Mang Lando's Only Friend

Mang Eduardo Dela Cruz, 59 years old, a street pauper in Plaza Sta. Cruz, is the only considered friend of Mang Lando. They have known each other for two years now, but they rarely meet with each other, as being a pauper is a lonely business--no one shares the misfortune of another. It is every man for himself in the grimy world of paupery in midnight Manila downtown.

Unlike Mang Lando, however, Mang Eduardo is still in denial of his leprosy illness. He considers his severe skin lesions as keloids. As such, he continually refuses to accept any medications to treat his leprosy. I noticed some of his fingers and toes becoming shorter, the classic symptoms of leprosy.

I drove straight to the point saying that he had leprosy. His nice demeanor suddenly changed into one of anger."Hindi! Wala akong ketong! Keloids lang ito!" he said smirking. (No! This is not leprosy! This is just keloids!)

I told him I would assist him to San Lazaro Hospital* so he could be treated right away, but he refused, saying that he doesn't need doctors. I would have argued with him, but he walked away immediately to seek shelter in his grimy sidewalk home in Gandara Street.

He vanished quickly in the darkness.

*San Lazarao is a government hospital in Avenida Rizal. Every public hospital/local health center has a supply of free leprosy medications (all anti-biotics). That is, if they are not hoarded by corrupt government officials.