Photos by Irine Dioso, Karen Montejo
HE was born with no legs (congenital amputation) but this didn’t stop him from striving in life.
Ryan “Ipoy” Moralidad, 21, a resident of Purok 3, Barangay Sibsib, Tulunan town in Cotabato, Philippines made rounds on social media on June 11 as many were inspired by his hard work and perseverance.
He can do several things, just like what people with complete body parts can do.
He makes charcoal, sells it at P350 per sack, and helps his family in farming for a living. Ipoy also helps his family with other household chores. Ipoy’s father died when he was still 18. At present, he lives with his mother and other siblings.
“Maayo ug but-an gyud ni si Ipoy. Wala namo ni siya sugua apan kaugalingong desisyon niya ang motabang sa amoa. Kanang iyang paghimo og uli, pag-uma, ug uban pa, iyaha ra na natun-an pag tan-aw lang sa mga tao nga gabuhat ato (Ipoy is a kind and helpful man. We didn’t force him to do these things but he voluntarily does these for us. He said he wanted to earn and help us. No one really taught him one-on-one to do charcoal making and farming, he just learned it from observing from other people),” Irine O. Dioso, Ipoy’s sister-in-law shared in an interview with SunStar Davao.
Ipoy stopped schooling when he was in grade one due to extreme bullying experience.
“Tani hindi na ko nila pagsunlugon pero sadya ko nga may ara ko sang mga abyan nga kaintindi kag baton ko (I hope they will stop teasing me but I am happy that I have friends now who understand and accept me),” Ipoy shared in Hiligaynon.
Despite his situation, Ipoy remains hopeful. He dreams of becoming a successful businessman in the future.
Maski na amo ko sini makabulig gyapon ko sa akon pamilya kag sila man ang rason ngaa ko gapaningkamot (Despite having no legs, I can still help my family. They are the very reason why I keep going and strive in life).