While everybody was trooping to Mactan, Cebu for the Cobra 70.3 Ironman, I was heading to Manila with a heavy heart. I was bringing my son Patrick who is scheduled for heart by-pass operation tomorrow at the Philippine General Chinese Hospital. Patrick who is in his late thirties, has several clogged arteries that must be operated at the earliest possible time. Despite this predicament, we are still thankful God provided him with some hope as it was discovered that almost all of his arteries are barely working. It was also a blessing that we have good people like Dr. Rosan Trani, an ultramarathoner on the sporting side, who insisted for an angiogram. After performing several tests including 2 D echo, ECG and a stress test, Dr. Rosan ordered for an angiogram where the clogs were detected. So from the proposed angioplasty, we were talking about an open heart surgery. Again, God is good, he led my brother Dr. Emilo Uytiepo, a doctor based in New York City to contact his bosom friend Sheila who is married to Dr. Tim Dy, president of the Chinese General Hospital who will perform the operation. So the team was formed with Dr. Nelson Lee, head Surgery Department, to do the opening. Wow, I was teary-eyed with all the support I was getting. Of course my siblings were the first to respond. Even my nurse sister Chiquit from IloIlo is flying here. A lot of text messages clogged my mobile phone, saying they are praying for my son. My in-laws from Houston Texas also called an offered assistance. Yes, we will be needing a lot of prayers. A million thanks to all of you. Some people asked me how much it’s going to cost. Well, when you’re saving a life you are even willing to give your own.
Elvis serenades the grandparents
It’s all systems go for “The Elvis and Company Serenades the Grandparents Show” on September 8 at the SM City Consolacion Activity Center. As we announced in previous columns, we will be doing a variety show that will be heralded and hosted by TV broadcaster Sam Costanilla who will perform a stand up-comedy with Max Andrino. Also in the show are Ate Ging Montesclaros, Sam’s co-host in Sam Enchanted Evening, a musical TV show on CCTN, comedian Chocolate who will also do some magic and singer Boyet Lim. The second part of the show will be Elvis singing his hits including “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Hound Dog”, “Don’t Be Cruel”, It’s Now or Never”, and a lot more. So remember the date okay?
Seniors walk
Before the concert in the afternoon, a Senior citizen walk will be held in the morning at 6:30 and will just be staged around the perimeter of the Mall and is open only to participants 60 and above. The top three finishers in the male and female divisions will receive prizes from SM management. Wait for further announcements.