“It was worth the trip”

CEBU, Philippines — By his own account, renowned sports medicine doctor Rhoel Dejaño did the craziest thing he has even done in his life exactly a week ago.

While attending a very popular conference among sports medicine specialists all over the world in Madrid, Dejaño flew all the way from the Spanish capital to personally receive his “Sportsman of the Year” award during the 38th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Beer (SAC-SMB) Cebu Sports Awards last May 26 at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu.

Dejaño, who holds the distinction for being  the first ever Filipino doctor to have passed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Diploma Course in Sports Medicine, was feted for his little-known advocacy where he offers his services to injured Cebuano athletes for free, making sure that  they are nursed back to health with the proper rehabilitation and treatment.

In a lengthy post on his Facebook recently, the amiable Cebu City Sports Commissioner narrated that he only knew of the SAC recognition a few days before he had to leave for an out of the country trip.

“It was meant to be a surprise but because the organizers knew I was leaving,  my good friend and SAC President John Pages broke the news to me while we were in one of the games during the CVIRAA (Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association),” Dejaño shared. “And the schedule was right in the middle of my trip where I’ll be in Madrid , Spain. I was also told that I was to give an inspirational message during the affair. I was given the option of giving a pre-taped message or via zoom or have to be in Cebu on that day.”

After much thinking, rearranging schedules, and consulting with close friends, it was then that Dejaño decided to be physically present to receive the prestigious accolade.

“In my mind, you don’t get such recognition many times in your lifetime. A once in a lifetime event is something that I shouldn’t miss,” Dejaño said. “So I did probably the craziest thing I have ever done in my life. I traveled from Madrid to Cebu for the event, stayed less than 24 hours in Cebu arriving in the morning and flying back in the evening after the awarding to reunite with my mother and niece whom I left in Madrid.”

Dejaño, a longtime team doctor of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles and resident physician of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI), said the honor bestowed upon him is a testament to the endless hours of dedication, sacrifices made, and passion for his profession.

“Grateful for everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. This is for you!” said an extremely grateful Dejaño. “Thank you once again to the officers and members of the Sportswriters Association of Cebu for this recognition. “I hope to continue on with my advocacy of practicing my profession to provide medical care to our athletes to the best of my capacity and ability.”

“Thank you to all my mentors, colleagues, administrators, staff especially the sports Physical Therapists (PTs) of Cebu, coaches, athletes, and friends as you were always part of this journey. I could not have done it without you,” he continued. “Special thanks to my family who continuously support my endeavors especially my number one fan, my dearest Mama Fe Dejaño and my Papa who must be looking proud from up there.”

For Dejaño, traveling over a thousand miles back and forth within a day just to be with a once in a lifetime moment was all worth it.

“Will I ever do it again if I had to?... A resounding Yes! It was worth the trip!” Dejaño ended. — (FREEMAN)