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Down payment na 'di nagamit ni Francis M sa operasyon, ibinigay sa batang may cancer

Author: Nel Alejandrino
Column: Tattle

UNTIL napanood ko ang concert, Mio Fights Cancer, a fundraising event for Jose Emilio Mendiola (nicknamed Mio), five years old and suffering from cancer, diagnosed as Acute Lymohocytic Leukemia (ALL), held last Friday sa Music Museum, 'di ko alam na kumakanta pala si Jake Cuenca.

Well, how Jake fared as concert performer is another matter. But suffice to say that the audience which, in fairness, filled up the venue (and they were paying audience, ha) clapped him up. Especially when he acceded to the request of some of them to descend from the stage and allowed himself to be kissed by whoever. And age didn't matter, ha. Mga bata at matatanda ang humalik at nagpahalik sa kanya. And guess what? We didn't hear anyone naman complained na something was wrong with how he smelled.

For until now, poor Jake, naka-stuck pa sa mind ng ilan ang sinabi ng isang young starlet na may bad breathe siya.

In any case, Jake did something very touching before he finally left the stage. Hinubad niya ang kanyang leather jacket, na alam mong imported at nilapitan niya ang batang si Mio, who was in the audience with his mom Jasmine Mendiola, at ibinalabal niya ito sa bata. Sabay sabing: "Sana paglaki mo, maisusuot mo pa rin iyan. "

The surprise of the evening was the unexpected performance ni Cocoy Laurel, once upon a time a broadway actor, as he played one of the major role in Miss Saigon, when it was staged for a few years sa West End Theater in London.

Cocoy, whose real name is Victor, was once upon a time superstar Nora Aunor's other favorite leading man, aside from Tirso Cruz III.

His rendition of You Make Me Feel So Young ay sinalubong ng masigabong palakpakan ng mga manonood, some of whom, I know, ay 'di na napanood si Cocoy on the big screen, since matagal na nga siyang nag-retire.

Cocoy is the uncle of Denise Laurel, a promising showbiz talent herself, who, together with Maja Salvador did a dance number, helped in putting up the benefit concert.

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Quite a number of the performers were volunteers. They were not in the original guest list but was immediately and graciously accommodated, as the fundraisers said, thy really need everybody's help.

One of them was Isabella Gonzales, daughter ni Kuh Ledesma. Nagsusulat din pala siya ng mga awitin. And one of the songs she rendered was her own composition.

The song was written for a cousin, who, like Mio, also suffered from cancer at 10 years old.

"Kaya, I have a soft spot for cancer victims," ani Isabella. "Kaya, nang mabasa ko ang tungkol sa concert na ito, I really went out of my way para makapag-perform din for Mio.

The Magalona's siblings, Maxene, Saab and Elmo, were also volunteers, they did a number together.

Before they left the stage, Maxene announced that they made a downpayment at the Makati Medical Center for her father's operation sana.

As is common knowledge, Francis was supposed to undergo a bone marrow transplant. Kaso nga, binawian ito ng buhay at 'di na naoperahan. Well, ayon kay Maxene, they were not able to retrieve the down payment. So, their mom, Pia Magalona, is donating the amount for Mio.

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ALL, in laymen's language, is a disease where a patient afflicted with it has his bone marrow producing too many abnormal white blood cells, thus, reversing his immune system, making him prone to bleeding and infection.

At five years old, malaki ang pag-asa ni Mio na gumaling in five years time. Iyon nga lamang daw, madugo ang gastos, para masiguro ang kanyang complete recovery.

Well, dear Tonight readers, let's also pray for Mio's complete recovery.

Source: People's Tonight