In a place in Iloilo, there is an individual with an extraordinary ability who can perform tasks similar to those of a regular person despite only using his feet. He was born without hands. Our hands are crucial as they are one of the most used parts of our body. Nearly all our activities require our hands. If we think about it as a normal person, we probably wouldn’t be able to live a full life without our hands. We might be overcome by hopelessness, shame, and frustration if we find ourselves in such a situation.
However, a fellow countryman from Barangay Lo-ong Conception in Iloilo, Marjo Lardera, aged 73, showed us something different. He was born without hands since childhood, and one probable reason for this was a medical complication during his birth. But this didn’t deter him; in fact, he can do many tasks using only his feet. He’s skilled in welding, carpentry, fetching water, and even tilling the soil with a shovel.
At eleven, Marjo already knew carpentry, as it was a skill necessary to support his siblings. You can see in his videos that he creates sound boxes, videoke machines, incubators, and more. It’s astonishing that he can even use an electric drill, pliers, and a knife with his feet. His wife, Jinelyn Lardera, is his partner in these tasks. They also have a 10-year-old son whom they are sending to school.
Marjo shares that he needs to work hard and be resourceful for his family. He doesn’t want to be a burden. Currently, he’s creating videos to supplement his income for his family. Some of these videos have even gone viral. Let’s continue to support him. Below is the link to his Facebook videos (reels), I hope that his talents gain more recognition.