: TANYA MARKOVA; Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
Written and photographed
By Jude Bautista
Luis RobertoAbundo and Landa Bautista Abundo, are a couple who give a lot of themselves to community, their country and others. Having been an instructor of special needs children for more than 10 years, Landa is now the Executive Director of The Learning Center Philippines.
She has also been a long time volunteer and organizer in YABANG PINOY, an organization that aims to instill pride in Filipino made products and services through various means and campaigns.
So when the kind couple met the biggest challenge of their lives, its no surprise that friends and family, organizations have all come together to help them in their time of need.
Luis and Landa Abundo; Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
January 28, 2018, Landa had to deliver their first-born baby boy, Levi via emergency C-section at only 925 grams. He was born with only 6 months in utero. Landa relates, “We had to deliver him because of uncontrolled pre term labor. He was also in a breach position his hand was in my cervix by the time I was rushed to the hospital.”
NICU
The condition Levi was born with presented a number of difficulties for the young couple, not least of which is the enormous expense of the extra care that’s necessary, Luis explains, “So now because of his extreme prematurity and extremely low birth weight doctors advised us he has to stay in the N.I.C.U. (neonatal intensive care unit). For around 3-4 months. Which roughly equates to around 4.2 million pesos. It’s insanely high and insurance doesn’t begin to cover anything related to pregnancy. But that’s the reality of Philippine health insurance.”
Surgeries
Added to the cost of the stay in the N.I.C.U. (neonatal intensive care unit), there are other procedures he needs. Since Levi was not able to develop fully through Landa’sshortened pregnancy (6 months), this also required surgeries to help him survive.
Luis and LandaAbundo with family, friends and volunteers. Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
“We’re rallying family and friends to raise funds for him. He’s had to undergo a lot of difficulties and struggles during his young tender age. He had to have a surgery at 3 weeks old because he had a perforated intestine. Even after we’re discharged from NICU we still have to prepare for surgery to put back his ilium so he can have a normal life. We’re a middle class family its really weird how difficult it is to ask for government support. Its really sarilingkayod. We really had to work to get funds for him. We’ve had help from family and friends and Good Samaritans, kind strangers. We need more. We need help to spread the word. We really need it to snowball so we can reach more people,” said Landa.
How to Help — Links
For readers who would like to extend help search for: Levi Little Lionheart onfacebook, instagram(or just click on the links provided here)and crowd funding platforms on gofundme, youcaring. This is for international donors. For those in the Philippines it may be more convenient to donate directly to BDO, BPI bank account numbershere:
Fb
https://www.facebook.com/LeviLittleLionheart/
gofundme
http://www.gofundme.com/levilittlelionheart
youcaring
https://www.youcaring.com/leviabundo-1091515
They’ve received donations from friends, family, from kind strangers, “Of course we still need more we haven’t really tipped the scale in terms of the 4.2 million pesos we need. We haven’t reached 1 million even. And our bill now is already 1.5 million already.”
Rock N Rawr
YABANG PINOY volunteers rallied behind one of their long time organizers in Landa. Logically their solution was connected to Pinoy Pride namely OPM (Original Pilipino Music). Last March 23, 2018, the fund raising concert for Levi called Rock N Rawr was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati who gave their venue for free.
HINLALATO; Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista (6)
Landa recalls, “YabangPinoy started the ball rolling. They said we wanted to set up this event the volunteers of course. They were responsible for getting us the event place. DULO gave us the event place for free. Our brother is a member of the band, connected us to another band. So its people connecting with people, you realize a deeper connection. A lot of them can relate with what happened to us and what we’re going through.”
TANYA MARKOVA vocalist Iwa Motors; Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
HINLALATO, TANYA MARKOVA, MOJOFLY
Landa’s younger brother Michael ‘Bong’ Bautista contacted old schoolmates from Don Bosco who just happened to be HINALALATO vocalist Clang Santos. Because of his closeness to the Bautista clan, he was able to refer and recruit other name bands to join the successful event among them TANYA MARKOVA, MOJOFLY. This resulted in a cascade of other performers joining in.
Michael Bautista hugs vocalist Clang Santos of HINLALATO. Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
The couple was so happy and grateful with the support, “Its through the help of family and friends who connected us with all these different performers and talents: UNDECIDED, LUNCH POEMS, THE MAKATAS. There are people we’ve known for a long time who really want to show their love and support for our family. We’re really very thankful for their support DJ Mike Lavarez who is here and opened the whole evening for us.”
LUNCH POEMS with Luis and LandaAbundo. Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
Levi
At such a young age Levi is already showing his courage and will to live, “So its crazy, but what we love about our son is he’s a fighter. He’s gone through so much and we see him improve everyday. We see he’s fighting to survive. We need to do this, we need to give him that chance, a fighting chance to survive because he’s doing his part.
