With a condition called atelectasis that affects his lungs, 20-year-old Noel Soledad experiences difficulties in breathing. But even with his difficult condition, he lives in the streets because he already lost his mother and his relatives were afraid they might get his condition.
Noel explained that his sickness is not contagious but everyone was just too scared of him. So, he’s been living in the streets of Metro Manila for nearly a decade, finding home in public spaces such as the Bonifacio Shrine and Luneta Park.
Relying on the mercy of others for survival, Noel refused to give up. Though he lives in the streets, this did not stop him from trying his best to go to school. Thanks to determination, he is now studying at the Technological University of the Philippines as a Graphic Arts and Print Media Technology in his first year.
Photo credit: Boc Damian / Facebook
With 3 years to go before he can graduate from college, that is if he can support himself and graduate on time, many people were telling him to just quit and enjoy his life. Those years are going to be long and difficult, he was told; thus, these people told him he is best off with using his time and energy to have fun, instead.
Since he is sick, many believe that he didn’t have much of a future left. Despite the many discouragement he hears, Noel refuses to give up.
“Madaming nag sasabi sa akin na itigil ko na itong aking pag-aaral, dahil para saan pa nga ba ang igugugol na oras at gastos pati nadin ang pagod ng naghihingalo kong katawan na iaalay ko sa tatlong taon pang pag pasok sa eskwela, kung sa sandaling panahon at oras mo na lamang maapakan ang iyong lupang sinilangan,” he wrote on Facebook through his friend, Boc Damian.
“Ako po ay na diagnosed ng sakit na tinatawag na ATALECTASIS – Uri ng sakit sa baga na walang lunas ngunit ito’y hindi naman nakakahawa. Dahil nga sa pinandidirian ng karamihan.. Ang masaklap pa nga’y pati sariling kadugo’y isinuka’t pinabayaang mag palaboy-laboy na lamang sa lansangan. Pinasasalamatan ko nga pala Yung mga tropa kong minsan pinapatulog ako sa kanilang tirahan pero madalas sa Bonifacio Shrine ako nag papalipas ng gabi minsa’y sa Luneta park na halos dekada ko ng sistema.”
While many people didn’t believe in him, he hopes that netizens will help his cause and send him to school.
Photo credit: Boc Damian / Facebook
“Ngunit sa kabila ng mga delubyong eksenang nagaganap sa buhay kong pansamantala, nais ko paring makapagtapos ng kolehiyo ng sa gayon, mabigyang puri ko ang aking Inang namayapa na at para rin lang mapatunayan ko sa sarili, na KAHIT GAANO KAHIRAP NA PAGSUBOK ITONG AKING DINADAMDAM, HINDING HINDI KO ITO SUSUKUAN BAGKUS AKING ILALABAN, DAHIL PARA SAAKIN “ANG KAALAMAN AY SYANG NAG-TATANGING YAMAN NA MERON AKO.
Sana’y masuportahan, matulungan, at mabigyang pansin nyo ako aking mga kabayan!!”
To support Noel, message him directly via his Facebook account, Noel Soledad.
Good luck, young man! Don’t give up on your dreams…
