People are stranded in Cainta, province of Rizal , eastern Manila .
Aida De Leon grieves in Pasig City , east of Manila .
An aerial view aboard a Philippine Air Force chopper shows devastation brought by Tropical Storm Ketsana in Cainta, province of Rizal , eastern Manila .
Residents are evacuated by police boats during flooding in Cainta Rizal, east of Manila .
A Philippine Air Force aerial shot shows damaged houses in Marikina City , Metro Manila. More than 70 people were killed, Manila was blacked out and airline flights were suspended as a powerful tropical storm battered the main Philippines island of Luzon .
Residents wait to be evacuated from a partially submerged house during flooding in Bocaue, north of Manila .
Thousands of people in the Philippine capital and nearby towns were marooned by flash floods after a strong tropical storm hit the main island of Luzon , disaster officials said.
Residents cross a flooded street with the use of a rope in Quezon City .
A boy is lifted onto the roof of a building to escape the flooding in the Quezon City suburban of Manila . Nearly a month's worth of rain fell in just six hours Saturday, triggering the worst flooding in the Philippine capital in 42 years, which stranded thousands on rooftops in the city and elsewhere.
Residents clamber on electric wires to stay out of floodwaters while others wade neck-deep in Cainta Rizal, east of Manila .
Thank you. Please extend my thanks to Nestle employees...
We will be confined at the PGH- Manila tomorrow (Sept. 27, 2009) per doctor's advice. Its very hard to reserve a private room in PGH considering there are a lot of patients (being a govt hospital).
Please pray for us, and specially Sam. Thanks
/kim
--- On Fri, 9/25/09, Ma. Carla F. Medrano wrote:
From: Ma. Carla F. Medrano
Subject: Re: Please help our daughter "Sam"
To: "ROQUE DELFIN"
Date: Friday, September 25, 2009, 9:39 PM
OUR HEARTS ARE ALWAYS WITH HER. SENT P2,000 FROM MY FRIEND AND HER OFFICEMATES FROM NESTLE LAST WEDNESDAY THROUGH DENNIS. THIS IS JUST A LITTLE AMOUNT.
From: ROQUE DELFIN
Subject: Re: Please help our daughter "Sam"
To: "Ma. Carla F. Medrano"
Date: Saturday, 26 September, 2009, 12:15 PM
Good Morning Ma'am Carla, and Sir Dennis,
We are now in Manila for the scheduled surgery of Sam on Sept. 29, 2009 at PGH.
Thank very much for your support. Please continue to pray for my daughter.
/kim
--- On Fri, 9/18/09, Ma. Carla F. Medrano wrote:
From: Ma. Carla F. Medrano
Subject: Re: Please help our daughter "Sam"
To: "ROQUE DELFIN"
Date: Friday, September 18, 2009, 11:18 PM
Yes we will and please tell sam to write more for her blog.
--- On Sat, 9/19/09, ROQUE DELFIN wrote:
From: ROQUE DELFIN
Subject: Re: Please help our daughter "Sam"
To: "Ma. Carla F. Medrano"
Date: Saturday, 19 September, 2009, 2:07 PM
Thank you for your prayer.
My daughter's is scheduled for surgery on Sept. 29, 2009 at the Phil. General Hospital In Manila. Her doctor's name is DR. ADRIAN CATBAGAN. We will be leaving to manila on Sept. 24, 2009. She will be confined at the hospital (PGH-Manila) on Sept. 26, 2009.
Please for the successful operation and fast recovery of my daughter.
Also, we appreciate your kind assistance by sending our solicitation letters to your friedns since our money is not yet enough as required by the doctor (P1Million.).
Thank you very much.
"kim"
ROQUE H. DELFIN
--- On Mon, 9/14/09, Ma. Carla F. Medrano wrote:
From: Ma. Carla F. Medrano
Subject: Re: Please help our daughter "Sam"
To: "ROQUE DELFIN"
Date: Monday, September 14, 2009, 5:59 AM
May I ask a favor. I know nothing is impossible with God. Let her take communion (bread and wine) together with your family and surrender her healing to him. Do not ask but claim that she is already healed. He is the only one who can do the impossible.
We will continue praying for her. Have faith!
--- On Mon, 9/14/09, ROQUE DELFIN wrote:
From: ROQUE DELFIN
Subject: Re: Please help our daughter "Sam"
To: "Ma. Carla F. Medrano"
Date: Monday, 14 September, 2009, 8:04 PM
She is still in pain which is temporarily sooth by pain relievers.
I brought her to the nearby Malaybalay City in Bukidnon due to cooler climate there as she has difficuty breathing in Cagayan de Oro.
Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He gave me a photocopied copy of an article,entitled, `Asparagus for cancer ' printed in Cancer News Journal, December 1979.
I will share it here, just as it was shared with me: 'I am a biochemist,and have specialized in the relation of diet to health for over 5 years. Several years ago, I learned of the discovery of Richard R.Vensal, D.D.S. that asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked with him on his project. We have accumulated a number of favourable case histories. Here are a few examples:
Case No. 1, A man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise. Case No. 2, A successful businessman 68 years old who suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years. After years of medical treatments, including radiation without improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.
Case No. 3, A man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971, he was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it. By August, x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared. He is back at his regular business routine. *
*Case No. 4, A woman who was troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She finally developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by asking specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus. I was not surprised at this result, as `The elements of Material Medica', edited in 1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones. We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our obtaining some of the records.. I am therefore appealing to readers to spread this good 20news and help us to gather a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy. For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked before using, and therefore canned asparagus is just as good as fresh.
I have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Giant Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or preservatives.
* * PROCEDURE: 1) Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy t make a puree, and store in the refrigerator.
2) Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening.
Patients usually show some improvement in from 2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in some cases.
As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that `what cures can prevent'. Based on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to suit our taste wit breakfast and with dinner. I take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold.
For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our regular checkups.
The last blood survey, taken=2 0by a medical doctor who specializes in the nutritional approach to health, showed substantial improvements in all categories over the last one, and we can attribute these improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink...
As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theorie about cancer. Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth. For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and inacting as a general body tonic. In any event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a harmless substance.
The FDA cannot prevent you from using it and it may do you much good... It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body's most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.
Please spread the news...
...the most unselfish act one can ever do is paying forward all the kindness one has
TALKED WITH HER MOTHER YESTERDAY AND THEY ARE LEAVING TODAY FOR MANILA, GETTING READY FOR HER SURGERY. SHE IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED TO HAVE HER SURGERY ON THE 29TH AT PGH -PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL. I KNOW EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY WITH GOD'S GRACE. PLEASE PRAY FOR HER.
HERE IS A REVISED LETTER FROM HIS FATHER, KIM DELFIN AND A PICTURE OF SAM WITH HER X-RAY ABOVE.
September 01, 2009
Dear Friend,
We need your help for our daughter, Samantha Nicole (14 years old) who is currently suffering and fighting for her life due to SEVERE SCOLIOSIS (65 degrees curve/bend).
We need your help since we are earning just enough for the daily subsistence of our family. We are not endowed with worldly possessions and riches, but we are blessed with three children, our greatest treasure. That is why we are writing you to humbly ask for your support to our 14 year old child, Samantha Nicole, our first born and beloved daughter who is terminally ill.
BRACED AT 10
“Sam”, as we fondly call her, was diagnosed with Scoliosis in 2005. At 20 degrees curve of the spine, the doctor prescribed metal braces and a regular physical therapy. Barely 10 years old, Sam reluctantly put on the metal braces for her back. She understood though that it was for her own well-being.
After a year, while constantly wearing the braces almost 24 hours a day and doing physical therapy three times a week, the illness continued to hound Sam. The spine turned worse as it reached 50 degrees in 2008. Due to the severe condition of Sam’s Scoliosis, the doctor recommended immediate surgery of her spinal column. We were asked to prepare P1Million for the surgery (P400K to P700K the cost of the surgery & other expenses, and P300K for the post surgery expenses).
THE HARSH REALITY
On November 2008, we brought Sam to CebuCity to seek second opinion from another specialist. The doctor from ChongHuaHospital concurred with the doctor from Cagayan de Oro for Sam to undergo immediate surgery. He said that gradually her lungs and other internal organs will be affected too. The doctor told us the harsh reality that Sam is terminally ill and has only more than six months to live if we forego the operation. We were in great shock and as realization set in, we were hit with a tsunami of anguish and sadness.
BRUSH WITH DEATH
Last week, Sam was rushed to the hospital as she had difficulty in breathing. She turned pale white and her arms and legs turned stiff. She suffered severe headaches and back pains. Test results showed that her spinal column, at 65 degrees bend, has reached the critical stage and its progress is at an unprecedented speed. Sam was administered with a higher dose of pain killers. Our hearts were crushed when she mentioned that she likes a lot of white roses beside her coffin. It took a lot of prayers and inspiring words to uplift her broken spirit.
For four years, we have been battling Sam’s illness. I (an employee of a private company) have availed of all the loans there is for the therapy and the cost/ updating of her braces yearly. My wife, who is a public school teacher, has taken a leave of absence from work without pay to take care of Sam. In short, we are financially crippled and in dire straits.
