From someone most would least expect, Joy Calimlim Habana embodies resilience, positivity, and grace. A delivery rider, a father, an athlete, an advocate, his presence is striking—not because of his missing leg, but because of the warmth and strength he radiates. His smile is genuine, unburdened by bitterness, and his voice carries kindness. His eyes reflect quiet strength.
True to his name, Joy brings an atmosphere of lightness and peace, making an impression that goes beyond physical circumstances. He is not defined by his condition but by the way he carries himself—with pride, dignity, and an undeniable ability to uplift those around him. When one gets the chance to speak with him, they see how he inspires admiration rather than pity.
A Life That Almost Wasn’t
Habana’s story began with a cruel twist of fate. Before his birth, his mother had taken maternal-induced medication, unaware of the life altering consequence it would bring. To this day, He never truly knew the real reason behind it, only that it was a decision his parents carried with them. Against all odds however, he survived. Yet the effects of the medication had already made its mark. When he was delivered, the doctor discovered that one of his legs had a condition he does not recall. The doctor recommended amputation. When he recalls this part of his story, and as he tells it, there is no trace of bitterness in his voice. No anger. No resentment. Just calm acceptance. “Hindi naman ako nagalit, kasi inalagaan naman nila ako”, he exclaims. He chose to focus on the love he was shown, the kind his parents gave in abundance.
Strength Forged Through Struggle
As a child, Habana faced challenges most could only imagine. For the first nine years of his life, he didn’t have a properly fitted crutch. He relied on the help of his family and friends to assist him in going from one place to another, his mobility dependent on the generosity of those around him. But, he was not one to settle for dependence. With sheer grit, he taught himself to hop on his remaining leg. His independence came at a painful price, but with each fall, he grew stronger. He didn’t just learn to stand, he learned to rise.
School, however, gave him a different challenge. Though he had friends, bullies frequented him. Cruel jokes, stares, and taunts followed him. They would make fun of his missing leg, even his gait. The words stung, but instead of feeling sorry for himself, He chose to prove himself through action. He made a vow to himself to become someone they would look up to, not pity, not ridicule. He refused to let their words define him. Instead he used them as fuel to strive harder. He saw sports not just as an outlet for his frustration but as an avenue to take control and define himself as he saw fit. “Sabi ko, gusto titingalain ako, hindi kaaawaan o nabubully.” And so with his ever-unyielding determination, He turned to sports.
An Athlete Against All Odds
While many would have viewed his condition as a limitation, Habana saw it as an invitation to defy expectations. At just 17 years old, he ran his first 21-kilometer marathon. The physical strain would have been grueling for even an able-bodied runner, but he completed the race with only one foot. Running, however, was only the beginning.
In 1988, he competed in the first ever Palarong Pambansa for Persons with Disabilities. And he didn’t just participate, he dominated. In the 100-meter dash, he crossed the finish line in an astonishing 12 seconds, claiming gold. In 1988, he competed in the first-ever Palarong Pambansa for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). He didn’t just participate, he dominated. In the 100-meter dash, he crossed the finish line in an astonishing 12 seconds, claiming gold. Running was just the beginning. He even dabbled into badminton and table tennis. However, His passion for sports did not constrain him on land, he also took to the sea. He joined the Sailability Philippines “Para Sailing Team”, a PWD parasailing team. With nothing but the wind and waves, he found freedom on the water, gliding across the sea with the same dauntlessness he brought to his life.
Even the vastness of the ocean could not limit him. What made his victories so powerful wasn’t the podium finishes; it was the message they sent—that disability does not define potential. Every time he competed, he was making a statement not just for himself, but for the entire PWD community.
Delivering More Than Food
Today, Habana rides the streets as a delivery rider, providing for his family with trellis dedication. But his job goes beyond just being a means to survive, it symbolizes true resilience. As he navigates the cramped and chaotic streets of Metro Manila, Habana doesn’t just deliver food, he delivers hope, with every ride showing his determination, and each completed order a reminder that he has never allowed his condition to hold him back. But his work comes with immense physical and logistical struggles. Pedaling an e-bike with one leg is no small feat, it demands twice the effort and balance, especially on roads uneven. When faced with steep inclines, he often has to push his e-bike on foot. There have also been days when he returned home empty handed, having long both time and income. Days when his body ached from the strain but his wallet remained painfully light. Yet, Habana refuses defeat.
Though he has encountered inevitable hardships, he firmly believes that there is more goodness than cruelty in the world. When talking about his experience, he says, “Kapag tinitignan ko yung negative at positive, mas marami pa rin talagang positive, e.” For him, every kind gesture carries more weight than any challenge. It’s this belief in goodness, the same belief he carried him through every fall and every setback that keeps him going.
For Habana, every ride is a sacrifice made out of love. With each delivery, he provides for his loved ones and secures a future for his children. But more than that, he delivers a message, one far more valuable than the food he carries, that strength comes not from what one lacks, but from what they refuse to surrender.
An Advocate for the PWD Community
Beyond the road, Habana continues to fight for the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities (PWDs). To him, true accessibility was not merely about ramps, it was about creating a society where PWDs could move through the world without the constant reminders of their limitations.
Today, Joy Calimlim Habana’s greatest motivation is his family. His wife and children are his source of strength. After all, he’s doing everything he can to ensure they have a better future than he did. His story is not about limitation, it’s about possibility. With every step, every delivery, and every challenge he faces, he carries a message of hope and drive to fight. Concluding his interview, if he wanted people in the PWD community to learn something from him, it would be: Your condition doesn’t define you, you are more than it. “Gusto ko malaman nila na yung mga paghihirap na nararansan nila, matatapos din yun, malalagpasan din nila yun. Tsaka wala silang dapat ikahiya, dapat lalo pa nilang gamitin yung pagiging disabled nila para mag pursigi na mapatunayan na hindi lang yun ang pagkatao nila.”
