Eddie Garcia still in ICU; heart attack ruled out

MANILA, Philippines — Contrary to initial reports, Eddie Garcia did not suffer a heart attack on the set of a GMA television series on Vitas street, Moriones in Tondo, Manila on Saturday.  

According to a report quoting Dr. Enrique Lagman, uncle of Garcia’s long-time partner Lilibeth Romero, the first thing he checked when Garcia was transferred to Makati Medical Center from Mary Johnston Hospital early yesterday morning was if Garcia suffered a heart attack or aneurysm.

“He did not,” said Lagman, contrary to a purported “official family statement” released to media by GMA Network.  

Based on an official medical bulletin, Lagman said the doctors ruled out heart attack and stroke prognosis made at around 2 p.m. after those were disproved by validating tests done at the Mary Johnston Hospital later in the evening.

The actor remains in critical condition due to severe cervical fracture.

The family requests for prayers and asks for privacy.

As of press time yesterday, Makati Med put Garcia on a 48-hour “critical observation” to see if his condition improves, adding that CT scan has shown that Garcia’s brain is “normal.”

Romero was quoted as saying that Garcia, who turned 90 last month, was in “deep sleep” at the intensive care unit sustained by life-support machines. 

Corroborating video clips that circulated on social media, actor Jestoni Alarcon, Garcia’s co-star in the forthcoming GMA series “Rosang Agimat,” said he was with Garcia in the scene being shot when an accident happened.  

“Tito Eddie tripped on cables and stumbled,” Alarcon posted on his Instagram account.

“His head hit the pavement and he was rushed bleeding to the (nearby Mary Johnston) hospital.”

Alarcon wrongly suspected that Garcia suffered a heart attack.

Romero said her family did not issue a statement because they first wanted to find out what really happened.

GMA executive Redgie Magno said the network’s statement was based on what Garcia’s stepson, Nick, had told them after he talked to the Mary Johnston doctors.  

There was no medic or first aid equipment on the set. Garcia had to be brought to the hospital by tricycle or taxi, about 30 minutes from the set.

Reelected Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez described the accident as “a wakeup call” for networks and movie companies to make sure that a medical team must be assigned to the set for the safety of artists and other workers.

Last year, Christopher de Leon was hit by a “fake” bullet near his crotch while shooting a GMA soap from a gun fired by co-star Marvin Agustin. 

In an official statement yesterday, GMA management said they have reviewed the video clips and those from the company cameras on the set before “we make conclusions” as they continue to pray for Garcia’s quick recovery.

Ako Bicol party-list also offered prayers for Garcia’s recovery.

“The group along with its volunteers and Bicolano supporters continues to pray for the speedy recovery of Eddie Garcia. He was instrumental in the victory of the party-list in the last elections,” Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said. 

Garcia endorsed Ako Bicol in the midterm polls. – With Delon Porcalla