Senator Christopher “Bong” Go chose to mark his birthday week not with parties or fanfare but by spending time with pediatric cancer patients at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City on 12 June, Independence Day.

The senator, who turns 51 on June 14, said he has never been one to celebrate birthdays — a practice he traced to the example set by former President Rodrigo Duterte — and would much rather dedicate his time to serving others, especially sick children.

“Tuwing kaarawan ko, hindi talaga ako nag-celebrate, nagtatago lang ako. Dahil hindi po ako nagbi-birthday party,” Go said. “Simula bata pa po ako, hindi po talaga ako nagbi-birthday party. Gusto ko po nasa bahay lang at magdasal. Kasi noong panahon ni Pangulong Duterte, hindi talaga siya nagpa-party. Kaya ako rin, nahiya naman po ako. Kung hindi siya nagpa-party, siyempre, sino ba naman ako para mag-party?”

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance since 2019, Go has continuously prioritized health-related programs — particularly for the youth. He has made it a tradition to visit young patients at PCMC near his birthday, seeking not just to bring joy to their faces but also to personally assess what more can be done to assist the hospital and its patients.

He recounted how this tradition began seven years ago when he first met John Paul Culiao, a then-young cancer patient whose strength and friendship have since left a lasting impression.

Today, Culiao stands as a symbol of hope, having survived his illness and grown alongside Go’s continued service.

“Napakaliit pa niya noon. Ngayon pala ay nagpatuli na si John Paul. Kaya salamat at pumayag kang magpatuli,” the senator said, smiling, before noting the significance of John Paul’s recovery.

“Mas lalong lumaki si John Paul ngayon. At cancer survivor na po siya. At marami rin po silang natutulungan,” he added.

Speaking before the hospital community, Go urged patients — especially children — to hold on to hope, even in the face of illness. He acknowledged the emotional toll on both children and their families, emphasizing faith and mutual support as essential to healing.

“Ang wish ko lang po ngayong araw na ito para sa mga bata — ‘wag po kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa. May Panginoon naman po. Ang hirap magkasakit, lalung-lalo na po sa mga magulang na may anak na may karamdaman. Pero katulad ni John Paul, ‘wag po kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa. Habang may Panginoon, magtulungan lang tayo. Hindi Niya tayo pababayaan,” he said.

Go also took a moment to acknowledge those who have continuously supported the hospital and its programs. He expressed gratitude to Dr. Rafael Fudullig, Senior House Officer of PCMC; Emily Sanchez, Head of the Malasakit Center; and Pilita Raga of the Touch of Love Foundation for their tireless service.

In line with his health advocacy, Go used the opportunity to highlight key government programs that support low-income Filipinos facing medical hardship. He once again underscored the importance of the Malasakit Centers, a program institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463 — of which he is the principal author and sponsor.

“Isa lang po ang pakiusap ko sa lahat ng nandirito sa ospital — huwag pong pabayaan ang ating mga kababayang mahihirap. Dapat po meron silang matakbuhan. Ang Malasakit Center, para po ‘yan sa Pilipino. Karapatan n’yo po ‘yan. Pera n’yo po ‘yan,” he declared.

These one-stop shops consolidate medical assistance programs to reduce patients’ out-of-pocket expenses. As of now, 167 Malasakit Centers have been established nationwide, with the Department of Health (DOH) reporting that the initiative has already benefited over 17 million Filipinos.

Veteran actor and Go’s longtime friend, Philip Salvador, offered a heartfelt tribute to the senator’s enduring service to the poor and sick. He described the Malasakit Centers as one of the most compassionate and impactful legacies in Philippine healthcare.

He stressed that these centers — visited by their team countless times across the country — are not just policy milestones but lifelines for ordinary Filipinos. “Si Senator Bong Go po, hindi tumitigil sa kakaisip kung ano pa ang puwedeng maitulong sa mga Pilipino sa ating mga kalusugan. ‘Yan ang una sa kanya.”

To ensure access to more advanced care at the regional level, Go also principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The law mandates the establishment of specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals, including those focused on cancer treatment, so that Filipinos need not travel far for specialized services.

Go has also consistently pushed for sufficient funding for the Cancer Assistance Fund year after year.

During the event, John Paul Culiao, now almost 12 years old, delivered a heartfelt speech honoring Go and the bond they had formed through the years. His words echoed the same faith and resilience that Go had spoken of.

“In 2018, we met here at PCMC. I was a young boy — a young boy, a young boy — and I was fighting cancer. In 2018, you were not yet a senator, but you were helping those in need. Now, in 2025, I will be cancer-free for two years.”

He went on to describe Go as someone who is deeply admired, even in remote communities. “The senator who makes history in the Philippine election, who receives phenomenal numbers of votes dahil ‘yan sa iyong totoong malasakit,” John Paul said.

He ended his tribute with a touching message: “Imbis na ikaw ang tumanggap ng regalo, ikaw ang nagbibigay ng regalo sa mga batang may karamdaman na naririto. Dalangin ko na bigyan ka pa Niya ng mahabang buhay upang marami ka pang matulungan. Lagi mo pong tatandaan na mahal na mahal po kita.”

Meanwhile, Go closed his message with sincere gratitude and a renewed promise to serve. “Ako po ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya. Ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo po ako ng pangalawang pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo pong muli sa inyo.”

To the children undergoing treatment, Go offered a final message of strength and hope. “‘Wag po tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Si John Paul nga noon, kailangan rin magpagupit. Ngayon, kapal na ng buhok — gumaling na. Habang may buhay tayo, ‘wag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. May Panginoon naman po na hindi Niya kayo papabayaan.”

As in previous years, Go’s office distributed food and gifts to the young patients — a quiet celebration that spoke volumes about his values. Go’s birthday was marked by empathy, presence, and a renewed commitment to those who need service the most.