UNDECIDED; Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista (10)
FULL LIST of performers:
Spoken Word Poetry from:
Kooky Tuason, Marty Tengco, Jing Reyna Jorge, The Makatas
Music Performance by:
Tanya Markova, Mojofly, Hinlalato, Lunch Poems,
Undecided, The Morning Episodes
and DJ Mike Lavarez
THE MORNING EPISODES’ Miguel Escueta. Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
As a testament to Levi’s courage in fighting for his place in the world, he has already gotten better. But a lot still remains to be done for his full healing. Mom Landa however was able to share an inspiring update last July 7, 2018 from this facebook post:
Hi, everyone! How are all of you? I’ve been adjusting to home life since graduating from the NICU. Mommy & Daddy have been adapting, too. Hello, sleepless nights!!! Hehe.
The fruits of your generosity allowed Levi to go home and graduate from N.I.C.U! He still needs our help through several procedures. Photo from Landa’s facebook.
We had a full day at the hospital a few days ago as we visited 3 of my doctors for a follow up. I also underwent a Cranial Ultrasound to check the Bilateral Periventricular Cyst my Doc saw in my brain when I was only a few days old. My Sonologist, DrBlaise Liao, said that it looks like my brain lesion has resolved itself. Thank you, God!!! We’re still waiting for official results but please help us pray everything’s clear.
My Ophthalmologist, Dr Santiago Sibayan, checked the status of my Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). I just had my eyes checked in this photo that’s why it’s a bit swollen & covered with ointment. ROP is an eye problem which occurs in some premature babies. Fortunately, I was diagnosed with only Stage 1 ROP when I was a few weeks old. Doc said it may resolve itself in time. He noted some scarring on my right eye which needs to be monitored every few weeks. Please help us pray my ROP resolves itself soon, too.
Luis and Landa Abundo with supportive friends. Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
My Surgeon, Dr Lester Suntay, said my surgery wound is healing well. He told us that he was surprised with how well my intestines were during surgery! He did not observe expected adhesions or strictures despite my bad condition during my 1st surgery. He called it divine intervention! We agree! Praise God for all His miracles!!!
My Gastroenterologist-Pedia, Dr Karen Calixto-Mercado, wants us to focus on my weight gain. We’ve got lots of catching up to do. My tummy has been acting up as a reaction to the oral antibiotics I was asked to take upon discharge. So I’ve been very gassy & have been struggling with feeding time at home. I know Mom & Dad are stressed about this but hopefully the Probiotics I’ve been given helps my tummy problems.
TANYA MARKOVA guitarist Isabel Ole; Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
Overall, it was a good day! Mom & Dad are happy with my doctors’ feedback. Me? I enjoyed the car ride! Thank you to Tita Catherine Barua for sharing Cairo’s baby carrier with me. It’s so comfy! Thank you Tita @hurricaneagnes&Tita @mikagami1921 for my soft swaddles! We appreciate your gifts!
Please continue to include me in your prayers. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/LeviLittleLionheart/ to find out the different ways you can still share to my NICU Fund. God bless you always!
Luis and LandaAbundo with family, friends and volunteers. Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
#LeviLittleLionheart #26weeker #prematurebaby #preemie #preemieawareness #preemiestrong #preemiesupport #preemiepower #preemiehope #ourlittlepreemie #NICUgrad #NICUgraduate #lifeafterNICUlife #preemiemom #preemiedad #preemieparents #littlewarrior #littlemiracle #fundraising #donation #pleasehelp #helpneeded #keepthefaith #prayerrequest #doctorsvisit #retinopathyofprematurity #rop #realtalk #generosity #kindness — with Luis Roberto and Landa A. Bautista-Abundo.
UNDECIDED; Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista (16)
Links
Levi Little Lionheart
Fb
https://www.facebook.com/LeviLittleLionheart/
gofundme
http://www.gofundme.com/levilittlelionheart
youcaring
https://www.youcaring.com/leviabundo-1091515
HINLALATO with Luis and Landa Abundo. Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Iwa Motors of TANYA MARKOVA and Clang Santos of HINLALATO. Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
Levi Little Lionheart
Fb
https://www.facebook.com/LeviLittleLionheart/
gofundme
http://www.gofundme.com/levilittlelionheart
youcaring
https://www.youcaring.com/leviabundo-1091515
TANYA MARKOVA with Luis and LandaAbundo; Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
Levi Little Lionheart
Fb
https://www.facebook.com/LeviLittleLionheart/
gofundme
http://www.gofundme.com/levilittlelionheart
youcaring
https://www.youcaring.com/leviabundo-1091515
LUNCH POEMS; Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
Levi Little Lionheart
Fb
https://www.facebook.com/LeviLittleLionheart/
gofundme
http://www.gofundme.com/levilittlelionheart
youcaring
https://www.youcaring.com/leviabundo-1091515
TANYA MARKOVA Tambourine Mow mow; Rock N Rawr a fundraising for Levi Abundo was held at DULO MNL a bar in Poblacion Makati last March 23, 2018. Photo by Jude Bautista
Spoken Word Poetry from:
Kooky Tuason, Marty Tengco, Jing Reyna Jorge, The Makatas
Music Performance by:
Tanya Markova, Mojofly, Hinlalato, Lunch Poems,
Undecided, The Morning Episodes
and DJ Mike Lavarez
Text and Photos by Jude Bautista