9-year old boy with COVID-19 in Cebu cries while praying after being isolated from his family

A nine-year-old boy in Cebu who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was seen crying while praying after he was isolated from his family for more than a week now.

According to a Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho episode on Sunday, Gabriel, not his real name, has been in the isolation center with hundreds of other patients.

Although his family communicates with him through text messages and calls, Gabriel still misses them.

Gabriel’s mom shared, “Sobrang sakit, ni hindi mo man siya mayakap, hindi mo siya mahalikan, hindi mo siya makatabi dahil malayo siya."

(It hurts so much. I can’t even hug my son, I can’t even kiss him, I can’t be beside him because he’s far away)

Beginning of isolation

Gabriel said it all started last April. He had a fever and his nose bled.

He soon went with his uncle to get tested for COVID-19. Their barangay is one of the barangays to have the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cebu.

After a week, the test confirmed that he was positive with COVID-19.

His father said, “Mas okay pa na sa akin na lang dumapo ang sakit kaysa sa aking anak ang makaranas kasi ang bata pa niya," his father said.

(It would've been better if I got the virus instead. My son is too young.)

Gabriel was the only one in the family who tested positive. He shared that he felt like crying when he found out he was COVID-19 positive.

But he remained faithful to the Lord, "Hindi sila makakapasok dahil meron akong Panginoon na nagbabantay."

(They can't enter because I have the Lord to protect me)

Longing for family

Gabriel was the youngest of four children. His father was unemployed while his mother sold porridge.

A year after Gabriel was born, their entire house was burned down. Then, Gabriel’s brother died of a urinary tract infection.

But Gabriel gave his family hope.

His grandfather shared that after coming from school, Gabriel would always read the Bible until he fell asleep.

Making room for change

Gabriel shared that he and his cousin would pray together via video call before they slept.

Gabriel said, “Hindi Siya nagpapakita. Babantayan lang Niya ako kung may virus. ‘Yung aming pagsamba aalis ang demonyo at ang virus. Siya ang aking lakas (The Lord doesn't make Himself seen. He just protects me from the virus. With our prayers, the demons and virus would go away. He is my strength).”

Their neighbor “Lea,” who was also a COVID-19 patient, shared that when she saw him, he kept crying and asking for his parents and grandparents.

A video of Gabriel crying and praying went viral.

Genelyn,who uploaded the video, shared, “Marami kaming umiiyak nakatingin sa kanya. Naawa kasi lumuhod siya, tapos kumakaway ang kamay niya, tapos kumakanta, umiiyak (A lot of us cried while looking at him. Our hearts broke because he was on his knees. He was crying and singing)."

Fortunately, there were people who helped Gabriel and his family out. The church of Jesus Miracle Crusade recently gave his family groceries and vitamins.

Although Gabriel remains isolated from his family as he fights the disease, he remains faithful.

"Panginoong Hesukristo, gagaling ako rito para makalabas ako (Lord Jesus Christ, I will get better here so I can finally go back to my family).” — Kaela Malig/LA, GMA News