Francisco Ednaco, 54 years old from the province of San Antonio Quezon, grew up with a happy family. As the eldest of his six siblings, his father, who worked as a farmer, taught him to be responsible. He had high dreams for his family and is very determined to achieve these no matter what.
However, his spirit was dampened after he got into an accident in 1988. His spinal cord was injured which afflicted his lower extremity. He was hospitalized for nine (9) months at the San Antonio Hospital in Quezon. Unfortunately, he could not walk again which made him depressed. His married life was also affected because his wife left him with his four (4) children.
Francisco eventually sought employment in “Tahanang Walang Hagdanan” but his income was not enough to support his children. Then, he heard about the programs and services of the National Vocation Rehabilitation Center (NVRC) which is being managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR).
He decided to enroll at NVRC and underwent training in Watch Repair Course. He displayed positive attitude to improve his skills and to gain knowledge for personal growth. While completing his On-the-Job Training (OJT) at Rico’s Watch Repair Shop, he also put up his own watch repair stand to further enhance his skills and earn for a living.
With his dedication, Francisco was awarded as the Best Trainee of the NVRC. He continues to manage his watch repair shop after he graduated. He also accommodates and accepts persons with disabilities (PWDs) who wanted to undergo in OJT.
Moreover, he excels into basketball wherein he got silver award as part of the Men National Team Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) and South East Asia (SEA) Paragames held in Vietnam. His team also bagged bronze medal in Malaysia (2009), Kuwait (2012), Myanmar (2013) and Asian Incheon Games in 2014.
Aside from basketball, he is also a strong contender in bowling since 2010 and was able to get the silver medal award in Indonesia.
Francisco said that though he can’t walk like ordinary people due his disability, it doesn’t hinder him to go places where he wanted to be. Indeed, he believes that ability not disability is the key to succeed in his own journey called life. (Contributor: Marivic Kitan) ###