'In sickness and in health': Palawan couple upholds vows amid trials, inspiring love this Valentine's

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A tourist van driver from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan has been bedridden for more than a year due to a rare condition.

Josel is being cared for by his live-in partner, Jamaica, with whom he has two kids.

Jamaica shared on "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" that she and Jocel started as friends before becoming a couple in 2014 and having two children, during which she saw him as a responsible father.

"'Yung panganay namin, siya po talaga 'yan naghahatid-sundo," she said. "Siya po 'yung nag-aararo ng palayan para po mataniman namin ng palay."

["He's the one who takes our eldest to and from school. He's also the one who plows the field so we can plant rice."]

The couple worked hard to raise their kids, with Josel as a driver and Jamaica as a secretary for a company.

Josel and Jamaica also dreamed of getting married but were unable to afford it. They then registered to be part of a Kasalang Bayan in 2024.

Illness strikes

Two months before their wedding, Josel fell ill, but they initially thought it was just fatigue from work.

"Bigla po siya nagpawis kahit po naka-electric fan o naka-aircon. Para siyang hinihingal na po tapos nag-palpitate 'yung heart niya," Jamaica said. "Nahihirapan na po siya maghinga."

["He suddenly started sweating despite the  fan and air conditioning. He gasped for breath, his heart as he struggled to breathe."]

Despite breathing issues and vomiting, Josel kept working until he was hospitalized, where a pain reliever triggered a seizure. There, he was diagnosed with a thyroid storm caused by hyperthyroidism.

Josel then fell into a coma.

It was during this period that they discovered Josel was suffering from hyperthyroidism or thyroid storm.

Dr. Jim Paulo Sarsarat, an Endocrinologist, explained that hyperthyroidism, an autoimmune disease, is triggered by the immune system and can be caused by genetics, stress, smoking, or viral infections.

"Ang mga sintomas ay labis na pagpapawis o pagkabog ng dibdib, pangangayat or weight loss. Panginginig ng mga kamay at madalas na pagdumi o diarrhea," Dr. Sarsagat added.

["The symptoms include excessive sweating or heart palpitations, weight loss, hand tremors, and frequent diarrhea."]

After two months in a coma, Josel miraculously woke up but could only open his eyes—unable to speak or remember anything.

"Nang dahil sa malubhang pagtaas ng thyroid hormone ni Josel o tinatawag nating thyroid storm, siya ay nagkaroon ng pamamaga sa utak," Dr. Sarsarat said.

["Due to the severe spike in Josel's thyroid hormone, he developed brain swelling."]

The doctor said Josel's brain swelling left him unable to speak, caused seizures, and affected his memory.

As their hospital bill soared to nearly 1.4 million pesos, Jamaica decided to discharge Josel and move to the city for easier hospital access.

Living with Josel's condition

Caring for Josel became difficult as he had to be fed through a nasogastric tube, and Jamaica had to tie his hands and feet to prevent him from pulling it out since he would get irritated.

Jamaica cleans Josel's back to prevent bedsores, something she once struggled to do.

She said Josel would remove his tubes and kick off his restraints if left untied. Josel had also been acting like a child, putting items in his mouth.

Jamaica, in tears, said the kids help care for their father, but without them, she struggles alone and feels exhausted doing it every day.

Their eldest child, John Yldrich, is tasked with giving Josel his medicines.

"Ginaayos ko po si Papa. Tinatanggal ko po 'yung unan sa likod niya at inaayos ko po 'yung kumot niya," John Enrich said. "Sa mga kaibigan ko po, madalas po kami naglalaro. Ngayon 'yung nagkasakit na po si Papa, hindi na po. Kasi kailangan ko po bantayan Papa ko. Wala pong magbabantay."

["I take care of Papa—I adjust his pillow, fix his blanket, and watch over him. I used to play with my friends, but now that he is sick, I don't anymoreI have to watch over him. There's no one else to do it."]

Jiezhel, the youngest child, massages Josel's weakening legs, while she and John Yldrich fear he isn't improving.

Josel's treatments

Jamaica needs nearly ?10,000 for Josel's medicines weekly, so she works multiple jobs, sells various goods, and creates mini-vlogs about their life.

"Halos anim na buwan po ako nag-vlog. Araw-araw ko po kung ano 'yung ginagawa ko, ng mga bata, kung ano 'yung ginagawa ko sa asawa ko," she said.

["I vlogged for almost six months, sharing our daily lives—what I do, what the kids do, and how I take care of my husband."]

Jamaica shared that she began vlogging by sharing her emotions and stories at home, earning ?5,000 in her first payout.

However, her vlogging was put to a halt because of her broken phone, and because her Facebook account was demonetized. She said Meta didn't specify her violation or how to fix it, but she was told someone might have reported her content.

Jamaica hopes that Josel will regain his memories. To help him, she shows their old photos.

"'Yung sa linya ng mag-asawa 'yung, 'sa hirap at ginhawa magkasama tayong dalawa.' 'Yun ang pinanghahawakan kong salita," Jamaica said.

["The vow for married couples, 'through hardship and comfort, we will stay together.' That's the promise I hold on to."]

She loves Josel despite their imperfections and hopes he recovers and regains his memory before they get married.

"Importante po sa akin na sana maalala niya muna 'yung nakaraan namin bago kami magpakasal kasi s'yempre mas mararamdaman natin, 'di ba? Kasi mas malalaman niya na mahal namin 'yung isa't isa nung una bago sana kami magpakasal," she said.

["It's important to me that he remembers our past before we get married because it would make it more meaningful. He would know that our love was real from the very beginning."]

Fortunately, Josel has improved compared to last year, the doctor said.

"'Yung fact na dati siyang halos walang galaw, walang response, tapos ngayon 'yung nakikita n'yo na gumagalaw, medyo lumalakas na 'yung galaw ng kamay, in a way, may progress," Dr. Ruth Estimar, an Ears, Nose, and Throat Specialist, said at a recent checkup.

["The fact that he used to be unresponsive and barely move, but now he can lift his hands and show some strength, means he's making progress."]

The hospital has promised to give free therapy sessions to Josel.

The Social Welfare Office and Rotary Club gave medical aid, groceries, and supplies for their store. Josel received ?15,000 from the Social Welfare Office, while the Rotary Club of Puerto Princesa Central provided medical and school supplies for his children.

"KMJS" also brought the demonetized account issue to Meta, and Jamaica was given a brand new phone. She then expressed her gratitude.

As Valentine's Day draws near, Jamaica has an emotional message for Josel.

She said she once thought he wouldn't survive, but she continued to urge him to keep fighting. She promised not to leave and to do everything she could as long as he kept going.

Jamaica reflected on how far they've come and thanked Josel for staying strong.

"Lumaban ka pa rin, kasama ka pa rin namin ngayon. Hiling ko lang sana magtuloy-tuloy na gumaling ka na. Kasi hirap na hirap na ako dito mag-isa," Jamaica said. "Hindi ko na talaga alam. Nilalakasan ko na lang ang loob ko para sa 'yo at para sa mga bata. Sana makilala mo na kami. Sana mag-respond ka na 'pag kausapin ka na namin ng mga anak mo."

["Keep fighting, you're still with us. I just wish you'd fully recover because I'm really struggling on my own. I don't know what else to do—I just stay strong for you and the kids. I hope you recognize us soon and respond when we talk to you."]

—JCB, GMA Integrated News