Eddie Mercado: God works in mysterious ways

Miracles do happen. God works in mysterious ways. An inspiring example is the strength Eddie Mercado and his family have displayed these past months.

Last May 6, Eddie Mercado, 65, was rushed to the Asian Hospital in Alabang. He suffered from a massive stroke which resulted in a series of operations, including a crucial one to remove a clot in Eddie’s nape; a craniectomy, where a portion of his skull was taken out to prevent swelling of the left side of his brain, and another that returned the portion of Eddie’s skull that was taken out.

Eddie, a host, actor, singer, and director respected here and abroad had a slim chance of survival, let alone full recovery. When all hope seemed lost, his family, led by Marivic and children Cee Jay, 21, Chevy, 19, and Eric, 15, decided that the most logical option was to rely on doctors, and most importantly on God.

But time and money – considering the soaring medical expenses – were running out. Marivic had to do something. She appealed for assistance and got it. Moments before Gary Valenciano addressed three million Filipinos in the recent 2004 elections, Marivic texted Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano to inform her about Eddie’s condition. Gary, upon hearing the terrible news, led the people in solemn prayer for Eddie‘s recovery.

The miracle had only begun. Richard Merk organized a fund-raiser in Eddie’s behalf. Some of the country’s finest performers gathered at Merk’s Bistro in Makati. They raised P182,000 which they donated for Eddie’s medical bills.

Eddie was discharged from the hospital last June. Everyone hoped that would conclude the sad chapter in Eddie’s life. But even bigger problems were to come.

Three weeks after Eddie was discharged from the hospital, his doctors prescribed Diovan, a drug that regulates blood pressure. The drug store the family went to mistakenly gave a different pill from the one prescribed. Instead of Diovan, Dionorm, a drug for diabetes, was given. Furthermore the attendant at the drugstore carelessly wrote Dionorm instead of Diovan on the medicine box that was supposed to contain the right medicine.

Eddie took the wrong medicine for six straight days. The result was disastrous. Eddie suffered from recurrent diarrhea and would alternate between consciousness and unconsciousness.

Marivic’s instincts told her something was terribly wrong. Eddie was rushed to the hospital again last July 19. That was another life-altering moment for the Mercados.

Eddie was classified medically as belonging to the code blue emergency level. The entire staff of the emergency unit of Asian Hospital was on call lest Eddie slip into coma. On July 24, doctors informed the family that Eddie could go home. But there was a huge price he and his family had to pay.

Because of the wrong medicine he took, the once highly-articulate Eddie became incapable of speech. He lost a lot of weight and needed to undergo a series of occupational and physical therapies, aside from having to take regular medications.

As Eddie’s condition worsened, expenses soared. Eddie was again discharged from the hospital under a promissory agreement that the Mercados would pay the hospital and doctors’ bills within a month. But the one-month agreement has elapsed. Hence Marivic and her children are asking for assistance again.

"At first, I thought it was a long shot since a lot of our friends in the industry already helped us last May. But I just held on to my faith and hoped for some miracle," explains Marivic.

Slowly, the miracle did happen. Hard Rock Café heard about Eddie’s condition and immediately offered to organize another fund-raiser. It has offered its venue free of charge for Eddie. Multi media theater company Trumpets, where Eddie used to be a lecturer on public speaking for the longest time, offered to help mount the show, aptly entitled A Toast to the Master: Eddie Mercado.

Marivic sent out text messages for help and the following artists agreed to perform for Eddie: Jaya, Pilita Corrales, Ayen Munji-Laurel, Isay Alvarez, Boots Anson-Roa, Lana Jalosjos, Dulce, Bituin Escalante, Champagne Morales, Jose Mari Chan, Rico J. Puno, Franco Laurel, Robert Seña, Richard Merk, Mon David, Lito Gorospe, Pepe Pimentel, Ed Picson, John Lesaca, Willie Nepomuceno, Renz Verano, Cito Beltran, Emy Munji, and Romy Posadas, among others.

"It’s really overwhelming. I don’t know what to say but thank you to all who are graciously helping us," says Marivic.

Eddie himself, who is now in a wheelchair, promises to be present at the event tonight at 9, at the Hard Rock Café.

I have perpetually dreamed of witnessing a miracle unfold before my eyes. I will get my chance tonight. We will all get our chance. And Eddie, the master will get a second chance! There seems to be no logical reason behind this but isn’t this what faith is all about?

(A Toast to the Master: Eddie Mercado is supported by Red Bull, Fortune Tobacco, San Miguel Beer, Chivas Regal, Lipton Ice Tea, Sharp, and Bioessence. For inquiries, call HRC at 893-4661 to 64.)