NELSON YMBOL

(The Great Entertainer)

                Nelson Baroro Ymbol, mostly known as “Nonoy Ymbol” is considered as the great musician and entertainer in the province of Siquijor despite of being blind. He is a son of Alberto Ymbol and Aurelia Baroro and the eldest among eleven children. Three of his siblings suffered from a very high fever when they were still few months old but unfortunately, they were not able to survive. When he came out from his mother’s womb, his eyes were fine but his entire head was soft which made his parents handled him very carefully. When he was one week old, his mother, Aurelia, had eaten “bihag” or the rooster which died in cockfighting. After that, he suffered a very high fever causing his eyes to appear different from its usual or normal condition as if it was burned due to his body’s very high temperature. That was the time when he became blind.

            At the age of four, his parents noticed that he had a passion in music. He started to play the ukulele while singing incoherently. When he became six years old, he was brought to school together with his younger brother, Emerson. He looked like a normal school boy who stayed in the classroom with the others. “I even memorized the whole comic book entitled Pepe en Pilar while listening to others who are reading it. He admitted that he was once a victim of bullying. Many children used to playfully call him “buta” but he just ignored them for he could not do anything to beat them.

            "I admit, I did not believe in God that time because of all the people, why me?” he said. That question was engraved in his mind which he could not get rid of. At first, it was hard for him to accept his situation but he did not realize that as time went by, he was going to put his whole heart in God again.

            He was sixteen years old when he begun joining in amateur singing contests and in different occasions such as birthdays and fiestas. In 1983, at the age of 28, he went to a fiesta somewhere in Pili, Siquijor because he was invited by a friend. He never expected that he was going to meet the woman whon he will treasure for the rest of his life. He met Renie Balanay, the eldest daughter of Felixberto Balanay and Edelberta Duhaylungsod. He was overwhelmed because of her caring and hospitable attitude. He courted her and she accepted it until they got married. In January 20, 1985, Renie gave birth to a healthy baby boy whom they named Lourenel Marie.

            In 2012, Nonoy Ymbol was unexpectedly bitten by his dog. Chowking, the dog, was naturally fierce unlike his other dogs before. He was rushed to the hospital but the doctor said they have to pay for the anti-rabbis injection worth PHP 18,000 for one vial. Unable to pay for the amount, someone extended help to pay for it.

            Now, he is living a simple yet happy life with his wife since his son is in Manila who already had a family of his own. He still performs in different occasions. Every Friday, he goes to Baha Bar in Maite San Juan to perform for the guests.

            Despite of being blind, he is contented for what God had given him. According to him, “Those people who have disability should not lose hope. Instead, should use their disability as an inspiration to move on from life.”

Members:

Jaira M. Balanay

Charmaine Anhao

Zaisa Caspis

Marney Marie Barot

Rejane Tingcang