A woman, leaning against the door, clutching a hand broom while a white towel rests on her shoulder, gazes softly at the sight of the pilgrims as the Mass presider speaks about hope. Her quiet sight, as she listened, reflects the hope, the faith, and the sacrifices that love can ever demand. For a mother like Raiza Joelin, her story is not one of despair but of hope that leaps like faith as she fights for her son’s healing from leukemia.
“Sa pagsugod pa lang, gi-sacrifice nako akong kaugalingon, mao’ng naa ko diri para sa akong anak nga nasakit og leukemia,” she says as her voice trembles and eyes with suppressed tears.
The 38-year-old mother from Toledo City works endlessly as maintenance personnel at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, not just to sustain her family’s needs but also to cover the costs of her son’s ongoing chemotherapy treatments at one of the major hospitals in Cebu.
Her son, whom she fondly calls “Dodong,” is a bright and driven 16-year-old boy and has always been an achiever. “Pirmi siya maapil sa honor,” Raiza shared with pride evident in her voice. However, their lives took an unexpected turn when she noticed that Dodong got paler after returning from Mindanao, where the family of Dodong’s father resides. What started as pale skin and fatigue turned into months of hospital visits, even consulting a “mananambal” (a practitioner of traditional medicine) but was eventually diagnosed with life-threatening leukemia.
Despite these setbacks that tested her emotional wellbeing, Raiza’s faith never faltered. “Si Sto. Niño milagroso kaayo. Bisan maglisod ko, akong gisalig akong kaugalingon sa Ginoo. Akong gi-offer akong kaugalingon, bahala’g ako’y mag-antos basta importante maulian akong anak.”
Her faith in the Holy Child is evident in her daily tasks and dealing with people. Although the ongoing treatment of her son’s condition financially burdens her, support comes in unexpected ways. Through the help of kind-hearted individuals around her and government subsidies, she manages to keep up with the expenses.
She is deeply grateful saying, “Thankful kaayo ko, ug unta ma-bless ang mga tawo nga nitabang nako tungod sa ilang pagkamaayo… wala’y katapusang pasalamat akong paambit kanila.”
However, Raiza emphasized that she would not rely entirely on their assistance. She remains committed to supporting her three children and her ailing son, Dodong. She continues to work tirelessly while praying fervently for his recovery.
Dodong’s treatment journey is still a kilometer away from its destination. It is far from over. His chemotherapy is scheduled to continue in the next 3-5 years, with another bone marrow test scheduled soon to determine his progress.
For Raiza, her hope in Santo Niño is simple but a life changer — for his son to recover and fulfill his dream of becoming a seafarer. She believes her undying faith, love, and devotion will carry them through the darkest nights.
Despite the uncertainties that may come their way, Raiza will continue to cling to hope until her prayer shall be fulfilled in God’s will and time./Donna Rose Egos, BMSN Media Centre student volunteer