And so wasting no time Bryan, Pjay and I drove to Pasig last February 23rd for assessment and evaluation of Bryan’s condition. The next thing we know is the amount in full or the amount by installment. We were given a quotation but could not get the measurement unless we put a 40% down of the full amount of P120,000. So this is how the campaign “An Appeal For A Noble Cause” came about. With nothing on hand but the opening quotation, “A journey to a thousand miles begins win one step”, pledges of support are now pouring in. So I end this story with another quote, “In gratitude for your own good fortune you must in return render some sacrifice of your life for other life.”

For and on behalf of the Sanchez family allow me to thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart and let you know how much we appreciate you generous concern towards other people like Bryan and Pjay so deserving to be called superheroes in their own way expressing their unselfish love to one another. Allow me to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez for having brought to this world 2 exceptional sons every parent can be proud of.

To Chona Villafuerte-Go, I thank you on behalf of the Sanchez family for giving them a space in our website for everyone to read another episode in the reality of life. May this story serves as an inspiration to others. I feel very honored to be part of their struggle to overcome difficulties brought about by some unavoidable circumstance. Life is full of challenges. It is for us to fight and be strong in facing the challenges that come along the way.

"GOD IS ALWAYS THERE TO SHOW THE WAY. LET US TRAVEL THE ROAD GOD WANTS US TO TAKE."

Again thank you and GOD BLESS!

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