Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4, Makati City
17 August 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino III graced the book launching of newspaper columnist William “Billy” Esposo’s “Surviving Chronic Kidney Disease: The Billy Esposo Kidney Diaries,” an autobiography that features his decade long fight against chronic renal disease, held at the Powerbooks in Greenbelt 4, Makati City.

In his message, President Aquino congratulated Esposo in coming up with a book that will help others to overcome the same disease. “They say that knowing is half the battle, and certainly, “Surviving Chronic Kidney Disease: The Billy Esposo Kidney Diaries” is a good weapon to help those he calls his classmates -Filipinos who have similar illnesses- win the fight against such a painful disease,” he said.

“While we in the government are working to strengthen public health programs and coverage, and while you medical professionals are attending to the health and needs of your patience, Billy is attacking the problem from a different angle altogether,” the President added.

Diagnosed with end-stage chronic renal disease, a gradual loss of kidney function over time, Esposo had copiously taken down notes in his journal his personal insights about his fight and triumph against the disease. The book covers 94 entries from his journal since he underwent kidney transplant and hemodialysis all the way from 1999.

According to Esposo, his doctors convinced him to write a book about his journey after he successfully underwent 24 months of hemodialysis. With his personal insight and mastery of words, the doctors said that he could make use of his talent to shed light and information on the struggle, and the life changing effects it can have to people suffering from the same ailment.

A self-acknowledged foodie, Esposo is just one of the thousands afflicted by the same disease that has gained wide medical concern, making it to the top 10 leading causes of Filipino mortality, with 10,000 Filipinos diagnosed yearly.

*  *  *