Justine Julongbayan, 9, who has a rare bone condition known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, speaks with Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan in Batangas on Monday, March 21, 2022. Julongbayan said he hopes that the tandem of Robredo and Pangilinan win in the May 9 elections. Photo by Team Kiko Pangilinan
MANILA, Philippines — A nine-year-old boy suffering from a rare bone condition is wishing for a cure – and for Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan to win in the upcoming elections.
For Justine Julongbayan, who is diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) or “brittle bone disease,” Robredo and Pangilinan are the “only hope of the country for a good governance.” Robredo and Pangilinan are running for president and vice president, respectively, in this year’s polls.
“Masaya po ako kasi nakita ko si Senator Kiko kahit saglit lang at nakamayan ko po siya,” the boy said. He met Pangilinan during a prayer rally held in Batangas on Monday, March 21.
(I’m happy because I saw Senator Kiko even for a moment and I shook his hand.)
Even if he is yet to be a voter, Julongbayan called on his fellow Batangueños to vote according to their conscience on May 9.
“Tiwala po ako na kapag siya ang nanalo, magiging maunlad ang ating bansa at mawawala ang korapsyon sa gobyerno,” he also said, referring to Pangilinan.
(I am confident that if he wins, our country will prosper and government corruption will disappear.)
Justine’s mother, Marissa, said she is proud of her son for his innate intelligence at such a young age.
“Paglalakad lang talaga ang problema niya pero matalino, masipag, at madasalin iyang si Justine,” Marissa said.
(His only problem is walking but Justine is smart, hardworking, and prayerful.)
Children born with OI or brittle bone disease usually have soft bones that break or fracture easily.
Marissa said she and her son traveled for almost 40 kilometers from Aguila, San Jose municipality in Batangas, to attend the gathering. But it was all worth it, she added.
“Sobrang saya po talaga, halos maiyak ako dahil hindi ko po inaasahan na lalapit siya sa anak ko. Napakabait niya at napakagaan kausap,” Marissa said.
(I was really happy, I almost cried because I didn’t expect him to approach my son. He was very kind and very easy to talk to.)
According to Marissa, her vote in May will be for her children’s future, nothing less: “Boboto po ako lalo na [para] sa aking mga anak para magkaroon sila ng magandang kinabukasan at oportunidad kapag lumaki na sila.”
(I will vote especially for my children so that they will have a good future, and opportunities when they grow up.)
“Sana po manalo talaga ang tandem nina VP Leni at Senator Kiko dahil walang ibang may malinis na hangarin para sa ating bayan bukod sa kanila,” she added.
(I really hope the tandem of VP Leni and Senator Kiko really wins because there is no one else with pure aspirations for our country besides them.)
Pangilinan thanked participants to the prayer rally, for taking the time to come and support the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem.
“Hindi lamang po ito kampanya namin ni VP Leni kundi kampanya nating lahat. Ako ay naniniwala na this is the battle for the soul of the nation and we are all working for the victory of our people,” he said.
(This is not only our campaign but the campaign of all of us. I believe that this is the battle for the soul of the nation and we are all working for the victory of our people.)
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