Cancer strikes Davao pug - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

Teenaged junior lightweight fighter Gregie Simbajon had visions of becoming another Manny Pacquiao. His dream was to box his way to fame and fortune.

Today, he writhes in pain, stricken by bone cancer, unsure of what lies ahead. He no longer dreams of following in Pacquiao’s footsteps. All he’s praying for is to survive the biggest fight of his life.

Simbajon, 19, is confined at St. Luke’s Hospital. Doctors say Simbajon’s tumor near his pelvic bone is too big to remove in an operation. So he’s undergoing radiation treatment to reduce the size of the tumor.

Simbajon’s manager Marty Elorde is taking care of his medical expenses but only up to a limit. Elorde can’t pay for all the bills — his pockets aren’t that deep. So far, Simbajon has been confined nearly a month at the Philippine General Hospital, the Parañaque Medical Center, and St. Luke’s.

Dr. Cipriano de los Reyes of Parañaque moved Simbajon to St. Luke’s for his chemotherapy. Dr. de los Reyes suggested a solo room for Simbajon because the chemotherapy will lower his resistance to illness. So Elorde is paying P2,200 a day for Simbajon’s stay in Room 1003 — it’s the only solo room available.

Elorde, 37, isn’t a rich man. His boxing stable lists 14 fighters, including Allan Visayas and Rocky Palma. He says he’s planning to sell the property that he inherited from his late father Gabriel (Flash) and mother Laura to pay for Simbajon’s bills.

Simbajon is from Compostela, Davao del Norte, and the oldest of four children. His father Avelino, born in Bohol, prints pictures for a living. His mother Vitaliana is a housewife. The family lives in a modest bungalow and owns a two-hectare property, planted to banana, leased to Dole. Fighters Flash and Jun Simbajon are cousins.

A high school graduate, Simbajon says he tried his luck in boxing to make something out of his life. "Mahirap lang kami," he adds. "Ang pangarap ko ay sumikat kagaya ni Pacquiao." He made his amateur debut at the age of 15 and compiled a 17-4 record before turning pro last April.

Simbajon arrived in Manila in February last year and hooked up with Elorde. In his first pro fight, he knocked out Jovy Gato in a single round. Then, he stopped Exequiel Gato, also in the first round. But last September, Simbajon was decked twice by Fel Oydoc and lost a unanimous six-round decision.

After the loss, Simbajon felt numbness in his left leg and pain in his back. He went to a manghihilot but the pain relief was only temporary. Simbajon’s leg began to swell and he felt like a needle was stuck in a vein near his hip. Despite the discomfort, Simbajon was determined to return to the ring — he resumed jogging and even sparred late last October. When the pain wouldn’t go away, Elorde took Simbajon to a chiropractor. Still, the pain persisted. Finally, Elorde brought Simbajon to Dr. de los Reyes who recommended an MRI. The finding was startling. Simbajon had a tumor near his pelvic bone. The initial diagnosis was terminal cancer.

A devout Catholic, Simbajon is praying for a miracle. A week ago, he went to a Tagaytay retreat house where a nun prayed over him in a healing session. Simbajon, who can now hardly walk, says he’ll find the strength to visit the nun again this weekend.

In his hospital bed, Simbajon faces an uncertain future.

"Malaki ang pag-asa ko na mabuhay," he says. "Bahala na ang Panginoon sa akin. Isinalalay ko na ang buhay ko sa Kanyang mga kamay."

If and when he beats the cancer, Simbajon says he’ll go home to Davao, take a long rest, then return to work for Elorde in Manila. "Ang utang ko kay Sir Marty ay ang aking buhay," he says. "Hanggang buhay ako, sisilbihan ko siya."

Elorde is calling on friends to help out Simbajon. Let’s be generous. Simbajon deserves a break. We can all chip in to give him a chance to live. Please contact Elorde at tel. 825-1554. Simbajon is in Room 1003 at St. Luke’s, tel. 723-0101.