Alex, 27, is celebrating his seventh birthday

By Sharon Tanda
ALEXANDER Opop is 27 tomorrow, but is celebrating only his seventh birthday.
Alex is one of the millions of (special – according to his dad) people around the world referred to as “leaplings”, “leapers” or leap-year babies” who celebrate their birthdays once every four years. Feb 29 comes around on a leap year, such as this year 2020.

“When I was a kid, I was offended and hurt because I could not celebrate my birthday every year (such as everyone else) and was teased frequently.
“This was until one day, when I was old enough to understand, my father explained to me that there are 365 days in a normal year and then there is an extra day that comes once every four years. And I was special enough to be born on that day. My dad made it sound like February 29 had handpicked me. That’s when I knew I was special.”
He is from Ainemanda in Wabag, Enga. He was born on the morning of Feb 29, 1992 at the Mambisenda General Hospital in Wapenamanda, Enga.
His dad Noasen and mum Patricia were then teaching at the Wamapisa Primary School in Wapenamanda.
Today, a picture of little baby Alex and his mum still hangs on the wall of the hospital’s labour ward. Under the picture is written: Leap Year Baby.

“ We are special person born on a special day. Leap year kids always have the strongest attitude. Own it.”

He has an elder sister Beulah and younger brother Cecil. Beulah, a projects engineer with Exxon Mobil, understands that her brother is a leapling. But Cecil, currently studying at the University of PNG, would tease him with other children in the village.
Alex, until his dad explained it to him, did not understand why he was not able to celebrate his birthday every year such as any other child. He asked himself why he had to be different.
He misses out for three years then celebrates on the fourth. To make up for that, his parents always make sure to throw a big birthday bash for him. There will mumu-baked food and a birthday cake – a big deal back then.
With that kind of support, Alex made sure to excel in his studies. He completed Grade Eight at the Wamapisa Primary School in 2006. He then attended Wabag Secondary School where he completed Year 12.
He was then selected to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Technology. He graduated with a bachelor degree in 2017.
When it is not a leap year, Alex does not bother celebrating his birthday. But his friends and family usually put up something for him on Feb 28.
“(Feb 28) is not my birthday. It is just another ordinary day. I know it and so do they (family and friends). I don’t pretend or even try to celebrate.”
“I just patiently wait for the leap year to come.”
He is a Production Supervisor with Goodman Fielder International in Port Moresby.
He is looking forward to celebrating his 7th birthday tomorrow. Today, he is proud to tell everyone his age and no longer minds when people laugh or give him questioning looks.
His advice to fellow leaplings is: “God’s timing for us to be born on this earth is special. Be strong and be patient. We are special, born on a special day. Leap year kids always have the strongest attitude. Own it.”