'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho' at 20: A 6-year-old boy in Zamboanga del Sur and his 'miracle-like' recovery from Hirschsprung's Disease

"Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" (KMJS), GMA Network's award-winning public affairs show and multi-platform leader, is celebrating its 20th year this 2024, and it continued its mission of telling the stories of real lives and communities of the Filipino people.

In its latest episode, the KMJS team looked back on the case of JL, a six-year-old boy from Zamboanga who suffered from an unnaturally swollen stomach due to Hirschsprung's Disease.

JL's story aired on KMJS in February, where his parents, Lynie and James, detailed their son's hardships due to his condition.

Back then, JL sometimes stayed by the door to look outside, which was the only way he could experience the world.

At night, he also struggles to sleep. To try and ease his pain, his parents would tap or squeeze his stomach.

After JL's story aired on KMJS, donations poured for their family, which they used to fund his operation.

Nine months later, the KMJS team with Jessica Soho returned to Zamboanga del Sur to get an update on JL's condition. To Soho's surprise, the JL who then couldn't get up on his own can now stand and walk after surgery.

JL's mom happily shared with Soho the improvements her son has been experiencing since the surgery.

“Kahit saan na siya magpunta," Lynie said. "Nakakagala na po siya."

[He can go anywhere now; he can freely roam around.]

She also narrated that upon arriving in the operating room for JL's surgery, the doctor told them that JL has a 50-50 chance of surviving the operation.

His surgery took almost two hours, and the brave boy powered through.

“Milagro talaga,” Lynie said.

[It really is a miracle.]

Lynie then thanked KMJS for featuring JL, which paved the way for his treatments.

“Masaya kami kasi na-feature kami sa KMJS. Marami pong tumulong sa amin kahit hindi po namin sila kilala,” she said.

[We're very thankful that KMJS featured our son’s story because many people helped us even though we didn't know them.]

JL has two more upcoming operations to fully treat his Hirschsprung's Disease.

Through his progress after his first surgery, he can attend school beginning next academic year.

Aside from JL's operation and other medical needs, the donations have helped them improve their house and fund a piggery business.

JL was just among those who live in far-flung areas that KMJS helped by featuring their lives through the program.

“Nawa, dumating ang araw na lahat nabibigyan ng karampatang tulong at aksyon at hindi yung mga naibabahagi lang ang kanilang mga kuwento sa publiko,” Soho concluded.

[Hopefully, the day will come when everyone is given help, not just those who share their stories with the public.] — CDC, GMA Integrated News