Ten years ago, in the quiet solitude of Sacred Heart Church in Makati, we witnessed a scene of pure, heartbreaking devotion. A father sat on a wooden pew, cradling his daughter in his arms. His shoulders shook with silent sobs, a quiet prayer on his lips. They had just come from an appointment at the Philippine Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation Center next door.
This was our first encounter with Rolando Niangar and his beloved daughter, Jewelyn.
For 22 years, Jewelyn, who has lived with cerebral palsy since infancy, has known only the constant, unwavering love of her father. Mang Rolando, father of 6, has dedicated his life to her. For a time, a small sari-sari store beside their home in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, provided for their needs. It was a symbol of his hard work and their hope for a stable future.
But that hope was shattered by an unimaginable tragedy. One of his other daughters, who helped run the store, suddenly suffered a heart attack and passed away. The immense cost of hospitalization and burial expenses wiped out their small business, forcing him to close its doors for good.
Today, Mang Rolando gets some contractual work for various house-building projects here and there, and when time permits, he peddles foodstuff in his neighborhood. His wife, who works as a stay-in housemaid, also chips in around P3,000 a month to help make ends meet. But the family income is a constant, losing battle against the mounting costs of Jewelyn’s essential needs: The specialized formula milk for her nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding, vital medications to keep her comfortable, and consistent therapy to maintain her quality of life.
We have followed their journey ever since that day in the church, sharing in the brief moments of relief when media attention brought waves of support. But spotlights fade, and the world moves on. For Mang Rolando and Jewelyn, the struggle is a daily, exhausting reality.
We recently visited their home to deliver medical supplies and formula milk, donations from friends who heard their story and felt compelled to act. The gratitude in Mang Rolando’s eyes was immense, but we know it’s a temporary fix for a relentless need. Mang Rolando is still hopeful that he would still be able to re-open his store, but only when he has enough funds saved to buy the items he needs and to pay the rental fees.
This is where their story meets yours. Let’s come together to surround this family with the support they so desperately need and deserve. Let’s show them they are not forgotten and that a father’s incredible love does not have to be a burden he carries alone. Should you wish to support Rolando and Jewelyn, here are their GCash and contact numbers: Rolando Niangar—09634175981; April Niangar—09512309406.
TessDrive will soon be posting a video of our visit. We want to extend our special thanks to Isuzu Philippines Corp. for the D-MAX 4×2 LS-A, which allowed us to transport all the donated goods for the Niangar family.
Banner image shows Mang Rolando with his daughter Jewelyn