CEBU, Philippines - In another act of kindness worth emulating for, the University of the Visayas administration and alumni federation handed over P110, 000 in financial assistance to stricken Cebuano fighter and UV alumna Z “The Dream” Gorres.
Joselito “Jiji” F. Gullas and his cousin Gerald Anthony “Didi” Gullas, both UV assistant vice president for finance and administration, gladly welcomed the wheelchair-bound Gorres, his wife Datches and eldest son Dheybert yesterday morning at the UV administration office.
“We, the administration and the alumni, worked together to have this money because this is our way to help Gorres and his family,” said Jiji Gullas.
Aside from the financial support, the UV administration has also given a scholarship to one of Gorres’ four kids in the secondary and tertiary education.
“The university has extended the education assistance to one of his (Gorres) children. We would make it one at a time since he has four kids. But we’re hoping that in the future we could support them all,” Gullas said.
“It would be her (Datches) option on what year level, either elementary, high school or college, will she avail the scholarship. We all leave the decisions up to her and Z. We will just support them all the way,” Gullas added.
Z and Datches have four children – Dheybert (7), Sheiladhey (5), Zhey (3) and Khodey, five months old.
The 27-year-old Gorres is currently undergoing a comprehensive rehabilitation after a miraculous recovery from a critical brain injury in a fight that almost cost him his dear life.
After being declared the winner by unanimous decision over Luis Melendez of Colombia on November 13 last year at the Mandalay House of Blues in Las Vegas , Gorres collapsed and went into medically-induced coma. He then underwent a life-threatening surgery at the University Medical Center to remove a blood clot on the left side of his brain.
A few days after the operation, Gorres rapidly manifested positive signs of recovery, to the amazement of his doctors led by Dr. Ben Calderon who later nicknamed him the “Miracle Kid.” Since then, Gorres became an iconic figure of true courage, immeasurable fighting spirit and strong faith in God.
He may no longer be able to fight but Gorres has truly left a shining legacy in the world of boxing, most especially to his fellow fighters, because his inspiring story encouraged Frank Slaughter, a boxing coach at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and a group of law students in UNLV to push for a state bill that would protect all fighters.
To be known as the “Z Gorres bill”, it would give additional protection for underinsured fighters in case of injury.
Tonight, Gorres will once again catch the spotlight as he will receive the “Presidential Award” during the 28th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Corporation (SAC-SMC) All-Cebu Sports Awards at the Casino Español de Cebu. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil (THE FREEMAN)