The inspiring story of Dr. John Nico Ronquillo, who passed the 2019 Physician Licensure Exam caught the attention of the netizens.
He recently took to social media to express his never-ending gratitude to his single mom, Nenita Ronquillo, for raising him all by herself and for all the sacrifices she made just to send him to Med School.
According to the newly licensed doctor, his mother is a fish vendor in a market in Cavite City, where he grew up. But although his mother only earns little by selling and the job was physically demanding, this didn’t stop her to fulfill his son’s dream of becoming a doctor.
“Sa tatlompu’t isang taon, hindi niya ako iniwan, hindi niya ako binitawan, lahat kinaya ni Mama para sa akin. Siya ang inspirasyon ko, siya yung malaking bahagi na humubog sa pagkatao ko, siya ‘yung nagsilbing sandigan ko sa lahat ng oras. Siya yung naging gabay ko,” he wrote on Facebook.
He added, “Ma, ako naman po Ang bahala sa inyo. Ako na po ang magtataguyod sa iyo, Ako na po ang magsisilbi sayo, ako na po ang mag-aalaga sa inyo, ako na po ang magbibigay katuparan sa lahat ng pangarap mo para sa atin.
“Hindi mo po na kailangang mangutang, Hindi na rin masusugatan Ang mga kamay mo, Ma, Hindi na mawawala Ang mga ngiti sa labi mo.”
The young student took his medicine course at Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation.
But before he studied medicine, John Nico also did his share in finding the money for the family and supporting himself in school. He first worked for a review center to finance his studies, and after that, he worked as a singer in a restaurant and even do a part-time in photography just to save some money.
While studying, John Nico experienced another obstacle when his grandmother became ill. He decided to stop studying to take care of her, but eventually, his grandmother passed away.
“Kinailanagan niya ng maraming treatment at gamutan. Dahil ako ang nagiisang nasa medical field sa pamilya, lahat ng desisyon ukol sa kanya ay sa akin isinasangguni,” he continued.
After that incident, he resumed his studies but later on faced another trial in terms of finances.
“Nalagpasan ko ang third year first semester ngunit hindi ko na nagawang makapagpatuloy para sa susunod na semester dahil sa kakulangan ng resources,” John Nico shared.
“Humingi ako ng tulong sa aking paaralan, sa mga pulitiko, at sa mga kakilala dahil nanghihinayang ako sa lahat ng pinaghirapan ko,” he added.
“Dito ko naisipan na magtinda ng snacks sa school. Namimili ako ng mga snacks sa Divisoria at nirerepack ko kasama ng aking nanay. Ibinabyahe ko iyon mula Cavite hanggang Fairview upang makadagdag sa aking pambayad.”
He went on to share that there was a time that he almost gave up because, despite all that he has done, it’s still not enough to support his studies.
“Nagsimula na po ako manghina at mawalan ng pag-asa. Muli po akong nagtanong, saan ako kukuha ng ganitong halaga? Paano na ang pangarap ko? Paano na ang nanay ko?”
On the last day of their enrollment, he went to the school and was so happy that he was allowed by the school admin to enroll even without full payment.
And now that he’s already a licensed doctor, Dr. John Nico promised to pay back all of his mother’s sacrifices and would take care of her and provide her everything to make her life better.
“Sobrang pasasalamat lang po ang gusto ko iparating sa kanya. Dahil para sa kanya naman po lahat ng ito. Yung tagumpay ko po ay tagumpay niya. Gagawin ko po lahat para sa kaniya,” Dr. John Nico told ABS-CBN News.
Source: news.abs-cbn