One leg amputee conquers Mt. Apo

CEBU, Philippines — Just like love, conquering the country’s highest peak the second time around felt sweeter for differently-abled Cebuano Arnold Balais as this time, it’s for the children with cancer.

It was exactly 10 years from the first time that the one-legged former national para-athlete Balais conquered Mt. Apo, that is, he was out to prove that no disability is a hindrance to reaching one’s goals.

Fast-forward to the present, Balais who just got back from the US for training with the Global Mentoring Program sponsored by the US government, said he wanted to mark his first climb in the mountains of Digos City, Davao del Sur with another climb, this time, for a better cause.

Balais and his team started the trek on May 28 and were at the peak by May 29 amidst a tougher route and the threats of typhoon Betty at that time, not to mention, he is much older now at 49. With Balais are some co-paddlers under the multi-titled PADS Dragonboat team.

“Mas mahirap gyud karon..iba yung route..mas mahirap kasi may boulders…tapos yung weather pa…but mas meaningful karon kay climb for a cause for children with cancer siya,” Balais said.

Balais is currently partnering with the Everlasting Hope Ministry concerning children with cancer, although, Balais said, anyone who wishes to donate for these kids may also contact him through his personal Facebook account.

“Mas ganahan ko tabangan children with cancer kay luoy kaayo ba..as young as they are, ga-suffer a ba,” stressed Balais.

On the way down, Balais, who is a supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, chanced upon Vice President Sara Duterte who was also on her way to the peak.

“Nasalubong namin siya nung pababa na kami ng boulders,” relayed Balais who said, he was also able to talk to VP Sara for a while on his purpose for his return to Mt. Apo that served as an icing to his cake.

While it’s another mission accomplished, Balais emphasized that his climb would only be considered a successful one if they will be able to get more donors after for these underprivileged children with cancer, especially those that are far from hospitals with good cancer care. — (FREEMAN)