CEBU, Philippines - Estelita “Titang†Diola, the oldest Sinulog dancer and keeper of the original Sinulog drumbeat, was discharged yesterday from the Cebu City Medical Center after 17 days of confinement.
She was provided with a wheelchair by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. to aid her if she wants to attend Sinulog while her hospital bills which reached P22,620 was shouldered by the Cebu City Government.
Just as she was about to leave the hospital with niece Carolina Diola, Mayor Michael Rama arrived and chatted with her for a while. The mayor also handed them some cash assistance for transportation.
Diola lives in Mabolo this city. Earlier, the city government already committed to help in her medicines.
“Nang Titangâ€, as she is known to many, suffered from cellulitis, an inflammation or swelling of the skin and tissues, said CCMC Chief of Hospital Dr. Gloria Duterte.
When Nang Titang was brought to the CCMC last December 31, she complained of the swelling in her right leg and the occasional pain from a fracture she got two years ago.
Duterte said she was advised for admission because they had to stop the swelling which was getting serious at the time as a complication of her diabetes mellitus type 2.
As of yesterday, she was already given clearance by her attending physician to be discharged.
Though she still looks frail, her niece Carolina said she still wished to join Sinulog religious activities as a tribute to the Sto. Niño.
Nang Titang is already 87 years old. Carolina said they knew nothing of her illness aside from the fracture she got two years ago.
Carolina said her aunt remained the only person who can perfectly play the Sinulog beat in the drum she has kept for years, which earned her the title “the heritage keeper.†— (FREEMAN)