MRT passengers tell Ashley and grandma: You’re trending

Ashley Anne Nepomuceno with grandmother Cleofe Navarro INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – “Hindi naman kami namamalimos (We are not begging for money),” was six-year old Ashley Anne Nepomuceno’s reply to a woman handing her a P1,000 bill at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), the child’s grandmother Cleofe Navarro recalled.

Navarro said the incident happened before they were featured in INQUIRER.net. She admitted that Ashley is sometimes embarrassed and distressed by the attention.  Her reaction, however, varies depending on how she is approached.

INQUIRER.net last Friday published an article about how MRT passengers “passed the hat” for Ashley, who suffers from bone marrow cancer and a rare skin disease called epidermolysis bullosa. The article has since been shared by thousands of people, touched by the simple act of the good Samaritans, as well as the dedication of the grandmother.

Even at a young age Ashley understands their situation, Navarro said. Like her grandmother, she doesn’t want people to think that they are using her condition to ask for money.

“Napakabait ng apo mo (Your granddaughter is so kind),” the woman with the P1,000 bill told Navarro before insisting that they accept the money.

During their daily commute at the MRT or the Light Rail Transit, Navarro seldom speaks unless asked by fellow passengers. She does not ask for help. But people, moved by Ashley’s condition and Navarro’s perseverance to bring her to the hospital on her own, offer money or whatever they could give.

So far, INQUIRER.net readers have raised more than P500,000 for Ashley’s medical needs which is estimated to cost around P50,000 a month, excluding expensive laboratory tests done every three months. A number of organizations, government offices and other media groups also offered help.

Trending

“Nag-trending daw kami (They said we were trending),” Navarro told INQUIRER.net on Wednesday, hours after passengers at the MRT told them about how their story had become viral on the Internet.

One of them even showed the post through a smartphone. Another one handed them a copy of Inquirer Libre where the article was reprinted.

While overwhelmed with the outpouring of support, Navarro expressed apprehension.

“Baka isipin ng mga tao ginagamit yung bata. Parang ang sakit naman po,” she said.

(People might think that the child is being used. That thought hurts me.)

Navarro said she is willing to do anything to ensure that Ashley receives adequate medical care but she said she cannot take it if people would say things and hurt her granddaughter.

“Doon po sa lahat ng tumulong sa amin, ako po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyo sa pagtulong n’yo po sa apo ko na nadugtungan n’yo ang buhay na matagal,” she said the other day.

“Wag po kayong mag-alala ‘yung tinulong n’yo po sa apo ko, talagang mapupunta sa kanya…Maraming maraming salamat po sa tulong. Salamat po,” she added before breaking down in tears.

(To all those who helped us, I am wholeheartedly thanking you for helping my grandchild, for ensuring that she will live longer. I assure you that your donations will be used only for the benefit of Ashley. Thank you very much for your help. Thank you.)

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