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Support pours in for Joseph’s operation

Joseph Bitangcol and his family are grateful for the love and support they are getting, now that the former ‘SCQ’ (Star Circle Quest) member  needs a huge amount of  money to defray the cost of a medical operation which requires him to have titanium plates in his face.

The plates are needed  to fix Joseph’s facial fractures after he sustained injuries in a vehicular accident in Antipolo last August 10.

The plates alone cost around P200,000 according to Joseph’s mother, Lydia Bitangcol.

In an interview with ‘Showbiz News Ngayon (SNN),’ Lydia said the operation was supposed to be done last August 17. But it had to be postponed since they still need more money to finance the operation. His mother also sought help from relatives and Joseph’s friends.

“Yung mga taong tumutulong po kay Joseph, sa aming pamilya, talagang buong puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo,” Lydia said.

Joseph, who entered showbiz through the reality talent search ‘Star Circle Quest,’ got  a lot of support from Melissa Ricks, Raphael Martinez, Neri Naic, his directors and mentors.

SCQ support

Melissa said they don’t want Joseph’s family to be burdened with financial problems since they are already having a hard time as it is.

“Mga ‘SCQ’ (Star Circle Quest), maraming tumutulong pati si Direk Lauren (Dyogi) willing to help. Bilang mga kaibigan ni Joseph na nagki-care din sa kanya, the last thing we want is mag-worry yung pamilya niya tungkol sa gastos,” Melissa told ‘SNN.’

She added that many are willing to help Joseph and that they plan to pitch in themselves.

“Nag-iisip kami na mag-ambag-ambag para man lang makatulong sa mga hospital bills. And I’m very happy na sa dami naming tinext eh marami ang gustong tumulong, Marami ang concerned kay Joseph,” Melissa said.

Another ‘SCQ’ member, Raphael Martinez relays that their other batch mates are doing their own share in supporting Joseph in his operation.

“Si Neri I think may iba syang group, si Melissa may iba rin. Ako rin may ibang group. Hindi ko alam kung nakausap na ni Melissa si Luis (Manzano) na naging host namin dati sa ‘SCQ.’ Thankful ako kay Tito Boy (Abunda) kasi isa sya sa mga pinaka concerned,” Raphael told ‘SNN’.

He added that former ‘SCQ’ member and 2NE1 member Sandara Park is concerned about her ex- boyfriend and erstwhile leading man.
 
“Yes, I think nag-message sya sa Facebook na hoping he’s okay,” Raphael said.

Lydia is so touched at all the support her family is getting.

“Naiiyak ako kasi hindi ko akalain na ganon eh. Nata-touch naman ako sa kanila. Sabi ko nga nung nangyari itong aksidente na ito kay Joseph, heartbreak ang inabot ko. Now, my heart is melting. Sobrang touched ako sa mga taong tumutulong,” Lydia said.

Melissa said that it’s their responsibility as friends to help one another. The friendship among ‘SCQ’ members is also so strong, they vow to always look after each other.

“I’m sure naman kahit sa amin mangyari ‘yan, handa rin yung mga kaibigan na tumulong. It’s our job bilang mga kaibigan, bilang mga ‘SCQ’ members na matagal na kaming magkakasama, so yung concern and pagmamahal ko sa mga tao, andun na yun,” Melissa said.

Raphael feels the same way and promises to be by his friends’ side always. “Pinangako talaga namin sa isa’t isa na magkakapatid kami at walang iwana kahit anong mangyari. So, nung nangyari ito, hindi namin iiwanan si Joseph,” Raphael said.

Heartwarming story

Lydia also relayed a heartwarming story about the  support she got from all kinds of people. Even those who have little selflessly offered their assistance.

“Yung mga takatak boys, nag-abot [sa akin] ng supot (na may) P160. Noong oras na ‘yon umiyak ako kasi biro mo sobrang pagmamahal nila kay Joseph. (Sabi) ‘Idol po kasi namin siya, pasensya na ito lang po maibibigay namin,” Joseph’s mother shared.

Lydia now feels better as Joseph is recovering and she and the rest of the family are getting  a lot of support and love.

“Yung sobrang happy ka na alam mo yung bigat na dinadala mo dito parang gumagaan. Parang pumuputok yung puso ko.or makakapagbigay ng malaki, it doesn’t matter eh, what matters is yung kagustuhan mong makatulong,” Lydia said.