Wish Stories
The sole purpose of Make-A-Wish® Philippines is to create hope and happiness for children and young people with life threatening illnesses.
Meet the youngest officer of the PNP: Marky Cortezo, 5 years old
Wish to be a policeman, granted with the help of the Philippine National Police
Diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura or ITP, a condition of having abnormally low blood platelet counts of no known cause, which can lead to an increased risk of bleeding and large skin bruises, 5 year old Marky may be too young to understand the severity of his illness. But as young and unwitting as he is, Marky already knows what he wants in life, and that is to be a policeman. With the help of the Philippine National Police, Make-A-Wish® Philippines turns Marky’s wish into reality. On November 14, the PNP, headed by PNP Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, welcomes Marky into its ranks by awarding him with the PNP Badge of Honor and making him an honorary policeman.
The wish-grant was an exciting and very memorable day for all. Marky was a special attendee at the PNP Monday Flag Raising Ceremony at the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, which was also the celebration of the PNP Civil Security Group Anniversary. In his new custom-fit police uniform, police hat and new shoes, Marky joined the parade and had two battalions salute him. Little Marky was a breath of fresh air to the usual early morning routine of the steadfast policemen and policewomen of the PNP. Upon recognition of Marky as honorary policeman, the PNP surprised him with a special present – a special edition PNP remote control car! Afterwards, he had the chance to ride an actual PNP patrol car, and spent the rest of his day touring the PNP grounds.
This wish-grant is reminiscent of ‘The First Wish’ that gave birth to the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. Read more about ‘The First Wish’ on our website http://www.makeawish.org.ph/about.html
View photos from Marky’s day at the PNP here
37 days ago
I wish to be a Pilot.
Wish granted with the help of Fliteline Aviation School, owned by Captain Jerry Perlada
He has always wanted to be a pilot, since he was in Grade 1. And he’s been very consistent whenever anyone asks what he wishes to be”, shares mommy Evelyn about her 11-year old son Vic. Just last year, Vic Velasco was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a disease in which malignant cells form in nerve tissue of the adrenal gland, neck, chest or spinal cord. In Vic’s case, the malignant cells have affected his right eye which will have to be surgically removed to stop the cancer and save his life. It is sad and ironic that Vic’s vision is one of the most important prerequisites for him to fulfil his wish of becoming a pilot in the future.
The predicament of Vic’s illness does not cloud his special day at the Plaridel Airport where he is brought by Make-A-Wish® Philippines to make the impossible happen and to let him live his dream. Friends at Fliteline Aviation School in Plaridel, Bulacan prepare a fun day of ground training, flight simulation and flight training where Vic gets to fly an actual plane! Together with co-pilot and flight instructor Capt. Marcus Francisco, Vic flies around and over the neighboring cities of Plaridel. His feat fulfillingly ends with his trainor, Capt. Rommel Flores, awarding him with a Certificate of Course Completion and officially welcoming him as an elite member of the aviation community with a Gold Wings pin. “Only pilots who have flown an airplane are given and have the right to wear ‘wings’,” Capt. Rommel says to a beaming and confident 11-year old boy. “And even without your right eye, you can still teach.” Rommel’s wish to be a pilot has been fulfilled and he can now look forward to becoming an aviation instructor someday.
Fliteline Aviation concentrates on full-time live-in Pilot training courses. Their training courses comply with all requirements laid down by the Air Transportation Office of the Philippines, Federal Aviation Authority and International Civil Aviation Organization. Our wish-granter Captain Jerry Perlada, one of the founders of Fliteline Aviation, is a captain of an Airbus for Philippine Airlines and previously flew in general aviation as charter pilot.
37 days ago
Erica Lei’s wish to be a Fashion Designer Comes True MAKE-A-WISH® PHILIPPINES Grants its 1000th Wish
Erica Lei dela Cruz, from Abra up North of the Philippines, celebrated her thirteenth birthday on September 9 and like every young girl, she has wishes and dreams. Her most ardent wish is to be a fashion designer. However, hers is not a normal childhood. Abandoned by her mother and cared for by her kind relatives, she has made it to graduate from elementary school. Unfortunately, last year Erica had to undergo a triple brain surgery. Diagnosed with brain tumor Medulloblastoma, she was affected by one of the most common malignant (cancerous) central nervous system tumors in children. It affects 1 in 5 (20%) children worldwide. Medulloblastomas are tumors located in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance and other complex motor functions. Surely, hers is a telenovela in the making but all is not lost for Erica for kindness abounds in her fellow Filipinos.
On her birthday, Erica realized her greatest dream. Thanks to Make-A-Wish® Foundation Philippines, she was given a week to work on her own creations and watch them come to life full monty (fashion shoots, models and paparazzi). Together, she and renowned fashion designer Rajo Laurel planned her original designs which the House of Laurel helped to create. Like the world of fashion, a team of professionals from the industry produced a fashion shoot with her and her creations. Erica showed off her design to volunteers, benefactors and friends at her birthday party put together by the foundation at The Peninsula Manila’s Salon de Ning. It was a happy celebration indeed for Erica’s 13thbirthday and will be one of her most memorable.
Make-A-Wish® Philippines is an organization run by volunteers. This wish granting activity was made possible with planning from numerous volunteers and extra help from model and wish-granter Teresa Herrera, Rajo Laurel, photographer Sara Black, and other generous sponsors such as Metrobank Foundation, Metrobank Credit Card Corporation, The Peninsula Manila and Metro Magazine.
Make-A-Wish® Philippines provides children with life threatening illnesses hope for better times and happiness that each child deserves by granting their most ardent wish. Erica is the lucky recipient of the 1000th wishgrant by Make-A-Wish® Philippines which makes wishes come true for children who have life threatening diseases to infuse hope, strength, and joy in their lives.
37 days ago
My wish is to become a Photographer.
Wish granted with the help of Sara Black, Sara Black Photography, and Canon Marketing Philippines
Ellaine,14 years old, suffers from leukaemia. Her favorite diversion, something that makes her feel just like any average teenager, is taking pictures. She loves taking pictures and it was no surprise to her family when she said that she wished to be a photographer.
On her wish day put together by Make-A-Wish® Philippines, Ellaine went to Sara Black Photography Studio to meet former model and now known fashion photographer Ms. Sara Black. Her shyness and nervousness disappeared after Sara’s warm welcome. To start off the wish-granting, the Make-A-Wish® Philippines wish team together with Canon Philippines representatives surprised Ellaine with a brand new digital camera – a Canon Powershot SX20. Sara showed Ellaine the features and functions of her camera and proceeded to mentor her about the basics in photography. With her new camera and her new knowledge in photography, Ellaine felt like a pro, taking pictures in an indoor and outdoor photoshoot set up for her by Sara and her staff. After the photoshoots, Ellaine got to tour a custom laboratory where she saw different printers, saw what a dark room looks like and how photographs were printed. At the end of the wish-grant, Sara Black gave photography books to Ellaine from which she can draw more inspiration.
“I am so happy to see Ellaine’s dream come true and thankful for everyone’s generosity in making this wish a reality,” Ellaine’s mother shared with the Make-A-Wish® volunteers. “We will never forget this. My family cannot thank Make-A-Wish® and all of its kind supporters enough for what they have given us.”
Ellaine was beside herself with joy for the entire afternoon and the experience confirmed that she definitely wants to be a photographer one day.
Visit our Facebook page for more photos and videos https://www.facebook.com/pages/Make-A-Wish-Philippines/253448188026008
For more information about Make-A-Wish® Philippines, on how to donate or volunteer, email us at info@makeawish.org.ph or call the office at +632-8563744.
37 days ago
