Bea Santiago narrates how younger brother donated his kidney to her: ‘He extended my life, he saved me’

Bea Santiago couldn’t help but feel eternally grateful to her 24-year-old brother Paul, who donated his kidney amid her battle with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

But in an episode of "Updated with Nelson Canlas," the Miss International 2013 revealed Paul wasn't her first choice for her donor.

Her mom and sister had already undergone procedures to see if their kidneys were compatible with hers.

However, there were “problems and irregularities” with her mother’s, while her sister had to prioritize her plans to build a family. It was then that Paul stood up and volunteered.

“My brother was like, ‘Okay, I’ll do it. He was like, ‘Let’s do it.’ Beforehand, while my sister was deciding the next few steps, my brother was already saying, ‘Bakit ang tagal? Ako na nga,’” Bea shared.

The 32-year-old beauty queen said Paul didn’t even have to think twice about it. He was even the one who urged her to return to Canada immediately to begin with the procedure.

“Why are you still there? Why you’re not flying here by tomorrow? Why are you waiting? What are you waiting for?’ It was him na kind of gave me the confidence to leap and fly back to Canada. It was him.”

According to Bea, "it was the very first time I have seen him do something that’s so mature and brave."

“He extended my life, basically. He saved me.” 

The Miss International 2013 was diagnosed in 2017 with CKD, where her own body organ attacked itself. She has since relied on dialysis and hospital visits.

In April, finally, she announced that she finally underwent a kidney transplant thanks to her brother Paul.

Bea said the transplant just took a while because of the pandemic, but Paul made sure to be hands-on with everything — from calling donor programs and donor teams to asking for updates each time.

Concerned about her brother, Bea said she actually asked Paul if he felt forced to give his kidney to her. To which, Paul got mad and said: “‘Ano ba, Ate Bea? Ikaw, you would do this for me, right?’”

“[I said], ‘I’m gonna accept your gift, but you have to promise me that you’ll live a healthy, beautiful life because as an ate, I want to see you live a beautiful life,’” Bea said, recalling their conversation.

“Sabi niya, ‘Ate Bea, baliktad. I want to see you live a beautiful life,’ and ‘di ba? My God! It’s a beautiful exchange of words with my brother,” she added.

With Paul’s deed, Bea said she felt just how much love her brother has for her. He is now her inspiration.

“For him to stand up like that as a man, to rescue me, that was more than bravery. That’s a lot of deep love,” she said. “Napaka loving, napaka beautiful person.”

“My brother’s he’s my inspiration to live a beautiful life, basically to live a meaningful life with purpose. I am gifted a second chance in life and I’m not gonna waste it with small things na hindi important.”

In the second part of her interview with the “Updated with Nelson Canlas” podcast, Bea will share what went just before she and Paul were about to undergo operation. — LA, GMA News