HemoWife - a Column by Allyx Formalejo

I wish more people would see my husband, Jared, the way our daughter sees him. In her eyes, he’s a revered figure, just short of a cape-wearing superhero. Now nearly 5, she’s at an age when most little girls demonstrate a special, almost romantic, adoration for their daddies. But perhaps…

Meticulous planning is familiar to many of us in the hemophilia community. I’ve previously discussed how my family accommodates my husband Jared’s severe hemophilia B while planning ahead, whether it’s for travel or our future. For instance, preparing for trips and vacations involves a checklist; we…

While searching for content ideas for a client, I stumbled on an Instagram post that immediately caught my attention. “Human beings are seasonal,” the post stated — more or less, as I can’t recall the exact wording. But I’ve managed to internalize three key points on the subject: Life has…

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often overlook the extraordinary within the ordinary. My husband, Jared, has hemophilia, and we’ve found that living with the bleeding disorder has a way of sprinkling our lives with one-of-a-kind situations that might seem mundane to us but are…

My husband, Jared, carries his hemophilia well. At first glance, he appears healthy, with a solid physique, and he actively engages in sports. The keloid scars running down his arms contribute to his rugged charm. Some might dub him a model hemophilia patient, an example to follow. During…

As a “HemoWife,” I’ve had the privilege of connecting with numerous people in the hemophilia community. While our shared experiences allow us to create a strong bond, one important topic often remains unspoken: the social and mental maladjustment that some people with hemophilia may face due to…

My husband, Jared, and I have now been married five years! In celebration of our anniversary, I dedicate this letter to him. To my dearest husband (and our daughter’s one and only “bleedy boy“), Five years have passed since the day we made a lifelong commitment to each…

As the carer of my husband, Jared, who has hemophilia B and a seizure disorder, I’ve realized the importance of communication, understanding, and empathy. Focusing on these values helps us mature in our roles while balancing personal challenges, which for me include being a caregiver, mother, and a person…

In a society deeply rooted in patriarchal values, expectations regarding masculinity often dictate men’s roles and behaviors. With its historical background of colonization, the Philippines, where I live, has fostered a set of traditional norms regarding how men must assert dominance, provide for their families, and adhere to…

My husband, Jared, and I were recently captivated by the valedictory of Val Llamelo, the 2023 top graduate of the University of the Philippines. His address garnered widespread attention on social media for its criticism of “inspiration” and the societal issues it masks. These points resonated deeply with…