Part III: Raphael Inigo's Journey begins--

We were discharged from the hospital on Oct. 14, 2010, a day before his 3rd Month Birthday. As we were on our way home, I was thinking of what we could do to save our son's life. We started messaging our friends and family through social networking sites, cellphones, etc. We had a lot of generous and uplifting replies of support and fund raising activity proposal's. We immediately set different schedules to meet up with our friends so we could plan on how to go about our fund raising campaign. One afternoon, my sister (Ate Iris Z. Duran) suddenly called me up and told me to be at their office on November 12, 2010 at Teletech Lipa, Batangas. She said she was able to schedule a small variety show for us to raise funds.

And so, November 12 came and there we were at Teletech Lipa facing a small stage with a large back drop saying "All for Love" with a caricature of Raphael Inigo together with pictures of toys. The show began with a small invocation leading to a series of songs and dances prepared by my sister's officemates. I was amazed with what these people were doing because I did not know any of them but yet they were exerting so much effort to make the show successful. After all the production numbers were done, they played a short video which made me burst in tears as it was playing. I cried so hard because I felt the love of all the people there and of course of my sister who initiated the activity for us.

Just before the programme ended, my sister's supervisor called me up to the stage and from nowhere she gave me an envelope which was a pass-the-hat collection within their office. I was so grateful and overwhelmed with what they did for us and I would forever be grateful in my heart for all the people from Teletech Lipa who helped us. As we headed home, I realized that nothing is impossible with the Good Lord.

Teletech Lipa's, "All for Love Variety Show" was the beginning of our fund-raising campaign for Raphael Inigo's Journey.

After two weeks, in coordination with Pinoy Hiphoppaz and Butta Flava Entertainment through the efforts of Ms. Janine "Jug" Ramos, Hustle for Inigo: Part I, came to reality. It was on November 28, 2010 at Dekada Bar in Timog, QC where the small community of Hip-hop's came to gather for a cause.

We had an overwhelming number of performances with quite an outstanding appearance of Hip-hop's finest. A few to name were; Ill-J of Sun Valley Crew, Beware and Hi-Jakk of Death Threat, Picazzo, Q-York, Philippine All-Stars, Jonan Aguilar and the Anak Band, Jiego and Juan Republik, and a special appearance of Chill (Philippines original Pinay Rapper) and a lot more to mention.

We were very much overwhelmed with the hiphop community where they exhibited that hiphop is not only loud rap music, gang wars, and getting wasted with liquor and drugs. On that night, it showed pure love and concern for a young baby boy which was battling for his life. The event ended around 4am with everyone exhausted but fulfilled because of the great contribution they have done for Raphael Inigo's Journey.

Christmas Season was fast approaching. Busy streets, bright lights, and Christmas carols started playing in radio stations. One busy work day, my District Manager, Ms. Maricel Baculpo suddenly called me up and asked if she could help out in raising funds for my son. She said that her daughter belonged to Repertory Phils. (Stage Production Company) and there was an ongoing stage play that maybe we could turn into a fund-raising event for my son. We immediately coordinated with Ms. Ayam Barredo of Repertory Phils and one Wednesday afternoon we met up and discussed the details of what we could do.

She said that at the moment all shows were booked, but she could probably get us a special screening of the ongoing play "Sleeping Beauty". I called up my wife, and when we finally decided to go thru with the play we immediately planned the date, time, the ticket prices. The play was to take stage at ONSTAGE Theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati City on December 17, 2010 at exactly 7:00PM.

The next thing we knew, we were selling tickets and scouting for sponsors. My Mom and Dad took the liberty of handling most of the sponsorship's, getting most of them from their CFC Community (special thanks to all our sponsors), while we sold tickets to almost everyone we knew from friends, family, upto people kind-hearted enough just to buy tickets and not even watch (special thanks to Ms. Paula Salvador, Mr. Gian Pascual, and Ms. Anj Yu).

Although it was Christmas Season, and the last day of office for most employees, we highly appreciate all those who came to support our show. "Sleeping Beauty" was the biggest contributor to Rapahel Inigo's Fund and we plan to have other shows to support Raphael Inigo's Journey.

Part II: Expect the unexpected

One afternoon, after a month out of the hospital, I was on my way home when suddenly I received a text message. It was my wife telling me to come home early because Raphael Inigo was having fluctuating temperatures. We never imagined that his simple fever would lead to a long journey in the next few months--

That night we brought him to the nearest hospital for consultation, New Sinai MDI Hospital. While in the ER, lab tests were done to verify the cause of his fever. After a few hours of waiting, we were informed that he has an infection again which needs to be treated in a hospital. I went to the information counter to check for available rooms but unfortunately they had a full house. I called other hospitals even calling up nearby provinces but all were full because of the dengue season. For some reason I forgot to call the hospital about 4 kilometers away from where we were. So, I took chances in calling them up, and luckily they had a vacant room we could use.

