QUADRUPLETS TURN ONE YEAR OLD

Kenneth Tongol, their father, is grateful to everyone who has helped him and his livein partner in the past year

BECAUSE quadruplets Kendro, Kenshie, Izeah and Izabelle were born two months early through a Cesarean section, they stayed at the neonatal intensive care unit of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center until their bodies became fully developed.

Kindness of others

According to their father Kenneth Tongol, Kendro came out first, followed by Kenshie and then the two girls. The boys were anemic with Kenshie requiring blood transfusion.

On Sunday, April 28, the quadruplets celebrated their first birthday.

Tongol recalled the financial hardship they faced back then, saying they wouldn’t have been able to get through it without the help of others.

The Cebu Provincial Government shouldered their hospital expenses, he said. Some govlabor ernment officials also gave them cash assistance while strangers gave them diapers and milk.

“Di gyud namo kalimtan ang ilang mga tabang (We will never forget their help),” said Tongol.

Tongol admitted that raising quadruplets and an older daughter is not an easy job.

He and his live-in partner Irene Rodriguez had to make a lot of changes and adjustments when their family of three suddenly became a family of seven.

Making ends meets

Tongol said he and Rodriguez tried to look for work but taking care of the quadruplets made it difficult for them to find one.

He said his and Rodriguez’s family have been helping them with their financial needs.

“Lisod pero kay lagi, blessings man sila (It’s not easy, but they’re gifts from God),” said Tongol.

Tongol said there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing the quadruplets grow healthy.

He said they’re now learning how to talk. The first word that came out of their mouths was “Pa,” he said.

The 34-year-old Tongol hopes to land a job soon so he and his live-in partner can plan a bright future for their family.

He encouraged other parents in a similar bind to fight and never surrender.