Eye from the heart

THEN AND NOW. With the help of Dr. Miramar Bumanglag and other donors, Cruzel Mae Bartolome of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte is given a new artificial eye. (Photo courtesy of Argie Lorenzo)

A pencil scribbled the painful stage in the life of Cruzel Mae Bartolome, four-year old, of Barangay Sangil in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

When she was only one-year old, a pencil accidentally pierced her right eye. Since then, only one eye is making sight possible for Cruzel Mae—a reality which darkened a part of her life.

Initially, she was given an artificial eye. But it was too small that it often fell off from her eye socket. Also, it looked so hideous that sometimes it made her a laughingstock in their neighborhood and in her preschool classes.

Her parents—who are farmers—couldn’t afford to buy her a new artificial eye. But, they didn’t stop looking for ways to ease the pains of Cruzel Mae.

In their desire to find help for their daughter, they approached Argie Lorenzo and Hanz Mabunay. Lorenzo and Mabunay are correspondent and video journalist, respectively, of the news team of GMA Ilocos assigned in Laoag City and Ilocos Norte.

The news team immediately made a feature story on the situation of Cruzal Mae. It was aired in 24 Oras Ilokano, formerly titled Balitang Ilokano.

After the story was aired, help came pouring in. Among those who gave their assistance to Cruzel Mae is Dr. Miramar Bumanglag of Batac City.

Besides her cash donation, Dr. Bumanglag referred her to the ophthalmology department of Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center. The said department carefully studied the case of Cruzel Mae so that she will be given the proper artificial eye.

And after a few days, happiness overflowed on the face of Cruzel Mae—she was given the realization of her wish. Her new artificial eye fits very well that it looks like a real eye. It underscored her beauty, giving her new hope, new life.

The Bartolome family expressed endless gratitude to all who gave them help.

Cruzel Mae has other wishes, like financial assistance for her pursuit for education. Well, the world is full of kind-hearted people, full of God’s instruments—thus, fulfilment of such wishes is not far from her reach.

***

BARD NOTES: Happy bard-reading to Governor Imee Marcos, Laoag City Mayor Chevylle Farinas, Laoag City Vice Mayor Michael Farinas, Provincial Treasurer Josephine Calajate, Laoag City Treasurer Elena Asuncion, Dr. Castor Bumanglag, Dr. Miramar Bumanglag and PNB Laoag Manager Metty Guerrero.

Happy reading also to the members of the Bad Circle Runners and to the employees of AMA Laoag, PNB Laoag, DEPED Laoag and Vertext.

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