We went home to pack up our things. It was around 10:15 p.m. when we were on our way to Perpetual Hospital in Binan, Laguna. As we arrived there, the nurses immediately noticed my son's yellow skin, better known as jaundice. They asked us what happened and I recall telling them he was only having a simple fever and we were advised by the other hospital to have him confined for proper treatment, not knowing that it was not only a simple fever.

We requested to have my wife's pediatrician when she was a child to look after us under his care. We were able to get a room around 2:00 a.m. in the morning and we went off thinking it will only take a couple of days and will be heading home again. The following day, our attending pediatrician, Dr. Angeleo Matela visited us and upon seeing my son his first question was, "How is your son's stool? What color is it?". We told him it was ok and it was color brown, sometimes pale white, or gray. He immediately asked for us to save a diaper with his stool so he can see it. We did what he requested and upon his next visit presented it to him, it was September 15, 2010 (my son's 2nd Month Birthday). Upon seeing it, he sighed and said, "I think it would be best if we refer you to Dr. Cacas (Pedia-Neonatologist) for further evaluation". I can never forget his next few words, he said "With his jaundice and acholic stool, I think your son has Biliary Atresia and it would be best if we could refer him immediately to other specialists in the Philippine General Hospital or Philippine Children's Medical Center". Although I did not know what Biliary Atresia was, I felt this fear that I have never felt before. Around 5:00 p.m. that day, we were visited by Dr. Cacas, and upon seeing my son she confirmed Dr. Matela's initial diagnosis. The next day, Dr. Matela told us that it would be best if we could transfer immediately to PGH. Luckily, I have an uncle who works there (my mom's cousin), Tito Oliver De Mesa. I immediately called him up to inform him of what happened and requested if he could assist us on our transfer to PGH by getting us a room and a doctor to write the admission order of my son. Since PGH was a government hospital, a lot of people were lining up to get a room, may it be in the private room/ward or even in the charity ward. A day passed and we were not able to get a room so my godfather, Ninong Erwin Oliveros, decided to go there and personally wait for vacancy. From 7:00 a.m., it was around 7:25 p.m. of September 17, 2010 when my Ninong Erwin called me up and said there is an available room but we have to be there in two hours or else our reservation would be forfeited. We immediately packed our bags and settled our bill. With the distance from Laguna to Manila, I was calculating if we could make it there within two hours especially on a Friday. We decided to request for an ambulance for faster transportation and we were accompanied by a complete medical staff lead by Dr. Contreras the pedia resident on duty that day.

We arrived at PGH just in time and we were endorsed and admitted under the care of Dr. Lourdes Genuino (Pedia-Gastroenterologist). We met Dr. Genuino the following day and she suggested for lab tests to be done to confirm our son's disease. She immediately scheduled my son for Liver Ultrasound and upon getting the results she suggested he undergo Liver Biopsy which was done on my birthday, September 21. That afternoon we had a small celebration in our room and while I was blowing my cake I was wishing only for the best results to come. The results came in after two days, indicating "Cholestasis with obstructive pattern. Moderate portal fibrosis favor extrahepatic Biliary Atresia". This simply confirms all the doctors diagnosis. During that time I felt like the world was turning its back against me. I had questions lingering on my mind, "Why does this have to happen to my son?? Why now??". I cried for a moment as it was hard for me to accept it at first. She explained that Biliary Atresia was a rare liver disease that happens in 1 out of 15,000 live births. The only way to address this condition permanently is for my son to undergo a liver transplant. I asked Dr. Genuino what can we do and how grave was this condition. She explained to us the gravity of this condition which if not addressed immediately could be fatal. She gave us our options and explained of its consequences. She told us it was not an easy situation to be in. But with faith, anything is possible. She told us that it would be best if he could undergo the "Kasai Procedure" immediately to probably extend his life. It was the initial remedy were in they would create an alternative duct for the bile which is excreted by the liver to reach the intestines and not congest the liver.

Without losing hope, we decided to have him scheduled for the procedure and on September 28, 2010 under the hands of Dr. Josefina Almonte (Pedia Surgeon), he had the procedure done in PGH. It was around 10:00 a.m. when the operation started. After an hour, we were called to the OR. We were anxious to find out the results of the operation and we were hoping that it went well. My wife was the first one there and she was able to talk to Dr. Almonte. When I got there, she told me that it was not successful. I couldn't believe it at first but when Dr. Almonte explained the details of the operation to us, I suddenly felt like the world just fell on us. She said they were not able to do the Kasai Procedure but instead they just reapired his umbilical hernia. My wife started crying and I stood there not saying a word. I was shocked and did not know how to react. Then it just suddenly sunk in. My son's operation was not successful. We were told that our next option was to prepare him for liver transplant. Dr. Genuino informed us that liver transplants were usually done in Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, or in the US which would cost around PhP 6,000,000 to PhP 10,000,000.

