Kris Relatado writes 30

CEBU, Philippines - Veteran media personality and The FREEMAN/Banat News entertainment columnist Lucrecio Relatado, who was fondly called “Manay Kris” to his friends, died from cancer of the tongue yesterday morning. He was 78.

Relatado died in his house at 10 a.m. after he allegedly refused to be taken to the hospital. He even signed a waiver to be released from the hospital when his physician told him to undergo treatment after his tongue and throat inflamed few days before his death. 

“Di na siya pa-admit. Katong makasulti pa siya, moingon man pirmi kapoy na kuno siya, ganahan na siya mopahuway. So daan na nga ready na siya,” said Relatado’s niece, Rowena Ontina.

Relatado was diagnosed with tongue cancer just last May. Ontina said last November he was complaining of toothache so he had the problem tooth extracted, but the pain did not stop there.

Later on, they noticed a lump in his neck so they had it checked by a doctor. It was then that they found out that he had already a stage 4 tongue cancer.

“Di ko kalimot sa iyang pain. Pero mas ganahan ko maka-remember sa iyang happy days. He was full of jokes,” Ontina said.

Relatado started his career as a radio personality when he was in his 20s. His portrayal as “Kapitan Eguel” in a hit TV sitcom “Si Goot Da Wanderpol” won the hearts of the many viewers across the Visayas and Mindanao.

Relatado was also a mainstay of “Tres Metros,” another sitcom aired on CCTN Channel 47.

Relatado’s remains now lie in a Catholic chapel right next to his house along N. Bacalso Avenue, Barangay Sambag I. Ontina said the family has yet to decide on the date of his burial.

He was survived by his youngest brother Jesus and his nieces and nephews from his six siblings. —/FPL (FREEMAN)