Wish Stories

7 Year-old Boy Gets Wish to Become a 'Priest'

Apr. 13, 2003
By Blanche S. Rivera
Inquirer News Service

THE EDSA Shrine, a homage to People Power I that toppled a dictator and venue of People Power II that ousted an impeached president, on Sunday became the place where a young boy battling cancer fulfilled his dream.

Jose Magtanggol "Tanggol" Manalili, 7, got his wish and became a "priest" at the Edsa Shrine, a site declared holy ground by the Vatican two years ago.

Tanggol, who suffers from Acute Myelogenous Leukemia M5, joined Auxiliary Bishop Socrates Villegas in celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in the jampacked shrine.

He wore a priest's vestment and cap, and was seated near the altar, along with 15 young girls and boys who were given a day as little nuns and priests.

Tanggol made his first confession and received his first communion from Villegas at the historic site. It was the first time he met the bishop. The boy said he wanted to be like Villegas someday.

"He knows his Catholic faith . . . What excites him is not even getting healed but pleasing God and never being separated from Him," Villegas said during his homily, referring to Tanggol.

The bishop asked the parishioners to extend their hands to the sick boy and pray for his "total healing." Those who attended the Mass also gave Tanggol a standing ovation.

Even as the attention was focused on him, Tanggol remembered another brother, who was confined at the Philippine General Hospital due to typhoid fever. "I am happy . . . (but) I hope my brother and I will get well," Tanggol said in an interview during a party for him after the Mass.

Tanggol is the fourth of six children of Bettina and Hector, who are both active members of the Immaculate Conception parish at the BF Resort in Paranaque.

As a tribute to the holy family, two of the children, including Tanggol, were named Jose. Three were named Maria and the youngest was named Jesus.

All are active in the parish either as altar boys or as choir members. Tanggol assists the priests every Sunday, depending on his assignment. "We can't go anywhere because he is sick, so he just goes to church," Bettina said.

Last year, Tanggol stopped schooling. His cancer is in remission, but he has to undergo maintenance chemotherapy every two weeks until 2005.

Bettina had to quit her job to attend to Tanggol and use her retirement benefits for her son's medication. Her husband works for Couples for Christ and occasionally brokers car sales.

Due to financial difficulties, the family was not able to finance Tanggol's treatment the past years, according to Bettina. This was probably the reason his cancer came back, she said.

Tanggol is the 208th kid whose wish was granted by Make-a-Wish, a group dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.

Tanggol may also get his other wish. He is scheduled to go to Pizza Hut after a two-hour shopping spree at Toy Kingdom on April 27. He will share the toys with the children in his community as it is also his wish to make his playmates happy