FOR MORE THAN A DECADE now a young boy’s sudden mysterious medical condition, who grew up to be an accomplished young man, has continued to baffle medical practitioners; yet even more remarkable is his and his family’s faith and fortitude in overcoming life’s seemingly insurmountable trials and tribulations.
This is Steve’s story.
It was a Thursday, a midweek school day, and as he was beginning to prepare for his grade three class Steve had requested his father to carry him to the dining table because he inexplicably couldn’t move his feet. A numbing in his lower extremity had been bothering him for almost three days, it felt like a hundred minute needles persistently prickling — a bothersome sensation that he couldn’t shake off. It was,however, when his father put him down that nine-year-old Steve was consumed with a wave of fear — his legs went absolutely limp; he couldn’t feel a thing from his waist down.
“Actually po wala talaga makita doctors na sakit ko, nagawa na ang series of tests including X-ray, CT scan, MRI wala silang nakikitang sakit. Nalibot na po namin ang mga hospitals pero wala po talaga,” recalled Steve, the youngest in the brood of three. “Kahit saan na may ituro na ospital o albularyo sa Camarines Norte at sa ibang lugar pinuntahan namin.”
With their finances dwindling — Steve’s mother Susan is a barangay secretary, while his father Lope is a hog raiser — the family began to feel the brunt of seeking for help to accurately diagnose the detriment of his condition. Despite the adversities his will to learn and finish his studies was never in question.
“Noong na confined po ako sa Orthopedic Hospital sa Metro Manila for nearly three months, pinapadala ng teachers ko yun mga exams sa Maynila then nakabalik din ako sa school that same year,” he added. “Matiyaga lang din mga magulang ko kaya nalagapasan namin lahat yun.”
By alternately using a wheelchair and a steel walker he navigated his way to and from school with the assistance of his family.
Inevitably, there were times that he longed to play like a regular grade schooler, that he envied his classmates’ freedom of mobility.
His physical restrictions, however, were no match to his mental prowess and his family’s sheer resolved: three years later he graduated as the batch salutatorian.
Picking up where he left off in grade school Steve took the STEM strand (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in high school, passing with aplomb as a decorated achiever.
Even then Steve’s unwavering focus was crystal clear.
“High school at college talaga naisip ko na makabawi sa mga magulang ko sa hirap nila sa akin para makabawi ako sa lahat,” he shared.
In 2019 as a college freshman enrolled in BS in Civil Engineering, Steve and his mother were allowed by the Camarines Norte State College administration to board at the school’s girls’ dormitory — a practical move that he was eternally grateful for since by doing so, they were spared the tedious almost daily commute of the 16 kilometers distance between his house in Labo town and the capital town of Daet where the school is located.
And then the pandemic happened.
“Yun buong first year ko (college) po nasa dormitory kami ni mama kaso nagka pandemic so online class,” he said. “Pagbalik ng face-to-face class doon pa rin po kami ulit kaso after three months nagka problema yun dorm kaya wala munang na accommodate na boarders, after nun ay nag commute na lang kami.”
With his mother dutifully by his side during his daily commute so he could pursue his studies, Steve was able to graduate in 2023.
His graduation was a heartwarming affair that left no eyes dry as he thanked his family’s sacrifices on stage during the emotional occasion.
For Steve, however, a bigger test is in the horizon – passing the licensure exam for civil engineering.
Without wasting time, and with his mother not leaving his side, he conscientiously reviewed for the examination in Metro Manila. It was also there — in November 2023 —where he took the licensure
exam.
After which they patiently waited.
“Kabado po ako noon kasi nakakatakot pumalya, ang laki na ng naisakripisyo at nagastos sa akin tapos
babagsak lang kaya takot na takot akong bumagsak,” he vividly recalled. “Dasal na lang talaga…awa ng
Diyos nakapasa naman po.”
In February this year, the DPWH Camarines Norte District Engineering Office hired Engr. Steve Francis Alvarez.
His section chief set up a suitable provision for his work transportation.
After religiously serving as his constant loving companion for more than a decade, this time around his Mama Susan gets to rest.
“Ako naman po ang babawi sa kanila.”




Norj Abarca