Quiet kindness

BENCHWARMER

Ramon S. Dacawi

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet-- Four hemodialysis patients – two Ibaloi women, an Ifugao woodcarver’s son and one blinded by diabetes – can’t help but be ecstatic over the quiet kindness of strangers who recently contributed to sustain their twice-a-week treatment for kidney failure.

“Thank you ti nagadu (Thanks so much),” said 34-year old Linbeth Lestino, a college graduate and former salesgirl from Barangay Cruz here who began treatment in May last year.

For one who skips a treatment session every other week just to cope with the continuing expense, yet risks dire consequences for trying to survive on empty,  she cannot be too profuse in her gratitude.

Her gratitude is for Engr. Leonard Licanio. He met her at the KFC Centermall branch last Sept. 11 and handed her P2,000. It goes  to Dexter, most probably an overseas Filipino worker who, from his base in Qatar, sent P5,000. It’s  for Victor Dictag, who met her at the Malcolm Square before noon last Sunday to hand over P3,000.

The three, whoever and wherever they are, were the same guys who contributed similar amounts to Linbeth’s friend, fellow Ibaloi and dialysis patient, Madeline Ranille, 40 and  mother to five kids from Gueweng, Abiang, Atok.

Madeline received support from Engr. Licanio earlier, as Linbeth was then attached to tubes attached to the blood-cleansing machine that does what their kidneys used to do before the organs that filter body waste failed. 

Neither can 22-year old kidney patient John Mark Tiyad hold back his elation after two Samaritans and a political party list pooled P12,000 for his twice-a-week treatment at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.

A certain “Uncle” met John Mark at the Baguio Cathedral afternoon of Aug. 24 and handed P5,000. A lady who wants to remain anonymous met him afternoon of Aug,. 30 at the Eastpark “Wagwagan” along Harrison Rd. and gave an equal amount. Kalinga Partylist, through Ms. De Vera, issued a certificate of assistance worth P2,000, according to the patient’s sister, Gloria.

John Mark, fourth child of an Ifugao woodcarver, was forced to  forced to drop his first year college subjects and became a laborer due to fund lack. He is now on the Tuesday-Friday dialysis schedule at the BGHMC.

Madeline and Linbeth initially met at the Benguet Renal Center, the hemodialysis unit inside the Benguet General Hospital in La Trinidad. Their friendship, forged by a common ailment and steeled by suffering, led them to knocking on doors together the other week.

Madeline’s husband, Nestor Sr., manages a small vulcanizing shop in Gueweng. He can hardly earn enough to support their children: Ryan, 19 and a senior computer science student at King’s College in La Trinidad;  Jayson, 16 and first year civil engineering at St. Louis Un iversity; Rinlee, 10 and in grade V; and Nesline, 9 and in the fourth grade. Nestor Jr., the eldest at 21, is a hand in an automotive repair shop.

It helps that Ryan is on the dean’s list while Jayson got a scholarship from the Benguet provincial government for topping the graduating class last summer at the Atok National High School.

Linbeth, the youngest of three siblings, finished Bachelor of Elementary Education from the Benguet State University in 1999. She lost her father to bladder cancer in 2004. She was working as a salesgirl at SM Quiapo, Manila in May last year when she was diagnosed for kidney failure.

When told she would  have to undergo lifetime dialysis treatment,she quit her job and came home to her mother at 048 Oliweg, Cruz, La Trinidad.

As this was being written, Mary Anne Adian, whose husband Sabino is also undergoing dialysis sessions at the BGHMC, texted that a Samaritan had texted her, saying they would also meet at the EastPark “Wagwagan”.

Mary Anne’s eyes welled when the lady donor, who declined to identify herself, handed P5,000. She and Sabino, marginal farmers from Nueva Vizcaya, recently traveled to Baguio to be near the treatment machines.

Complications of diabetes also rendered Sabino blind. If it’s any consolation, the couple has no children to raise. A pastor has taken them in to his home in Pinsao, to be closer to the hemodialysis center, to be closer to Samaritans out there.

People who want to help may ring up Mary Anne’s number (09397288672), Gloria’s for her brother John Mark Tiyad (09297661705), Linbeth’s (09198575207) and Madeline’s (09109781449). (e-mail: mondaxbench@yahoo.com for comments)