Pinoy teen's wish comes true at US comic book convention

A Filipino teenager may have lost his leg to cancer two years ago but he managed to achieve something that others can only dream of: join this year’s comic book convention in San Diego, California in the United States. According to an article on the Asian Journal, Patrick Lindo of New York was very happy to have joined the panel of Filipino pioneers in the mainstream comic industry, including legends Tony DeZuniga, Ernie Chan, Alex Nino and Gerry Alanguilan at the event. These legends, who became DC and Marvel artists in 1970s, were featured in the "Philippine Invasion" panel of the San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC) last Sunday (Monday in Manila). The Asian Journal said the SDCC “is recognized as the largest comic convention bringing hundreds of thousands of people of different diversities and walk of life together to nerd out on all things relating to science fiction, fantasy, anime and comics." The report said Lindo, 17, "hobbled on one leg and as he walked with a prosthetic leg" but still found his experience at the convention amazing. “I couldn’t believe it was actually happening," Lindo said in the report. Make-a-Wish Foundation The report said Lindo’s wish came true, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which describes itself as the US' largest wish-granting organization. Lindo's first wish had been to visit Japan and meet a Japanese manga artist. He also wished to visit the San Diego Comic Book convention. However, his first wish could not be granted because of the magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami in March this year. “It doesn’t really matter [now] because coming here to San Diego is just great. I’ve been able to meet with so many of my favorite artists and game producers… and now, these Filipino pioneers that I’ve heard so much about," he said in the report. The report said Lindo, an honor student at Sacred Heart High School in New York, is a hardcore comic book fan, especially of Japanese manga. “These Filipino pioneers paved the way for other Filipinos artists to come here to the United States… They helped them with their careers," he said. Lost leg The Asian Journal said Lindo had lost his leg to cancer when he was 15. At the time, doctors told him he had a tumor in his left fibula. Instead of trying to save his leg, Lindo asked doctors to amputate the part of his left leg above the knee to remove the cancerous tumor, the report said. His mother Sophia was quoted in the report as saying: “He is such a brave person. He never complained. He was so positive about everything and I’m proud of him. It’s just nice that the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hudson Valley helped him grant his wish to come here to comic con." — JE/VVP, GMA News