‘Every child is a gift’

THERE’S a saying: “We don’t get to choose our family. God does that for us.”

For celebrated architect and interior designer Edgar Lopez Suelo this takes on an entirely different meaning.

Suelo is one of the best designers in the industry. His handiwork includes a beach resort and spa in Palawan, a boutique resort in Oton, Iloilo and a beach resort in Boracay. Devoted and passionate about his craft, he has meticulously put together masterpieces in Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Dubai, and London.

However, despite all his success, he felt there was something missing in his life. A very kind and charitable person he regularly helps those in need, especially underprivileged mothers and their children.

“Before pag may extra money ko, gakadto ko sa ward sing Iloilo Provincial (Hospital) or sa Don Benito, gapamangkot ko da: ‘Sin-o indi kabakal bulong?’ Kwaon ko ang resita kag baklon ko sa guwa, bilin ko dayun sa nurse’s station, gina-obra ko na pirmi,” shares Suelo.

Though he knew he was already making a difference, giving back and helping out, within Suelo was the feeling that he could do a lot more.

“I was in an Adoration Chapel when I thought to myself: ‘Lord, nami guro kun may bata ko no?’” recalls Suelo. “Pero wala man ko nakahambal sa hospital.”

“After a month, may nag-call sa akun asking: ‘Gusto mo bata?’” narrates Suelo. “‘Ngaa ako?’ I asked. Sabat niya: ‘May couple nga nag-hambal nga gusto magkuha, pero ang mga nurses gusto nga ikaw.’”

Suelo consulted with priests he knew personally on what he should do and all of them answered the same – “Edgar, kuhaa because every child is a blessing.”

Pag-una ko nga kugos kay Sean, grabe nga hibi akun,” shares Suelo, who took Sean under his wing just two days after he was born, adding him to his family and introducing him to his big sister Maychelle.

“Sean is really a blessing. Gin-untat ko gid biga ko, naglain gid ang perspective ko, daw nakita ko ang matuod-tuod nga colors of life. Dayun si Maychelle, na-inspire man kay may bag-o na siya nga manghod,” relates Suelo.

Despite his hectic schedule, he always finds ways to be by his young son’s side. Suelo shares that when his job requires him to be away for a few nights, they would tuck in Sean with his clothes as the blanket and he would stop crying and fall asleep peacefully. “Ang lago ko nga bayo ginahabol sa iya sang una, ga-untat siya dayun hibi.”

Now a 14-year-old Grade 8 student, Sean continues to brighten Suelo’s days and be his guiding light. The love of Sean and Maychelle, who is now a nurse, continue to fuel him with blessing and joy.

Daw ga ngutngut caesarian ko when they express their love,” jokes Suelo.

Sang una grabe ko mag-night life, grabe ko pagastohon sa bar, daw wala bwas. Tapos pag-abot ni Sean, siya naghatag sa akun direction, daw siya gid ang angel ko, siya ang nag-change sing life ko, siya ang nag-lead sing way ko,” muses Suelo. “Daw siya pa gane ang nag-mold sa akun to become a better person, instead of the other way around.”

Though their family was not formed the traditional way, the three – Sir Suelo, Sean and Maychelle – love each other as much as all families would. They keep in mind that God gave this family for them to love, a family that will love them back.

“I tell Sean: sa kadamu sing nakita ko nga bata, ikaw ang nangilay kag nagyuhum sa akun, muna nga ikaw ang gin

pili ko,” shares Suelo. “Day by day, nag-sink in na sa iya, the more niya ko gina-appreciate, the more niya ma-appreciate si manang niya Maychelle nga gin palangga siya kag wanted gid siya gale, and he belongs with us.”

“Anyone who ever wondered how much they could love a child who did not spring from their own loins, knows this: It is the same. The feeling of love is profound, it’s incredible and surprising,” shares the extraordinary father./PN

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