By Marisol Bo-oc | 03:53 PM April 16, 2020
Grieving the death of a child is often referred to as the ultimate tragedy for any parent.
Maricel Melancolico, who works in Cebu City, was one of those parents who had to experience it.
She left her eight-year-old son in Barangay Cangmundo in Getafe town.
The last time she spent time with her son was on December 25, last year when she went home for Christmas.
She was supposed to go home last March but was unable to travel when provinces and cities declared community quarantines to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Maricel’s son died last Thursday, April 9, 2020.
“Ang bata hadlukan gyud ug dugo. Natunok ni pag-unya pagkakita sa dugo murag niutong kini sa kakuyaw ug dead on arrival na pagdala sa tambalanan,” said Gerwin Yudelmo who visited Maricel in Tabok, Mandaue City.
Like other Boholanos, Maricel and others were dependent of relief goods from the government and other generous people.
Gerwin, a call center agent in Cebu, initiated a fundraising campaign for stranded Boholanos in Cebu.
Last Easter Sunday, Gerwin and LGU Volunteer Leader from Talibon Denmark Fernandez,
went to Maricel to extend condelences and extend P1,500 cash.
“Naluoy ko ug sakit kaayo akong na-feel kay nabati nako ang kasakit nga gibati ni Maricel sa dihang nag-estorya mi,” said Gerwin.
Maricel’s son was buried on Tuesday, April 14.
“Kutob ra jud siya pagtan-aw sa picture sa iyang anak kay dili man siya kauli,” said Gerwin.
She still has to pay for the remaining balance of P9,000 for the coffin.
Meanwhile, Gerwin and fellow Boholanos has never stopped helping.
They provided other stranded Boholanos with grocery items.
“Sa makaya lang sa among budget, pasiunang tabang lang una,” Gerwin said.
Gerwin and his group continue to help them. To donate, you may text or call Gerwin at 09398713819.
To help Maricel,
you may also contact her thru 09565995921.
