Heart of gold

Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Rudy Salud celebrated his 68th birthday last Monday and it looks like he’s getting better by the day.

Salud recently underwent a seven-hour procedure to insert an electrical box–a sort of mini-circuit breaker–near his heart. The machine acts like a defibrillator (it’s not a pacemaker) and was imported from the US at a cost of about P2 Million.

There are no clogged arteries that lead to Salud’s heart but doctors felt it necessary to implant the machine to boost his cardiac pumping capacity. It’s supposed to take at least three months for Salud’s system to adjust to the machine and from early indications, he’s coming along just fine.

The flood of prayers, good wishes and words of encouragement from Salud’s family and countless friends must be working. Because Salud himself said he’s recovering fast as it appears his wife Pampin has a direct line to the Man upstairs.

In his Loyola Grand Villas home last Monday, Salud was overwhelmed by the show of concern, affection and care from those dear to him. Among his visitors were former Sen. Ramon Revilla, Korean boxing promoter Ku Sung Lee and ringside buddies Lito Mondejar, Moy Lainez and Gerry Garcia.

Greeting Salud on the phone were Henry Cojuangco, Rep. Baby Asistio, Mariles Romulo, San Miguel Corp. president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang, former PBA commissioner Leo Prieto, Makati Mayor Jojo Binay, Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado and Putch Puyat. He also received text messages from Lito Orillaza, former PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino, Sonny Barrios and Bobong Velez.

Salud was particularly elated by Ang’s phone call.

"Pareng Ramon inspired me with his fighting spirit," said Salud. "He’s a friend of long standing. Way before he became San Miguel’s chief operating officer, I asked him to be a sponsor with former President Ramos at my son Ato’s wedding. That’s how close we are."

A source said when Ang found out about Salud’s heart condition, he offered to fly him to San Francisco to consult noted heart specialist Dr. Alex Yap. Salud couldn’t thank Ang enough for his concern and assured him he was in good hands with cardiologist Dr. Carlos Esguerra and Dr. Giselle Banzon who performed his surgery in Medical City.

Salud said he was also happy to speak with Prieto on the phone.

"Mr. Prieto was my mentor," he said. "If ever I was successful as PBA commissioner, it was because I learned everything from Mr. Prieto."

Fr. Adolfo Dacanay of Ateneo celebrated the Holy Mass in Salud’s home last Monday evening not only for his birthday but also to thank the Lord for his recovery.

With Salud at the Mass were his brother Dr. Ben and wife Dr. Chit (singer Lea Salonga’s dermatologist) and sister Josephine Castillo and husband Jimmy. Salud’s other brother Tito passed away several years ago.

Salud’s daughter Priscilla, who lives in Los Angeles with husband Peter Villar (Sen. Kiko Pangilinan’s first cousin) and their two children, flew in for a week to be with her father on his birthday. Ato, who lives in Lausanne with wife Marixi and their two children (he’s a Philip Morris International executive), couldn’t fly in and greeted his father on the phone. Sons Chito and Dr. Arnold (an ophthalmologist) came with their wives (Gretchen and Ginge, respectively) and children. Salud’s other daughters Christine (married to businessman Pete Unlay), Dr. Margaret (a dentist married to Dr. Luigi Pastor) and Annabel Gatan completed the family.

In all, Salud has seven children and 18 grandchildren–the wealth he is blessed with.

It won’t be long now before Salud is back in circulation in the sports scene. The cockpit, the basketball stadium and the boxing arena just aren’t the same without Salud in the stands.

If he only could, Salud would probably drive to Urdaneta, Pangasinan, to watch the PBA out-of-town game between San Miguel Beer and Red Bull at 4:30 p.m. on March 25, a Saturday. That’s because his loyal long-time assistant George Alcantara is promoting the contest in the 4,000-seat Urdaneta Cultural Center with Mayor Amadito Perez endorsement.

More than a defibrillator, the things that make Salud’s heart tick are his generosity, his loyalty to friends, his passion for sports, his love for family and his devotion to the Lord. His is a heart of gold.