Villar sponsors eye operation for maritime scholar

The father of a maritime school scholar yesterday expressed gratitude to Nacionalista Party president and standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar for sponsoring his son's eye operation, the success of which allowed him to enroll and enjoy his scholarship.

Eladio Matibag, a rank-and-file Navy officer stationed at Sangley Point in Cavite , personally thanked Villar for his son Emmanuel's eye procedure at the American Eye Center in Mandaluyong City .

"Physical impairment should not hinder a person's capacity to pursue his or her dreams and aspirations, especially one that can be corrected. There are many Emmanuels out there who can realize their ambitions and full potential with a little help from the Good Samaritan in all of us," Villar said.

Emmanuel, 16, was on his scheduled check-up at the center when the senator made a surprise visit.

The young Matibag was myopic or near-sighted and could not enroll though awarded with a scholarship at the Maritime Academy of Asia-Pacific in Bataan. An operation called the Lasik procedure would correct this impairment, but it costs around P70,000.

Being the son of two government employees, his mother being a public school teacher, Emmanuel's family could not afford the operation which, if not undertaken, would forfeit his scholarship in the academy.

"But hearing Emmanuel's story inspired me to extend a helping hand, especially when it reminds me of my own experiences when I was young. We were also poor, which to most is a handicap. But I did not allow that to stand in the way of pursuing success," Villar said.

With the assistance of the senator, Emmanuel underwent a successful the Lasik operation performed by Dr. Jack Arroyo of the American Eye Center last Dec. 11.

The patient's case was referred to the center by Dr. Guenn Bondoc, an optometrist for the Navy where the elder Matibag worked.

It was also Arroyo who informed the Matibags that it was Villar who covered the cost of the procedure, their son being deserving of such help.

Emmanuel, the eldest among three children, now has a perfect 20/20 vision and more than eligible for enrollment at the maritime academy.

He will commence studies as a freshman in April, majoring in Nautical Engineering, and was chosen as one of the scholars out of 8,000 applicants.

"I am happy that I can be of help to Emmanuel and his family. The feeling of seeing a child succeed because an impairment had been removed is priceless. I am sure he will make his parents and siblings proud one day," Villar said.