In 2003, the Filipino people mourns the sudden passing of matinee idol Miko Sotto who was the son of Marcelino Sotto Jr. and Ali Sotto.
The young actor fell from the 8th floor of a condominium building in Mandaluyong City and the reason for what happened to him remains a mystery today.
However, a piece of Miko’s body is still living after Ali decided to donate some of the parts of her son to needy recipients.
“Noong nawala si Miko, lahat ng pwedeng i-donate na organ, eh dinonate ng nanay,” Actor Vic Sotto who’s also the uncle of Miko shared in an episode of Bawal Judgemental, a segment of the noontime show Eat Bulaga.
The recipient of Miko’s cornea Maria Esmeralda Baribad or Esme was invited to play in the said segment to tell her story to the public.
According to her, an unfortunate incident happened to her during her younger days that made one of her eyes useless.
The doctor told her that there was still a chance for her to bring back her eyesight via transplant.
Fortunately, Esme was one of the recipients who was chosen to receive a cornea from the young actor.
Esme didn’t waste the opportunity to thank the Sotto family for their decision.
“Thank you din po kasi ako yung napili na mabigyan ng cornea ni Kuya Miko,” said Esme.
“Siguro sa ibang tao kung magkaroon sila ng gano’ng situation parang mahirap din, pero para sa akin dahil do’n nanatili ako na mamuhay nang normal,” she added.
Ali also appeared in the said show and revealed that she’s planning to visit Esme to see her son’s eye.
“Kaya hopefully matapos na soon para mabisita mo na uli ako tapos matitigan ko na uli ang mga mata mo,” the journalist said.
