Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has surrendered his fate to the Santo Niño as he left for New York, USA yesterday to seek a second opinion about a tumor, which is suspected to be cancerous, found on his urinary bladder.
“Let Sto. Niño decide what’s going to happen to me. If he thinks that I’m still needed, then He will let me stick around. But if He thinks I’m no longer needed, that is His decision,” the mayor told the media at the Mactan Cebu International Airport shortly before his departure.
The mayor was accompanied by his wife, Margot as they boarded the 12:05 p.m. flight Cathay Pacific that would take them to New York via Hong Kong.
The couple was sent-off by several department heads, city officials including acting Mayor Michael Rama, and friends.
“We are strengthened by everybody. I hope the Cebuanos will continue to pray for Tommy. I admire my husband more now that he sick. He is strong and fearless,” the teary-eyed first lady said.
The mayor has filed a one-month leave although he does not know yet when he is coming back contending it is up to the doctors.
Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem, one of those who sent-off the mayor, said that he invited Osmeña to watch the fight of Filipino boxer Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista on November 22 in the USA, but the mayor replied to him, “No. I will be back by then”.
The first couple had three huge suitcases and two smaller bags.
Osmeña kept himself busy while waiting for his flight as he signed papers and talked with city officials and well wishers.
There was also an outpouring of support and emotion from other passengers, who were not friends of the Osmeñas, but offered hugs and get well wishes.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has also sent a letter of encouragement and support to the mayor.
“I received a nice letter from the Cardinal. He prayed for me,” the mayor humbly said.— Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)