Sick boy becomes priest for a day

Wishing to become a priest and help other children, a seven-year-old boy stricken with leukemia got his wish and became a priest for a day, helping officiate a special children’s Palm Sunday Mass at the EDSA Shrine yesterday.

Made possible through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Tanggol Manalili donned a bishop’s garb and "concelebrated" the special 4:30 p.m. Mass with Manila Auxiliary Bishop Socrates Villegas.

"I have always wanted to be a priest. That’s why I became a sacristan (altar boy) so I could learn to be a priest," Tanggol said after the special Mass which was attended by his parents Hector and Bettina and his five brothers and sisters.

The Mass was also attended by his siblings Ma. Malaya, Ma. Mabini, Ma. Magiliw, Jose Magiting and Jesus Magdangal.

"I also wish I could help other children, especially the other kids in my neighborhood. Because they are poor and I grew up with them. They are my friends and playmates," the boy added.

Although Tanggol has to cope with a life consisting largely of hospital visits and chemotherapy, the boy does not even pray every morning and evening that he be healed of his condition.

Instead, he asks for the recovery of one of his brothers who is now confined at the Philippine General Hospital for advanced typhoid and to be able to help his father in his "difficult" job.

Describing Tanggol as a "victim priest," Villegas lauded the boy’s generosity and urged other children to emulate him.

"He is an example for other kids and youth to emulate. His concern for others and love for God is edifying. I want to give him a happy memory to bring to eternity," the bishop said.

"He is like Jesus, suffering although sinless and innocent. I want to tell the boy that to be a priest is to sacrifice. Right now as he suffers he is already a victim priest so that sins may be forgiven," Villegas added.

"It is very rare to see so much generosity from someone so young," said Eddieboy Santos, founder of Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Philippines, which like its 26 other branches around the world works to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. The foundation can be reached at 817-7987.