We lost a voice

This week started with the sports radio broadcasting community losing one of its most potent voices. Peter Paul Patrick Lucas quickly, tragically, unnecessarily passed away due to infections that were acquired from undetermined sources. Peter had just undergone the heart-wrenching loss of his wife, Gladys, whom he called his rock. Gladys was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2015 which Peter attributed to extreme stress at work. In 2020, the cancer had spread to her lungs. This started a torturous downward spiral which devastated the family physically, financially and emotionally. Gladys suffered blurred vision, headaches and diminished motor functions. Three weeks ago, she died.

Peter and I had been friends for more than 30 years. He was a relentless hard worker, an old-school beat-pounder who dug for stories like a 1950’s gumshoe. In an industry where exclusives are a hard-earned premium, Peter selflessly shared stories with friends in print and on television. He broke many stories from sources he constantly kept tabs on, cultivating contacts that others did not think of. He interviewed even the most disliked sports officials to get to the bottom of issues other journalists were squeamish about. Though this alienated him from some of his peers, many of us listened to him for unique stories we couldn’t get anywhere else.

Peter tirelessly fought for athletes’ rights, even getting into disagreements with some national sports association heads. In one instances, standing his ground led to an NSA official’s removal. Despite everything his family was going through, he still did his best to keep working for RadyoPilipinas2 (formerly SportsRadio). A devout music lover, Peter even launched a new Sunday program two months ago, where he strummed and sang his favorite Beatles songs. It relieved him of a bit of the strain, albeit temporarily.

Even as his wife lay dying, Peter suddenly took a turn for the worse. He had had eye surgery for glaucoma three decades ago. On July 31, three days before Gladys passed away, the open canal to Peter’s right eye from that operation was infected with bleb-related endophthalmitis. An emergency procedure kept the infection from spreading to his brain.

“I had surgery procedure done yesterday and I completely lost my eyesight in my right eye,” he said to this writer then. “I just hope Gladys doesn’t go while I’m still confined. I have to finish five days of antibiotics through IV. Please pray for us. Our situation has gone from bad to worse. I can’t really understand this anymore.”

Peter’s oxygen levels dropped dramatically, and he was on antibiotics when Gladys passed away. Peter became increasingly dependent on oxygen, and had three tubes in his arm. He sent this writer photos of himself, frowning and making a thumbs-down sign as he sucked air through a tube. He then acquired acute interstitial pneumonia, with a suspected pulmonary embolism, and needed a dangerous procedure.

“I was also told to prepare myself, as they could not tell – because of the current condition of his heart (which was perfectly strong and healthy just hours ago) – if it will just suddenly stop, because it is making such an effort,” posted Peter’s daughter Jill Lana Lucas on her social media account, which was updated on Aug. 20. Peter did not survive the surgery.

Peter Paul Lucas was a link to the past, a font of sports history with a generous spirit. Tough and crusty on the outside, he always listened with a sympathetic heart. This writer will miss our chats and phone conversations. He was a friend and fellow warrior, which are so hard to come by these days.