Soldier who lost eyesight in Maguindanao blast to join run for fallen, wounded comrades

Army 2Lt. Jerome Jacuba, 28, still bears the wounds from the explosion that took his eyesight six months ago.

The improvised explosive device that blew off while he was on duty in Maguindanao left scars from its shrapnels, as well as grains of sand on his skin.

The injury has rendered him blind, with chances to get only "glimpses of light," but the Army officer who made President Rodrigo Duterte teary-eyed in a hug at the AFP General Hospital last August wants to show he can still do more.

Jacuba has finished a six-week course on non-visual desktop access (NVDA) and can now use basic computer programs on a laptop given by the President.

Determined to move forward, Jacuba will also join the fifth Heroes Run in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on October 30.

Jacuba will run in the five-kilometer category of the annual run, organized by the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association for families of fallen soldiers and those wounded in action.

He said doing so "is a self-reaffirmation that I can still do something for the Philippine Army and for the families of my fellow soldiers in spite of my present circumstances."

A father to two young girls—the youngest he saw last when she was only 22 days old, Jacuba added: "I also would want to set a good example to my daughters.

The lieutenant will be assisted by his brother, Private First Class Joevanny Jacuba, also an enlisted personnel of the Army.

The fifth Heroes Run will be held simultaneously in Manila, Iloilo, and Davao on October 30, then in Baguio City on November 13. 

Those who wish to participate may visit www.army.mil.ph/heroesrun2016/info.htm or contact the organizers at 09950129988. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ, GMA News