JESUS CHRIST CARES FOR CANCER
Surviving Quiapo … and Life Itself
QUIAPO. Old Downtown of Manila. Minor basilica enshrining the sacred Black Nazarene. Museums, art galleries. Underground black market. Snatchers.
Pickpockets. Raon electronics hub selling cheap gadgets. Plaza Miranda, platform for those who rally to defend their side on national issues…
And the plot setting for the television drama action FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, an adaptation of the 1986 film Batang Quiapo starring the iconic Fernando Poe Jr. which earned 44 million digital views on YouTube and Kapamilya Online live during its pilot week.
Created by ABS-CBN Corporation, Batang Quiapo stars Coco Martin, who is also writer and producer, as well as director along with four other directors. The show premiered on February 13, 2023, on the network’s Primetime Bida line up.
We met two stars of Batang Quiapo –
Nonie and Shamaine Buencamino as they kindly graced the General Assembly of Jesus Christ Cares for Cancer on March 19, 2025, thanks to the initiative of JCCFC President Gary Puno.
Nonie and Shamaine play key roles in Batang Quiapo, story of a man’s struggles amid the impoverished environment of Quiapo, and how he survives – an inspiring lesson for those facing life’s challenges, such as cancer. How? Read on …
Life-Giving Message Reel:
Batang Quiapo is the story of Jesus Nazareno Dimaguiba (Coco Martin) apparently named after Quiapo’s life-sized dark image of Jesus carrying the cross, venerated by devotees who relate their burdens to the Passion of Christ.
Just as those who need defense for their national causes find a place in Quiapo’s Plaza Miranda, those who need a defender for their daily struggles have also found one in Quiapo – in Jesus Nazareno Dimaguiba, better known as Tanggol, short for Manananggol — yes, the Tagalog for defender.
To survive in Quiapo, Tanggol starts as a pickpocket, levels up as a big outlaw, and then becomes known as defender and savior of his hometown in Quiapo.
But at the outset, the first Tanggol has to defend is himself. And first, from his dark past, starting with his identity. His father is Ramon Montenegro (Christopher de Leon) who comes from a wealthy clan of crime lords.
Tanggol’s mother is Olga Montenegro, also involved in the criminal world.
As the long story goes, Tanggol didn’t know his parents. But as fate would have it, Tanggol crosses paths with Olga Montenegro during an encounter with common enemies.
Tanggol grows up with a single mother struggling through the harsh life in Quiapo, named Gracia Benito – played by Shamaine Buencamino.
At left, poster announcing casting of Shamaine as Gracia.
In this gangland, another professional criminal is Marcelo Macaraig – played by Nonie Buencamino – yes, the husband of Shamaine.
At right, Marcelo in a scene with Tanggol in ABS-CBN’S Batang Quiapo video.
Real:
And here are Nonie and Shamaine at the recent General Assembly of Jesus Christ Cares for Cancer singing, dancing, sharing life-giving message to cancer patients.
Something Good
“Could anything good come out of tragedy, one might ask.
It could. And it did.”
That’s the declaration of Jesus Christ Cares For Cancer on its online page.
The statement continues: “JCCFC is born out of Reylindo “Rey” Ortega’s heart-wrenching meeting with Brian, a 7-year-old boy who succumbed to cancer in July 2013. The young boy’s passing disturbed him and made him more conscious of the plight of the poor afflicted with the illness.
“In May 2015, Bro. Rey himself was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer. With only six months to live, he resolved to spend his remaining days serving indigent cancer patients.
“JCCFC was officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2015.
Bro. Rey devoted more than 48 years of his life helping the poor before his passing in June 2017.”
Bro. Rey founded several mercy ministries which are supported by Bro. Bo Sanchez and now sustained by our Light of Jesus Family and its spin off foundation, Shepherd’s Voice Radio and Television (SVRTV) which helps sustain JCCFC’s programs with monthly cash donations.
On June 30, 2017, Bro. Rey passed on, leaving the management of JCCFC in the very capable hands of Bro. Alo Gelano (left) as chairman.
JCCFC’s monthly General Assembly connects its beneficiaries, personnel, volunteer servants with supporters and donors providing financial assistance for the medical expenses of the cancer patients.
Here, Sis. Maritess Cordero, (in pink shirt and light blue pants) and Sis. Marin Uy
(in floral blouse), who helps JCCFC gather more benefactors, join Nonie
and Shamaine and other volunteers at the recent General Assembly.
Divine Design
Yes, as Quiapo finds a defender in Tanggol, the less fortunate, the sick, the dying find defenders in JCCFC volunteer officers and supporters – working hard to raise funds to be able to accommodate many requests for financial assistance.
If you feel the Lord is calling you to be a Tanggol for our beneficiaries – not the violent but the peaceful and productive way – check out LOJ’s headquarters at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City, or call (02) 8725 9999. JCCFC accepts donations through Banco De Oro (BDO) Account No.: 01109 8000 356. All funds raised and donations received go to the beneficiaries.
JCCFC goes beyond Quiapo to reach out to those not only in need of material assistance but most important, spiritual nourishment.
JCCFC has a Prayer Partners Ministry led by Sis. Dr. Lota Fragante, designating one prayer partner for each cancer patient. The prayer partner is usually a volunteer servant of The Feast and thus makes sure the beneficiary receives the Mass, Rosary, and other spiritual benefits such as lessons from the life-changing talks at The Feast.
One example: Natividad ‘Betty’ Correos, stricken with Stage 3 breast cancer, found solace in her prayer partner, Feast Intercessory Ministry servant
Ma. Lourdes ‘Lulu’ Balicha, who relentlessly petitioned God for Natividad’s healing. Now, Natividad has been in remission from breast cancer for the past five years. She will be onstage on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, at The Feast Holy Week Retreat. Indeed, God moves in remarkable ways.
Yes, God is in JCCFC even in the choice of themes and guests in its General Assembly.
The focus on Quiapo, for instance, must be by Divine Design. Google Quiapo and you’ll find out it derives its name from kiyapo, or the water cabbage (Pistia stratiotes) abundant in the place.
You see, medical research finds cabbage as a potential cancer protection.
According to MedicineNet, “Red cabbage contains the powerful antioxidant anthocyanin, the same compound that gives other red and purple fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors. In the lab, anthocyanins have been shown to slow cancer proliferation, kill already formed cancer cells, and stop the formation of tumor growths.” (MedicineNet https://www.medicinenet.com › article)
Indeed, JCCFC is about the project of God through our Lord Jesus to embrace people hungry for material and spiritual nourishment with His unconditional love.
Ultimately, it’s about gaining an eternal place with God – because, as He promised in Matthew 25:36: For I was sick and you took care of me.