As she was going thru the details all I was thinking was how the heck can I raise the amount needed for the liver transplant? My mom and dad were there on the day of the operation, they immediately hugged us comforting us that we will get through this as a family. By noon, my uncle's were also there to help us plan on how we could raise the amount needed for my son. Everything was just painful. I was in denial and did not want to accept that my son has a rare disease that could be fatal if not addressed immediately. I went to the chapel and i composed my self. I prayed hard for guidance, wisdom, and comfort. After awhile I headed back to our room and told myself that I would do everything just to save the life of my son. I started writing letters to friends, family, and organizations who could possibly help us. Days passed after the operation and we noticed that there was still a lump in his belly button. When we asked the doctors what it was they would just say that it might be inflammation from the previous operation. But we were not satisfied with their answer so we requested to have it X-Rayed. Our hunch was correct, it wasn't just a lump but an intestine that was trapped in the repaired umbilical hernia. We were devastated to find out that he had to undergo surgery on the same day. It was October 2, 2010 when he was once again operated by Dr. Saguil (Pedia-Surgeon). After a couple of hours the operation was done, Dr. Saguil called to our attention another abnormality she found during the operation. She told us that our son also has Meckel's Diverticulum which is a small lump in the intestines and is needed to be addressed through operation when he gets a bit bigger. She told us it could be done during the transplant. Things were really getting worse for us. It took a couple of days and our doctors noticed that his infection was not getting any better so they referred other physicians, Dr. Francisco Anacleto (Pedia-Nephrologist) and Dr. Ana Ong-Lim (Pedia-Infectious) to help manage my son's case. After a series of tests, they found out that besides Biliary Atresia, Meckel's Diverticulum he might also have Vesico-ureteral Reflux of Kidney Reflux. We were given a new set of antibiotics and was informed that to address the reflux my son needs to undergo another operation. At the back of my mind I was shouting,"How many operations does he really have to undergo? Liver transplant? Meckel's Diverticulum? and now Kidney Reflux?".

I had to face the fact that my son was gonna be very very special for us. As a father it crushed my heart to finally accept my son's condition. I asked myself,"What would my dad do if I was the one in the situation of my son?". I know God would not give him to us for no reason. I told myself, Raphael Inigo is my son, my own flesh and blood. I would not give up the fight. I will start and join in him in his journey and would make him feel how much I love him. And so Raphael Inigo's Journey begins.--

Raphael Inigo's Battle for Life: Part I

"Life is a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you'll get.." -Forest Gump's Momma


We often receive a lot of gifts. Gifts to cheer us up on a rainy day, make us happy when everything seems wrong, or simply just to make us smile. But the greatest of all gifts, is the gift of life.

And this is where our story begins. Raphael Inigo M. Zarraga is God's gift to Minnie Quennie Martos-Zarraga (27 years old) and Mellord Ivan O. Zarraga (25 years old), a young newly wed couple together with their eldest daughter, Angelica Yvonne (6 years old). And at exactly 2:17 p.m. on July 15, 2010 at Sta. Rosa Hospital and Medical Center in Sta. Rosa, Laguna our bouncing healthy baby boy was born.

Everyone was excited with the newest addition to our small family. Our room was filled with mixed emotions of joy, anticipation, and of love. After initial well-baby check up, his pediatrician said that he had a mild infection probably UTI, but it was within normal levels so we had nothing to be worried about. We were instructed to give him antibiotics for the next seven days. After two days in the hospital, we were finally on our way home.

On our first night home with our precious angel, we were lost with words on how to express the joy we felt. I for a fact literally was not able to sleep. I just watched over my family as they were all on their way to dream land. But around 5 or 10 minutes pass 12:00 a.m., Raphael Inigo suddenly cried and I was startled not knowing why. I carried him and tried to sing lullaby's, I made him milk, checked his diapers and amidst all he still did not stop crying. I started to panic so I had no choice but to wake up my wife and my mother-in-law for assistance. As I hurried back to him, he suddenly froze with knees and feet all straight up. With fear, we decided to rush to the nearest hospital. Upon reaching the hospital, he suddenly was back to sleep as if nothing happened. The doctors said he might have been cold since it was rainy that night. But to be sure, we had to go check up with our pediatrician as soon as possible. So we went home, I carried him back to his crib and again watched over him all through out his sleep. Morning came, and the first thing we did after breakfast was to bring him to the nearest pediatrician. As he was checked up, the doctor said he was all normal. But, for further evaluation she recommended that he should stay in the hospital for the duration of his antibiotic.

On the same day, we decided to have him re-admitted under the care of Dr. Nancy Romanes-Almojuela (General Pediatrician). He was put in the Septic NICU of New Sinai MDI Hospital for intensive care where we were only able to see him through a glass window in the door. The initial tests were done, and they found out his infection was quite severe and had to be treated extensively, under the care of Dr. Marian Colasito (Pedia-Neonatologist). He stayed in the hospital all alone for the next few weeks. Sometimes I would sneak out in the middle of the night to visit him in the hospital to pray for his fast recovery, I longed to hug him and kiss him. Days passed by, and after almost 3 weeks, we were once again off to our way home. We were again all excited and happy that finally all is well with our little angel. The following days were all filled with smiles.

Raphael Inigo was welcomed to the Christian World on August 15, 2010 at San Antonio de Padua Parish Church in Binan, Laguna. It was a solemn gathering of our closest family and friends. After that, we did not expect what was about to happen in the coming days.