Man attaches empty water gallon container to his colostomy bag using a washing machine hose

In a “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” episode on Sunday, John Paul shared that people would always ask him what was inside his backpack because he brought it everywhere.

To prevent further complications, John Paul’s intestines had to be exposed. Since then, he’s had to use colostomy bags, a plastic bag where toxins from his digestive tract are released.

To save on medical expenses, he started using an empty water gallon container that’s connected to a washing machine hose which is then connected to an actual colostomy bag. This way, he shares, they would not need to change his colostomy bag so often.

According to John Paul, this setup saves his life on a daily basis.

Because the hose can be seen connected from his body to his bag, people get curious.

John Paul said he had been carrying the bag around for three years now, since he was in Grade 11.

“Naiyak po ako kasi parang ’yung mga tao po diring-diri sa akin (It hurts seeing people look at me with disgust.)”

John Paul was diagnosed with acute appendicitis in 2019.

He underwent appendectomy, but the bacteria spread to different parts of his stomach, so his intestines had to be exposed.

The doctors later found out that the acute appendicitis was a result of intestinal tuberculosis

For a colostomy bag, John Paul has to shell out PHP1,000 to PHP1,500 every day.
To prevent the plastic bag attached to his body from getting filled up quickly, they thought of connecting it to the washing machine hose and the water container.
Despite his situation, John Paul said he still tried to find work.

“Nakita ko ’yung mga kapatid ko, may mga pangarap din sila sa buhay nila. ‘Yung nanay ko naman hindi na kaya magtrabaho kasi may edad na (My siblings have big dreams. My mom can’t work anymore because of her age),” John Paul said.

“Nagdadasal ako kay Lord na, ‘sana, Lord, huwag Niyo po muna akong kunin. Huwag Niyo po muna akong pabayaan kasi marami pa po akong goals sa pamilya ko’ (I’d always pray to the Lord, ‘Lord, please don’t let me die yet. I still have so many dreams for my family),” he added.

“Kailangan ko pa po munang tulungan sila bago ako mawala sa mundo. Kailangan ko muna silang i-angat para nang sa ganon, mawala man ako, kaya na nilang tumayo sa sarili nilang mga paa  (I have to help them. I have to make their lives better so that when I’m gone, they can stand on their own).”

John Paul said he just wanted to be normal again so he could help fulfill his family’s dreams.

“Gusto ko ’yung dumating na ’yung araw na unti-unti ko nang tinutupad ’yung pangarap ko para sa pamilya ko (I want the day to come when I would slowly achieve my dreams for my family).”

John Paul’s operation could cost up to PHP380,000.

Upon learning of his situation, the KMJS team offered financial help and brought him to the local government office of San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan.

“Sana matulungan niyo po ako sa pang araw-araw kong medication, sa operasyon, para maging normal na po ako ulit, nang sa ganon matupad ko po ’yung pangarap ko sa pamilya ko at makapagtapos po ako ng pag-aaral (I hope you can help me so I can finish my studies and fulfill the dreams I have for my family),” said John Paul.

For those who want to help John Paul, please deposit to:

BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 2649-3101-46
ACCOUNT NAME: JOHNPAUL ORDOÑA

GCASH ACCOUNT NUMBER: 09614045404
GCASH ACCOUNT NAME: JOHNPAUL ORDOÑA

CONTACT DETAILS:
09563641659- JOHNPAUL ORDOÑA
09636127433- MARY ANN GONZALES
– Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News