Hi, I'm Allison, and I've started this GoFundMe for my parents without their knowledge to help raise whatever funds can help them through a very tough time--my grandfather's very sudden and extreme illness that currently has him on life support as of December 21, 2025 in the Philippines.

My grandfather, whom we affectionately call Tatay, has pneumonia and congestive heart failure that has had him in the ICU since December 18, 2025. At first, he only agreed to go to the hospital for a "regular check up" since he was found hunched over in pain, but has since been intubated and been on life support since he's been admitted. We are now officially to the point where my Mom and grandmother (Mamu) are traveling home, preparing to potentially say their goodbyes. My Tatay is truly a strong and integral part of my family's foundation--him and my other grandparents helped raise me during my childhood and I wish there was more I could do to help, which is what drove me to creating this GoFundMe. We visited the Philippines earlier this year with the only sole intention to spend time with him and my Lola (my grandmother from my dad's side) but did not expect for things to become grim so soon.

Those who aren't familiar with the Philippines' healthcare system will be disheartened to know that insurance is very hard and rare to acquire in the Philippines. My parents have had to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket every day the past couple of days, not only for his medication, treatments, and regular hospital bills, but now thousands of dollars to fly home suddenly halfway across the world during the holidays. Their upcoming costs with just his illness are expected to exceed millions of Philippine Pesos in the coming days, not to mention the financial burden of costs associated to flying home, staying home, and truly, just the unthinkable future that may be our reality--funeral costs, travel costs, things my mom and dad did not expect to have to pay out of pocket so suddenly.

Our family is emotionally strained and overwhelmingly struggling to come to terms with this news, especially during the holiday season. In the past 24 hours, we've had to travel home, celebrate Christmas 5 days early, and help pack pictures, letters, and anything that can somehow lift my Tatay's spirits--since my Mom and grandma (Mamu) will be traveling home to the Philippines tomorrow. My parents don't know I've started this GoFundMe, but the greatest gift I could offer them this holiday season is support much beyond of what only I can offer.

My parents and I have been lucky enough to be able to emigrate to the United States in search of a better life not only for themselves, but for their kids as well, and it's a privilege we do not take for granted, but has also since been an unbearable burden for when we have emergencies within our family. Please consider yourself so blessed if you're near loved ones this season; I know we all wish that my Tatay was only a short drive or short plane ride away, not over a 16 hour flight away when time is truly of the essence. Speaking on behalf of my family, we truly wish you the happiest of holidays and appreciate any thoughts, prayers, and support you may be able to give us this season.