4 siblings reunite with isolated pa

CEBU, Philippines — Four young siblings and their father, a truck driver, were finally reunited after the COVID-19 pandemic had forced them apart.

Junjie Bercero, who was isolated for 14 days after being considered as a person under monitoring for COVID-19, returned home in Minglanilla town, southern Cebu on May 26.

Minglanilla Councilor Roy Nacario said it was an “emotional reunion” for the father and his kids ages 14, 9, 5 and 1 year and seven months.

“The kids were crying non-stop,” the official said.

The kids were left alone in their house after their mother died of hypokalemia and their father was placed in isolation.

Bercero lost his wife a day after being rushed to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City last May 9.

His wife was buried right away at a public cemetery in Carreta, Cebu City.

She died of hypokalemia, a condition in which the level of potassium in the blood becomes very low.

She was tested negative for COVID-19, contrary to a report of a national broadcast network that she died of COVID-19, said Nacario.

The kids were not able to pay their last respects to their mother since they are under the 24-hour curfew and not allowed to cross borders under the community quarantine period.

Offers

Contractor Jonas Adlawan, in an interview with The FREEMAN, offered Bercero a job. Bercero is reportedly not a regular employee of the company he is working with.

Adlawan is set to meet with Bercero and Nacario to properly discuss the offer.

The contractor based in Minglanilla is also willing to provide shelter for the family, who is currently renting a house in Purok Kalubihan, Sitio Panaghiusa-Dos in Barangay Tunghaan.

The said family is originally from Ozamiz City, but moved to Cebu three years ago in hopes of looking for greener pastures.

Aside from shelter and job offers, Adlawan said he will also help the kids continue pursuing their education.

“Naluoy kaayo ko nila maong ni-offer kog tabang. Hopefully, makastorya na nako siya para among matabangan,” said Adlawan.

Bercero thanked all those who helped them, especially their neighbors and Nacario who took turns in looking after the kids.

Marjun, the eldest of four kids, also thanked their neighbors for treating them like family, as well as the generous donors who gave them food to eat and toys to play and money for other needs, such as milk and diapers.   KQD (FREEMAN)