One legged triathlete – part 2

Two months after his successful  surgical procedure to insert a steel brace on his fractured wrists, Rudy  Fernandez  was  back  on the road again.  Rudy was now starting  to train for the  “ Hero for  Heroes”  project,  a 250-kilometer fund- raising cycling from Camp  Delgado in Iloilo City to Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz. The project was conceptualized by the  Iloilo Press Club (Defense Press Corp) in coordination with the Third (3rd) Infantry  Division in Camp Peralta under Major General Julius Javier and the Iloilo Police Office. The concept of the lung-busting cycling campaign is to raise funds for wounded soldiers and the families  of casualties of war  in Mindanao.  On  September 2, 2000, after  send-off  ceremonies at Camp  Delgado in Iloilo City, our odyssey began. Several media outfits including ABS-CBN, GMA and Bombo Radyo followed behind Rudy. People who lined the route, gave whatever amount to the reporters who carried boxes. Mayors of the towns we passed, gave bigger amounts. We   targeted a  5PM arrival, however, the stop-overs we made to accommodate people who wanted to shake Rudy’s hands delayed our trek. We reached Capiz at 7pm and as we entered the gates of the camp, we were welcomed by two  brass  bands and soldiers in motorcycles who led us to the parade grounds where hundreds of armymen waited us at the grandstand.  After being  welcomed by General Julius Javier and after his short talk, we proceeded to the gym for the traditional “boodle-fight”.

After dinner, General Javier requested us to stay put as there will be a party celebration. At this point, General Javier  went to the stage where two army bands were positioned and spoke loudly on the microphone…”Ladies and gentlemen, we have a guest performer, the Elvis of the Visayas!”  Having travelled for almost 13 hours, I wanted to beg off, but the general said, “ Raffy, that’s an order!” So, I obliged with “ Rock Around the Clock” and several Elvis’ rock and roll numbers as the gym turned into a dancing hall. Soon, we were off to the guest house for the much needed rest. The following morning, after a sumptuous breakfast at the officers’ hall, we were ready for the trip back to Iloilo. Before departure, the Press Corp. handed the donation that was close to P200,000 (mostly in coins), to General Javier who couldn’t hide his joy.

Pinoy Big Brother

In 2005, Rudy was selected by ABS-CBN  to join the Pinoy  Big Brother Celebrity Edition.  Rudy’s housemates  included  Rustom Padilla (now known as BB Gandanghari), Roxanne Barcelo, John Prats, Christian Vasquez,  Zanjoe  Marudo, Bianca Gonzales, and Cebuanos Angela Calina, Budoy and Keanna Reeves who eventually won. Rudy was the oldest member and was called “ The Ironman of Asia”.  I visited Rudy twice in “ Bahay ni Kuya” and also picked him up when he was ejected. Angela Calina was the first  PBB contestant to go.  Up to this day, Rudy treasures his stint in the reality show.

Hasta la vista Oca

It struck me like a lightning bolt when Ramon “RJ” Jacinto announced that  legendary singer Trini  Lopez  (remember his songs “Lemon Tree”,  “This Land Is Your Land”, and “Perfidia”  to mention a few), who died  last  Tuesday from COVID-19 at  83.  But it was a stronger bolt  when I was informed that my good friend and former business partner Oscar  dela  Calzada  died also of COVID-19. His wife Brenda, also got the virus and in fact both of them were hospitalized at the same time. Brenda recovered but  Oca  was unlucky. Oca and I became partners  in the crude oil business after I resigned from Getty Oil Company in 1974. We supplied the different shipping and trucking companies. Oca then gradually ventured into the food business supplying “ube” to San Miguel Corp. and  later on went  to the  business of tent and chair rentals.  He founded Cocina Calza, a food catering business. On the other hand, I moved to Manila to assist our family business, Casa Ilongga, the biggest Ilonggo food chain in the country. As always, I will not say goodbye … but “Hasta La Vista, Oca! I will miss you my partner,  Rest in Peace..”