Olympic boxer kayoed by lung disease, needs help

Leopoldo Serrantes, the 1998 Seoul Olympics boxing bronze medalist, is in need of help.

Serrantes, an Armyman master sergeant, has been confined at the V. Luna Hospital in Quezon City for four months now due to lung infection, an ailment that has nearly incapacitated the former sports icon.

"I hope somebody out there with a good heart would help me," said the 43-year-old La Paz, Iloilo native in Filipino.

Capt. Noel Gaurino, head officer of the pulmonary ward of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-run medical facility, said Serrantes has been undergoing a series of tests to prevent the infection from spreading to both of his lungs.

"Although he’s in stable condition now, there is a chance the infection might spread so we need to put him (Serrantes) to more tests," said Gaurino.

Vice President Noli de Castro and Quezon City councilor Ariel Inton to name a few, and boxing officials Mel and Manny Lopez have provided assistance to Serrantes.

"I’m really thankful that they’ve visited me and gave me assistance. In fact, I used the money to pay my rent, which was four months overdue," said Serrantes, who lives in Cavite along with wife Divina and all his seven children.

Top sports officials, who have pampered, awarded and lauded the national squad that won the overall title in December’s Southeast Asian Games, however, refused to notice Serrantes despite his plea.

"They know I’m here," said Serrantes, who said a wheelchair and an oxygen tank would be a big help.

"He couldn’t walk that far without coughing and gasping for breath, a wheelchair and an oxygen tank would surely be a big help to him," said Gaurino. — Joey Villar and Perseus Echeminada