Truth behind Big J’s health

Rumors are circulating about PBA “Living Legend” former Sen. Robert Jaworski’s health and we hope this will set the record straight on his condition. Tomorrow, the Big J will be honored in the unveiling of nine designs of postage stamps with his image at the Manila Central Post Office, Liwasang Bonifacio. He’ll be represented by his son Dodot who’s receiving a framed display of the stamps from Philippine Postal Corp. CEO and Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio in the family’s behalf. Dodot’s wife Mikee Cojuangco would’ve attended but she left for Greece yesterday for an IOC event. Mikee is a member of the IOC Executive Board and the IOC commissions on the Olympic Channel, Communications, Olympic Education, Coordination for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Coordination for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Dodot, a former PBA player himself and candidate for Vice Mayor of Pasig in the coming elections, said his father’s overall physical health is “alright although not stellar” but assured fans that he has no cancer, no leukemia and “his heart is great.” However, the Big J suffers from a blood disorder that is causing a “very slow and delayed recovery.” Surely, the good news is he’s not afflicted with any form of cancer and the blood disorder is non-life threatening.

Dodot said the family has consulted doctors here and abroad to figure out the proper treatment for the blood disorder but so far, nothing conclusive has been determined. “He has excessively elevated ferritin (a protein that contains iron) levels but is still anemic,” continued Dodot. “He still doesn’t have his old strength back. So we’re hoping and praying that he recovers soon.” Dodot said praise God, his heart is strong. In a statement released by the family, it was mentioned that he “has experienced difficulty in regaining his strength, weight and normal well-being ... despite this, he is making good progress and is slowly moving forward.”

When Jaworski’s father-in-law Ramon Revilla passed in June last year, he had a “bad bout” with pneumonia and was hospitalized but tested negative for COVID-19. “His health started to decline and didn’t improve much,” continued Dodot. “Sometime in March or April of this year, he tested positive but didn’t need hospitalization. He hasn’t regained his normal strength.” But Jaworski’s fighting spirit remains powerful and no doubt, he will recover.

The tribute that PhilPost has laid out is timely because Jaworski turned 75 this year and the stamps are to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first Philippine stamp issued as a republic in 1946. Jaworski is the first of 10 Filipino heroes to be honored in a postage stamp series. PhilPost is keeping the names of the nine other legends under wraps but they will be in other fields like theater, technology, fashion and the arts.

“It’s such a great honor that they’ve given my Dad, to immortalize his life’s passion and accomplishments in the world of sports by issuing these special series of collectible stamps,” said Dodot. “Our heartfelt gratitude to the people in PhilPost headed by Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio. My father is humbled by this great honor and our family is greatly elated that such an amazing tribute has been granted to him.”