MANILA, Philippines — A few days before Christmas Day, Elma San Jose left Aklan province accompanied by her youngest child to spend the holidays with her other two kids in Manila.
On Dec. 24, however, the 54-year-old widow and housewife had to be rushed to the hospital for appendicitis.
“We were busy preparing for noche buena when my mother complained of excruciating abdominal pain. It was raining when I brought her to a hospital which did not admit us because doctors said they were not equipped with an ultrasound machine,” San Juan’s son, Rommel, told the Inquirer.
The 24-year-old Information Technology graduate said that they were referred to the Medical Center Muntinlupa (MCM) in Muntinlupa City where doctors operated on his mother on Dec. 27.
Rommel, a call center agent, is staying at an apartment in Alabang with his younger sister, Erlyn Joy, who was hired just two months ago as a room attendant. Their youngest sibling, 19-year-old John Lester, is still a student.
With the help of his sister, Rommel said they managed to borrow P65,000 from their employers to pay for their mother’s medical bill. However, they still owe the hospital P63,315.
The original bill was P189,000 but MCM officials agreed to give them a discount and charge them only P128,315.
“I am thanking in advance those who will help in the release of my mother from the hospital. I appreciate your kindness the way I am thankful that she is alive. I just came from a prayer meeting and the comforting words that I got were ”˜Keep the faith and trust God,’” Rommel said.
Rommel San Jose can be reached at 0949-4570972. Donations can be deposited in his BDO account number 001190377681.