Vizcaya quadruplets turn 9

BAGABAG, Nueva Vizcaya – Probably the oldest quadruplets in the country, Mary Joy, Mary Grace, Mary Flor, and Mary Jane Cerezo marked their ninth birthday the other day with a modest celebration at their residence in this gateway town to the famed Ifugao Rice Terraces.

The Cerezo quadruplets of Barangay San Geronimo were brought to the limelight when their mother sought help from authorities for her sickly babies.

The Cerezos are probably the country’s only all-female, identical quadruplets. There are reportedly two other sets of quadruplets in Naguilian, Isabela and in the Visayas, but it is not known whether they are identical.

“We should be thankful that the quadruplets have all grown normally despite their formerly dire health situation. It is a blessing for us all in Nueva Vizcaya to have the Cerezo quadruplets living among us, and I wish them the best of health and many more years to come,” said Rep. Carlos Padilla, one of the government officials who helped the Cerezo family and even put up a trust fund for the quadruplets’ education. 

The father of the quadruplets, all now in Grade 4, was killed in Manila when they were still infants.  – Charlie Lagasca