Ralphe Fernandez opens up about his late father and their relationship
Rudy Fernandez’s decision to go home instead of staying in the hospital did alleviate his sinking mood-at least for a moment.
“‘Yong coming home was actually a good thing for him parang na-lift ‘yong spirits niya dahil that’s why he wanted to leave sa ospital kasi, ‘di ba mahirap? Siyempre ‘yong environment sa ospital iba sa bahay. So, ‘yong sa bahay mas okey sa kanya ‘yong time na nakauwi siya,” rationalized Rudy and wife Lorna Tolentino’s son, Ralphe.
PEP along with some members of the press had the chance to talk with Ralphe on the first day of Daboy’s wake yesterday at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.
Daboy (Rudy’s nickname) succumbed yesterday, June 7, to periampullary cancer after a long and hard-fought battle that started two years ago before his 54th birthday.
Before his condition completely deteriorated, Rudy, along with Lorna, went to the States last March for a short vacation and also to try an alternative treatment for cancer. The couple however immediately came back after they were reportedly informed by the doctors that there’s nothing more they could do to prolong Rudy’s life.
The couple was fetched by an ambulance upon their arrival here in Manila, taking Rudy to the Cardinal Santos Hospital in Greenhills, San Juan, where he was confined until June 1. It was Rudy who asked to be brought home. According to entertainment columnist and good friend Ricky Lo, Daboy also requested not to be put in a respirator once his vital organs ceased functioning.
Rudy’s spirit, as shared by Ralphe, buoyed up. But it never lasted for long.
Recalling his father’s remaining days, Ralphe sadly shared, “For the past few days the conversations were very minimal… hindi siya masyadong wordy. Kumbaga ano na lang, ‘yong galaw ng mukha, kindat, ‘yong mga kaya niya na lang gawin na actions kasi nga nanghihina na siya.”
Despite the fact that Rudy kept his sense of humor intact, those people close to him did noticed a sudden shift with the way Rudy would talk and impart important life lessons especially to his sons.
“Parang ever since nung nagkaroon na siya ng cancer, yong conversations namin parang may ibang lalim na ‘yong mga sinasabi niya, mabigat na parang advise na, ‘Tandaan ninyo na ‘tong sinasabi ko.’ Pero bago pa ‘to mag-worse yong condition niya,” confessed Ralphe.
Rudy’s wishes include, “My dad wanted us to wear white,” he mentioned. “Sa pagpunta ng mga tao, kumbaga lahat ng nagmamahal sa kanya na gusto makita siya kumbaga puwede silang pumunta.”
As a father and as a person, Ralphe, holding back his tears, described the late action hero as, “It’s beyond description,” he said with a deep sigh, “He’s a great person. Good person talaga. Very trustworthy na talagang pagkakatiwalaan.”
Source: PEP
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