John Mark Nasih, a 5th grade student, brings his mother to school every day. With his 12-year-old body, he pushes his mom’s wheelchair so they could get to school and he could attend his classes, while still taking care of her.
At a young age, Jhon Mark has taken full responsibility of taking care of his mother, Alma, who is diagnosed with Cerebal Palsy when she was 17 years old.
"Nagkaroon po ako ng condition noong 17 years old po ako. Nagising na po ako at hindi na po ako makalakad. Siyempre nakikisama na po ako sa mga kamag-anak ko, siyempre po wala na pong nag-aalaga sa akin,” said Alma Nasih.
Jhon Mark simultaneously prepares breakfast and bathes his mom first thing in the morning before they head out to his school.
If not through their neighbor's food donations, Jhon Mark and Alma would loan from stores to be able to eat.
Their everyday routine starts with John Mark bringing out the wheelchair and Alma trying to stand up on her own and go outside of their house.
"Sanay na, para din ma-exercise ang katawan," Jhon Mark said.
Once the wheelchair is settled on a flat surface, Alma would sit on it and John Mark would start his long walk and push to school.
Even on rainy days, the mother and son continue to do their routine, with Jhon Mark holding the umbrella over his mom.
After their 30-minute walk to school, Jhon Mark would leave Alma outside the canteen. She would wait here for six hours until her best friend, one of the school's teachers, comes out, gives her lunch, and spends some time with her.
"Binibigyan ko na ng pagkain si Alma. Best friends na nga kami niyan," said Teacher Felissa Bragado, who has been keeping Alma company since 2014.
Jhon Mark studies hard because he dreams to become a doctor, and one day cure his own mother from her sickness.
For Alma, she wants to help her son finish school as long as she’s still here.
"Ang gusto ko lang ay makapasok sa eskuwela ang anak ko at makatapos lang siya sa kolehiyo para hindi na siya mahihirapan paglaki niya. 'Yun lang din po ang pangarap ko sa kanya. Hindi habambuhay na nandito ako."
Alma said she never fails to remind her son to study hard, she said she would do anything in her power to send him to school.
"Lagi ko siyang sinasabihan, ‘Mag-aral ka lang mabuti, anak, kahit papano. Kahit high school ka lang kung hanggang kaya ko. Kung hanggang kaya kong paaralin ka, lalapit ako sa mga gobyerno.’”
After his classes, Jhon Mark would pick up his mother and together, they would start walking back home past 5 p.m.
It hasn't always been like this for the mother and son. According to Jhon Mark, their hardships befell them when they lost his father to dengue in 2008.
"Na-dengue po kasi siya e. Tapos hindi ko naagapan dahil walang pera, tapos wala pa akong lakas ng loob n'un na lumapit sa ibang tao. N'ung nawala na ang asawa ko, ako na lang mag-isa ang gumagawa ng paraan para sa aming mag-ina,” Alma said.
If they don't earn money from selling collectible items, they ask for alms just to survive. And if they don't receive enough, they would go to great lengths like going to an orphanage to ask for help and give them temporary shelter.
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