With bended knees, we are knocking on your kind hearts to please help us raise the amount for Sam’s operation. We, my wife and I, are aware that asking around for financial assistance is demeaning, but we set aside all our pride and throw caution to the wind just to save the life of our dearest daughter.
Our fervent prayer is for Sam to live life to the fullest. She dreams of becoming a teacher like her mother and to have her own family. With your assistance, Sam will realize her dreams and will bear witness that you are a kindhearted person, who is instrumental in preserving her life.
Please help us. Please help our daughter. We love her so much. Thank you, truly, deeply. God bless us all.
ROQUE H. DELFIN, Father LOIS O. DELFIN, Mother Contact Number: 09322356414
Home Address: No. 3 Tiano Brothers Street, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
Note: You may send your donations to:c/o Metrobank, Cagayan de Oro Main Branch, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Metrobank CDO MAIN Branch SAVINGS ACCOUNT#209-3-209-20898-0
Account name: ROQUE H. DELFIN ITF Samantha Nicole O. Delfin
Note: You may send your donations to:
MR. AND MRS. ROQUE AND LOIS DELFIN
c/o Metrobank, Cagayan de Oro Main Branch,
Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City,
Philippines.
METROBANK BANK SAVINGS/PASSBOOK ACCOUNT No. 209-3-209-20898-0
Account name: ROQUE H. DELFIN ITF Samantha Nicole O. Delfin
Her name is Samantha Nicole Delfin. A 14-year-old girl who happens to be the daughter of my hubby's officemate who is having severe scoliosis. She is scheduled to have her operation next week in PGH. I am following her blog and feels the pain of her parents.
Here is a copy of her father's letter:
September 01, 2009
Dear Friend,
We need your help for our daughter “Sam”.
We are hardworking parents earning just enough for the daily subsistence of our family. We are not endowed with worldly possessions and riches, but we are blessed with three children, our greatest treasure. That is why we are writing you to humbly ask for your support to our 14 year old child, Samantha Nicole, our first born and beloved daughter who is currently suffering and fighting for her life due to SEVERE SCOLIOSIS.
BRACED AT 10
“Sam”, as we fondly call her, was diagnosed with Scoliosis in 2005. At 20 degrees curve of the spine, the doctor prescribed metal braces and a regular physical therapy. Barely 10 years old, Sam reluctantly put on the metal braces for her back. She understood though that it was for her own well-being.
After a year, while constantly wearing the braces almost 24 hours a day and doing physical therapy three times a week, the illness continued to hound Sam. The spine turned worse as it reached 50 degrees in 2008. Due to the severe condition of Sam’s Scoliosis, the doctor recommended immediate surgery of her spinal column. We were asked to prepare P1Million for the surgery (P400K to P700K the cost of the surgery & other expenses, and P300K for the post surgery expenses).
THE HARSH REALITY
On November 2008, we brought Sam to CebuCity to seek second opinion from another specialist. The doctor from ChongHuaHospital concurred with the doctor from Cagayan de Oro for Sam to undergo immediate surgery. He said that gradually her lungs and other internal organs will be affected too. The doctor told us the harsh reality that Sam is terminally ill and has only more than six months to live if we forego the operation. We were in great shock and as realization set in, we were hit with a tsunami of anguish and sadness.
BRUSH WITH DEATH
Last week, Sam was rushed to the hospital as she had difficulty in breathing. She turned pale white and her arms and legs turned stiff. She suffered severe headaches and back pains. Test results showed that her spinal column, at 65 degrees bend, has reached the critical stage and its progress is at an unprecedented speed. Sam was administered with a higher dose of pain killers. Our hearts were crushed when she mentioned that she likes a lot of white roses beside her coffin. It took a lot of prayers and inspiring words to uplift her broken spirit.
OUR FERVENT PRAYER
For four years, we have been battling Sam’s illness. I have availed of all the loans there is for the therapy and the cost/ updating of her braces yearly. My wife, who is a public school teacher, has taken a leave of absence from work without pay to take care of Sam. In short, we are financially crippled and in dire straits.
With bended knees, we are knocking on your kind hearts to please help us raise the amount for Sam’s operation. We, my wife and I, are aware that asking around for financial assistance is demeaning, but we set aside all our pride and throw caution to the wind just to save the life of our dearest daughter.
Our fervent prayer is for Sam to live life to the fullest. She dreams of becoming a teacher like her mother and to have her own family. She wants to see her parents grow old together and to be a big sister for her brothers. With your assistance, Sam will realize her dreams and will bear witness that you are a kindhearted person, who is instrumental in preserving her life.