For better or for worse. These words have never been more true for Rochelle Rubiso, who is now taking care of her cancer-stricken husband.
Rochelle’s love for her husband has inspired more than one and a half million people as a video of her singing to her husband while feeding him through a feeding tube has gone viral.
“Singing a worship song while feeding my husband,” Rochelle captioned her video, which she shared on her Facebook page.
“Ibibigay ko ang buhay ko sa kaniya. Ganyan ko siya kamahal. Kahit anong sakripisyo basta para sa kaniya,” Rochelle said.
(I will give my life to him. That is how much I love him. I can sacrifice anything for him.”)
Rochelle’s husband, Junbert Rubiso, was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. They have two kids together.
Celebrating life
Junbert celebrated his 29th birthday on June 12. In a touching birthday message, Rochelle urged her husband not to give up, and to have faith in God. She also reassured him of her love and the children’s love for him.
And though Junbert is now completely helpless, having lost his ability to move, speak, and eat on his own, and most recently, his eyesight, Rochelle continues to love him unconditionally. The couple even renewed their vows on June 9.
“I will endure anything if that means you will get well,” Rochelle said in the vernacular in her vow.
Click next for Junbert and Rochelle’s love story
A love story that spans almost a decade
On June 10, Rochelle could not help but cry as she recalled happier days.
“Langga (love) when I saw this bigla kong naalala at di ko napigilang tumulo ang mga luha ko (I suddenly remembered and could not help crying),” Rochelle captioned a photo of crabs, and went on to narrate how Junbert had gone to the seaside to wait for the fishermen and ask them for crabs.
“Sana gumaling ka na,miss n miss na kita..ung pag-aalala m0 sa akin, yung mga paglalambing mo, yung mga halik mo na siyang gumigising sa akin kapag aalis o dadating ka na tulog ako..we really miss you, malapit na ang birthday mo ..we always pray na pagalingin ka na ni GOD..I love you and I miss you as a husband and a father to our two kids..”
(I hope you get well soon, I miss you so much…the way you worry about me, your sweetness, your kisses that used to wake me before you left or when you came home while I was asleep…We really miss you, your birthday is near…we always pray God will heal you…)
Junbert and Rochelle’s love story begun in 2008 when they shared a dance during a fiesta in Sibuyan. The two were wed in 2010, and moved to Manila soon after in search of greener pastures.
They were homeless during their first days in the city and lived on the streets for five days, seeking shelter in a bus station in Pasay while they worked in Baclaran.
Junbert worked as a security guard, many times extending his hours to provide for their two children. One day, while on duty, Junbert suddenly felt dizzy and vomited.
Junbert was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor near his brain stem. The tumor, inoperable.
Next: Rochelle on letting go
Coping and learning to let go
It’s been a long and hard journey for Rochelle and Junbert. With no income, they can hardly get by, nor can they cannot afford the medication of Junbert. Rochelle is unable to work because she is the sole caregiver of Junbert. The family of four rely on help from family and friends.
“Kung ano yung kalooban ng Diyos, kailangan ko i-let-go. Masakit kasi hindi ko hawak ang buhay niya,” Rochelle said in an interview with Jessica Soho.
(Whatever the Lord wills, I have to let go. It hurts because I do not hold his life in my hands.)
But despite the hardships and heartache, their love remains strong. Junbert may no longer speak or move, but within the four corners of their room, love overflows, filled with the sound of Rochelle’s singing.
For Rochelle, singing praise and worship songs has become her way of easing Junbert’s pain and showing him that she loves him. It also reminds them both that God loves them unconditionally.
Read: 15 Cancer signs in children that you might be ignoring
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