This man rose above disability and became a Barangay Chairman

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 30, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  There is no such thing as disability, just this ability. This is what a seven year old child who is a polio victim, always told himself. And this he proved to himself is indeed true. He has been the barangay chairman of his barangay for many years already and this year, he was elected as President of the Federation of Persons with Disabilities of Leyte, Inc.

Romulo Advincula was a very healthy, intelligent and normal child until he became very sick when he was seven years old. That was also the time when his parents had a stormy marriage that led to their separation. He was brought to the hospital but he was not given so much attention because of his parents’ marital problems.

He got well, thanks God. But his two feet were affected and can no longer walk. He walked sitting down since then. Despite his disability, he continued going to school and was able to be on top of his class, humbly and patiently turning deaf ears when young children made fun of him because of the way he walked.

After graduating in the elementary level, however, his father could no longer send him to school and so he made himself useful in their home doing light chores.

Forever believing that there is no such thing as disability, Romulo did not have any inferiority complex and had a very good relationship with the people in his barangay. When he had money, he lent this to the needy people of the barangay. Through this, he was not only able to earn good income but also earned the respect of the people.

As the famous Helen Keller once said, ”Faith is  the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light”. Just like Helen Keller, Romulo is an amazing example of a person who regarded his physical disability as an advantage rather that a weakness and therefore saw no limit to what he could achieve.

In 1989, he was requested by the people of his Barangay to run as barangay chairman which he readily did and so he was elected by a big margin as the chairman of Barangay Bungdo, Julita, Leyte, a duty which he performed so well.

His barangay used to be a notorious barangay where bickering and shouting incidents are very common. Today because of Romulo’s ability, the barangay is a peaceful and progressive barangay. His secret? He requested the support of the police so that everytime there is bickering and shouting incidents, the culprits were punished by making them clean and weed the barangay plaza or the comfort room.

Disability means so many things to so many people. The disabled or differently abled population encompasses a variety of physical conditions such as blindness, deafness, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, attention deficit disorder and depression. There are many more.

But as Romulo and many people with disabilities know, it’s a mistake to confuse disability with inability.