During tough times, some of the best people to look for inspiration are those who have succeeded through challenges themselves. There’s no question to the amount of inspiration that Coco Martin brings to his fans from all walks of life. And in an episode of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs’ program, “Tao Po” hosted by Bernadette Sembrano, the Primetime King touched the lives and passed on happiness to a father and his ailing son.

The story narrated by ABS-CBN reporter Raphael Bosano features Daddy Juni, a freelance photographer who has gone viral after offering his services online for any amount clients could afford just so he could raise funds for his sick child.

Juni’s typical day begins at 4 am. He wakes up earlier than his wife and kids to prepare their breakfast and leave the house early to avoid heavy traffic en route to a church in Makati where he usually does liturgical work as a photographer. But he also covers weddings, graduation, and other events.

Juni’s son, Axel, passed away in 2019 at the age of 17, due to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a hereditary condition that weakens all muscles in the body leading to difficulty in breathing and inability to walk. Daddy Juni turned emotional as he recalled Axel’s eight-year battle with the disease. He remembers taking their last family photo with him.

Unfortunately, Juni’s youngest son, Angel, also inherited the disease and has been in a wheelchair for two years now.

Juni’s job as a photographer is their family’s only source of income, and they barely make ends meet because of Angel’s medication which costs around 3, 000 pesos per week, apart from their monthly bills, food, and education of his other children. “Minsan po sasabihin ko sa kanila na may pamasahe pa ako pero sa totoo lang nanghiram lang ako ng pamasahe para makauwi,” shared Juni. Sometimes he’d skip meals to save his food allowance for Angel’s medicine.

Despite the tests, he never loses faith. He seizes every moment spent with his family, especially Angel. He tries, as much as possible, to immerse Angel in the beauty of the world even though it’s difficult to take Angel outside due to his condition.

One of their favorite bonding moments is watching television, specifically Coco Martin’s shows. Juni shared that his sons, Axel and Angel, have always been huge fans of Coco since Juan dela Cruz to FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. Now, Angel is a passionate follower of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. He would be very glad to meet Coco in person. And it finally happened.

Angel was excited to meet Tanggol himself on the set of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. In turn, Coco was delighted to meet his young fan and make him happy.

He imparted encouraging words to Daddy Juni, expressing empathy as he once went through challenging times as well. “Ang pinakamasakit na bagay ay ‘yung magkaroon ka ng problema sa pamilya mo na hindi masolusyunan ng kahit na sino o kahit gaano pa karaming pera,” said Coco.

He told Daddy Juni, “Kung anuman ang pinagdadaanan mo, ‘Tay, alam ko ‘yan, ‘yung handa kang gawin ang lahat para sa pamilya mo. “

Coco also granted Angel’s wish to appear in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano by casting him and Daddy Juni as jeepney passengers in one scene with Coco’s character, Tanggol himself, and his squad.

Of course, Daddy Juni immortalized the happy moment through photograph. “Mapapasayaw ka sa sobrang saya po. Hindi ko makakalimutan ang araw na ‘to kung paano napasaya ni Direk Coco si Angel, kami pong lahat, kaming mag-asawa po,” he smiled.

But, even happier was his son, Angel, who said, “Itong araw na ito po ‘yung pinakamasaya at best day sa buhay ko po.”

*Photos credit to cocomartin_ph IG