Ailing call center worker makes SOS call

By Ramon Dacawi

Benedict Angelo Isip, a 26-year old call center agent, fears for his five-year old daughter should he go blind due keratoconus, an eye defect diagnosed only last month.

Doctors at the American Eye Center in Mandaluyong set corrective surgery last June 11 but Benedict, a single parent, defaulted, unable to raise P70,000 for the procedure.

Benedict’s mother, Rose Marie Grace, presented his plight to the Benguet provincial social welfare and development office which came up with a social case study report that while the family members have a regular source of income, they need outside help to be able to pay for the costs.

Rose Marie admitted she single-handedly raised Benedict and his elder sister, Mervi Rose, 27, after a falling out with her husband when the kids were too young to understand.

“To do that, I sold strawberry jam, tried selling insurance and did odd jobs to be able to feed and send my kids to school,” she said.

In her report, social welfare aide Desemia Caweng said Rose Marie, by blood a Kapampangang and Pangasinense, grew up in Manila and later raised her children with support from her parents and her maternal relatives.

In 1995, she and her children transferred to Ambiong, La Trinidad, Benguet where they now reside.

Benedict’s medical condition was diagnosed by eye specialist, Dr. Ronald Paraan at the Notre Dame Hospital after the patient suddenly felt severe head and eye ache and submitted himself for check-up.

Benedict said the doctor advised him to go to the American Eye Center for further diagnostic and retinal screening.

“I want to see and hope for a better tomorrow for my daughter and my family,” Benedict wrote in his appeal for help. “Due to financial constraint, I am appealing to all good Samaritans who could help me pay for my eye operation.”

Those who would like to help may call Benedict’s cellphone number (09196703109) or his mother’s (09273135726).