Dad of PH’s youngest COVID-19 survivor wanted son to be a cop, doctor

Ronnel Manjares takes a photo of him and his son Kobe, who was supposed to turn two months old on June 12. Kobe died on Wednesday night, June 3, 2020, due to complications in his intestines. Photo from Rosalyn Manjares

MANILA, Philippines — Before Ronnel Manjares received a phone call from a doctor on Wednesday night, he had imagined his youngest child Kobe as a policeman or a doctor in the future.

The doctor was only initially asking for Ronnel’s permission to have the baby intubated after several health complications—until the conversation suddenly shifted to unfortunate news.

“Kinakausap ako ng doktor kung papayag daw kami na tubuhan [si Kobe]. Hindi pa ako nakakapagsabi, hindi pa ako pumapayag, ay bigla na lang nagsabi ang doktor na: ‘Sir, sandali lang po, kasi ‘yung anak niyo nag-zero-zero na,” Ronnel said in an interview with INQUIRER.net on Thursday.

(The doctor was just asking if we will let Kobe be intubated. I had not given my permission yet when the doctor suddenly said: “Sir, hold on, your son is dead.”)

READ: Philippines’ youngest survivor of COVID-19 dies

It then became clear to Ronnel right after the phone call that the short-lived dream he had for his son, who was just about to turn two months old on June 12, would no longer be a reality.

“Gusto ko sana maging ano siya, pulis o kaya doktor, kaso hindi na matutuloy kasi wala na po siya. Kinuha na po,” he shared.

(I wanted him to be a policeman or a doctor, but it will not happen anymore because he is gone. He was taken away.)

Born on April 12, Kobe was diagnosed with the coronavirus disease when he was only five days old. He later recovered and was discharged from the National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City on April 28, being recorded as the country’s youngest survivor of the dreaded illness.

However, after three days, Kobe was rushed back to the hospital due to constipation.

According to Ronnel, Kobe had complications in his intestines before his sudden death. He said Kobe’s blood also caught an infection and the baby’s blood sugar level fluctuated, with his stomach swelling and contracting irregularly.

Asked what ran through his mind upon hearing the news, Ronnel said: “Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko (I did not know what to do).”

As of this posting, the family has yet to claim the body of Kobe since they are still finalizing papers for his burial.

With his wife also jobless, Ronnel said they do not have enough money to pay for the burial expenses of his son. He added they were only relying on help from other people for their daily needs after losing his job.

Those willing to extend help to Kobe’s family may contact Ronnel at 09519992328.