Inihayag ng batikang broadcast journalist na si Anthony "Ka Tunying" Taberna sa publiko—sa pamamagitan ng isang social media post kahapon, December 2—ang year-long leukemia battle ni Zoey.
Si Zoey, 12, ang panganay sa dalawang anak na babae ni Ka Tunying at ng asawa nitong si Rossel Taberna.
Ito ang dahilan kaya dinagsa ang pamilya Taberna ng mga dasal at mensahe ng moral support mula sa mga nagmamalasakit sa kanila, kabilang ang mga taong hindi nila personal na kilala.
Sina Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Atom Araullo, K Brosas, former Senator JV Ejercito, Vhong Navarro, Darren Espanto, at Melai Cantiveros ang ilan sa mga personalidad na nagbigay ng panalangin at mensahe ng pag-asa sa pamilya Taberna.
Bago pa isiniwalat ni Ka Tunying sa publiko ang karamdaman ni Zoey, nauna nang nag-post ang misis niyang si Rossel sa Facebook page nito kahapon, 4:10 p.m.
Dito ay ibinahagi niya ang tungkol sa pinakamalaking pagsubok na pinagdaraanan ng kanilang pamilya at ang rebelasyon tungkol sa kanyang “guilt” na nararamdaman.
"Today at 4:10pm: 'Mommy, can I use my phone saglit po? I want to post something po and there’s one photo that I wanna post because I’m not scared anymore,'" umpisa ng Facebook post ni Rossel tungkol sa kahanga-hangang katapangan na ipinamamalas ni Zoey.
Saad pa niya, "Feeling emotional today but Zoey’s message and post turned the emo Mom in me into one proud Mommah.
"Kahit na pinaiyak niyo na naman ako ng Daddy mo, I’m super happy cos you’ve finally decided to show the world how beautiful you are- with or without hair."
Kalakip ng post ni Rossel ay ilang larawan na kuha sa hospital kung saan naka-confine si Zoey, kabilang na ang pagpapa-shave ng ulo ni Zoey dahil sa nalalagas niyang buhok na epekto ng chemotherapy.
Patuloy ng misis ni Ka Tunying, "A year ago when you were diagnosed with Leukemia, I was so scared and regretful. I cannot help but blame myself.
"Bakit hindi ko nalaman sooner? Why didn’t I noticed your abrupt weight-loss? I felt so guilty for being extra busy and I know in my heart, kasalanan ko.
"But I am also blessed with a very loving and supportive husband. He would always remind me that it’s no ones fault and that we are just facing a major life challenge."
THE BRAVE ONE
Pinapurihan din ni Rossel ang katapangan ng kanyang panganay na anak sa kabila ng sakit na nararanasan nito.
Saad niya, "Takot na takot ako, Atch pero napakatapang mo. You don’t even complain and it hurts me even more. Kahit alam ko na masakit na masakit, you tried to stay calm because you didn’t want us to worry.
"Ni ayaw mo kami gisingin ni Daddy mo pag madaling araw when you want to pee dahil ayaw mo kami maabala. Cos you know we’re always tired. Sobrang bait mo, anak."
Nananalig din si Rossel na gagaling si Zoey.
"I know a lot of you do not know what really happened to Zoey. Ang iba naman especially our friends would always say 'parang wala naman kayong pinagdadaanan' and I will just stay quiet. Alam ko kasi sa puso ko, Anak na pinagagaling ka na Niya.
"At buo ang tiwala ko sa Diyos na dinirinig Niya ang ating mga panalangin at ang araw- araw nating pagpapahid ng langis."
Isa-isang pinasalamatan ni Rossel ang mga taong tumutulong at patuloy na binibigyan sila ng suporta.
"I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you who’s been sending their love for Zoey. To Zoey’s doctor, Dr. Allan Racho and all her other Doctors, nurses and staff in St. Lukes. Pamilya na po namin kayo.
"To all our friends who visited us in the hospital and always checking up on us. To our family for helping us take care of Zoey special mention Ate Heidi and of course Ate Nana.
"To our bunso, Scoopy for being extra understanding and for being responsible and independent kahit na madalas wala si Mommy and Daddy.
"To my husband for being the most positive human being in my world.Napaka-palad ko na ikaw ang katuwang ko sa buhay.
"To Zoey, anak for being strong and brave and for having a strong faith in Him. And to our Lord God for giving us strength in spite of all the struggles that we have been through and the new challenge we are facing right now. Kayo na po ang bahala sa amin."
Mensahe pa niya sa anak: "1 year down 2 more years to go for your complete healing, Atchi. Mahal na mahal ka namin."
Isa ka bang showbiz fan na laging updated at naghahanap ng latest chika? Share what you know. Join here! https://bit.ly/PEPChika