Widowed father of triplets pleads for breastmilk donations

A father who lost his wife shortly after childbirth is asking for breastmilk donations for the three babies she left behind.

According to a report on "Unang Hirit," Joel Regal's wife, April, passed away just one day after giving birth to triplets via emergency C-section.

Without their mother by his side, the father took to Facebook to ask if anyone had any breastmilk to spare for his three little ones.

Joel couldn't help but get emotional during the interview, especially when he recalled how excited his wife was to see their three little angels.

"I can't really accept it because she was so excited," he said in Filipino. "She was excited to see her children and just like that she was gone."

Despite the pain, Joel tries his best to stay strong especially now with three children to care for.

"All I want is to be with them, to hold them; I'm happy just to see their smiles," he said.

Fortunately, Joel's earnest call for help inspired netizens to send not only breastmilk but also clothes and diapers as well.

"I hope to give them breastmilk for the first six months, because there's nothing like mother's milk when it comes to nutrition," he said.

"That's why I'd like to say thank you very much to everyone who has been messaging us to donate."

—Margaret Claire Layug/MGP, GMA News