Karateka breaks code for sick wife

By Ramon Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY -- First dan blackbelt Carlito Fagcayang is steeped in the tradition of gentle toughness that is the mark of the Japan Karate Association. It’s a vow  he was soaked in under master Kunio Sasaki, the JKA pioneer instructor and permanent representative to the Philippines.

Last week, in the presence of his immediate teacher, fifth dan blackbelt Edgar Kapawen Sr., Fagcayang broke that code of fortitude, of enduring pain in silence pounded into him since he enrolled  as a white belt 30 years ago at the YMCA gym here.

He had to. His 43-year old wife, Barbara (nee Sianen), badly needs help. She had just been released from the hospital after undergoing her first chemotherapy treatment for ovarian cancer. She still has five more chemo sessions to go.

The dreaded illness surfaced last year, prompting her to undergo surgery (total abdominal hysterectomy-bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy)  in June.

That same month, Carlito received his retrenchment notice as heavy equipment operator under Aboitiz, the power firm that bought, rehabilitated and now operates the Ambuclao Dam in Bokod, Benguet.

Two months ago, Barbara’s illness resurfaced. The couple and relatives pooled P32,000 for the initial chemo session at the SLU Hospital of the Sacred Heart here. 

The second chemo will be set later this month,  after her check-up on Aug, 6. 

When Carlito lost his job  with Aboitiz, after Barbara’s surgery, the couple repaired back to their native village in Tocucan, Bontoc, Mt. Province.

There, the couple turned to marginal farming and raised their son Abraham, now 6 and in the first grade.

“I have a very young son who, I hope I can nurture until he is of age together with my loving and supporting husband,” Barbara said in a letter-appeal she wrote after she got out of the hospital last week.

“I guess there’s no choice but to appeal for help as we have nowhere to turn to to sustain my wife’s chemotherapy,” Carlito admitted.

People reading this and can help may ring up cellphone number 09353966655 (Carlito’s) or 09058821349 (Barbara’s).

There are Samaritans out there. Among them is a businessman who requested anonymity as he contributed P3,000 the other week for whoever needs it most. 

At the receiving end of such generosity is Jocelyn Singson,  a 42-year year old kagawad of Bahong, La Trinidad,  Benguet needing twice-a-week hemodialysis treatment for kidney failure.

As kagawad, Singson receives P6,300 monthly honorarium. It’s a pittance, as she needs  almost P10,000 weekly to sustain her treatment scheduled every Tuesday and Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Cordillera Renal Center along at the Baguio Midland Courier Building along  Kisad Rd., Baguio.

At the least, she  needs P2,650 per session, an amount  she and her husband Reynaldo, a plumber, can’t sustain on their own.

The anonymous donor said he will try to provide regular support to indigent and seriously ill patients. “One at a time, as I am like many who have limited resources,” he clarified. 

Other Samaritans can call up Jocelyn (09467027565) or see her during her treatment at the renal center.