Anthony Taberna, also known as Ka Tunying, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for his youngest daughter, Helga, after helping her sister Zoey in her successful fight against cancer.
The veteran broadcast journalist took to his Facebook account on Thursday night, July 7, to laud Helga for her selflessness as Zoey’s bone marrow donor when she needed a transplant as part of her medical treatment.
“Kahit minsan, hindi nagtanong si Helga kung bakit siya. Ang tanong lang niya, kailan gagawin,” he said.
“Yung proseso ng preparasyon hanggang sa araw na hinarvest sa kaniya ang stem cell ay hindi madali para sa isang batang tulad ni Helga subalit hindi siya dumaing, hindi siya nagreklamo,” he added.
The broadcaster also recalled, in reference to the open message previously posted by Zoey, how Helga was left with no choice as their family had to go to Singapore and how his eldest had felt guilty because of it.
“Bayani si Helga sa tingin namin lalo na ni Zoey dahil nagsakripisyo ito nang walang tanong-tanong para makatulong na gumaling ang kaniyang kapatid,” Taberna said.
He also noted how Helga helped Zoey cheer up and muster courage as she was getting treated.
“Helga, we’re so proud of you. Pinatunayan mo ang tunay na kahulugan ng pag-ibig sa kapatid. We love you! Ipinagmamalaki ka namin,” the broadcaster added.
Taberna’s youngest, meanwhile, also took to Instagram to pen an open letter for her “achi” Zoey as the latter marked the end of her battle with cancer.
“We are all so proud of you. You are the strongest person that I know, achi. You are the person who gives strength to many, including me,” Helga wrote, expressing her admiration and appreciation towards her older sister.
In the same Instagram post, she also promised and assured Zoey of her continued support.
“I want you to know that no matter what happens, I will always be by your side. I will always be here to listen to you, to help you, to cheer you, to do all the the random things you want me to do ?, and many many more,” Helga said.
“I will always be grateful to have you, achi. You made so many people strong. I love you so much, zowi !! we are so proud of you ??,” she added.
Earlier this week, Anthony Taberna’s eldest daughter, Zoey opened up about her battle with leukemia and revealed that she is now cancer-free, about two years after she was diagnosed with the disease back in December 2019.
READ: Anthony Taberna’s daughter Zoey marks the end of her cancer journey
