Hang on, Rio, don’t ever give up!

That’s the message Funfare readers want to relay to Rio Diaz-Cojuangco who has been bravely battling the Big C for five years now, getting strength not only from the advanced medical facilities of the San Francisco hospital where she was recently confined – and, may I add, nearly died during a 10-day coma – but for her unwavering faith in God, plus the prayers of millions of sympatherizers out there.

Hang on, Rio, don’t ever give up!

That’s what they are all saying. Rio’s condition – and fighting spirit – have been inspiring not only people in a similar situation but even those who are hale and healthy, themselves feeling their own mortality everytime they read or hear developments in Rio’s continuing battle which, we hope and pray, she’ll win in the end, God willing.

"She’s amazing, exclaimed Girlie Rodis who met up with Rio in San Francisco last week. Girlie was with Rachel Alejandro, Rio’s singer-stepdaughter. "It was Rio herself who drove her car when she picked up Rachel at our hotel; it was their second outing. She was so full of energy that, if I didn’t know, I wouldn’t believe that, barely three months ago, she was comatose. She’s a walking miracle!"

Funfare would like to acknowledge readers from around the world who, reacting to last Monday’s (May 19) story on Rio, e-mailed encouraging words for Rio, including Irene Pineda, Gen Cayetano, Sister Divine, Buenafe Santos (Novaliches, Quezon City), Becky (VP for High School Affairs, Concordia College Alumni), Harry Coo (Vancouver, Canada), Rubi Abiera, Riz Marsella, NShalom, Caesar & Marie, Florence Camacho, Lyle & Rexy, MonTezRogado (Florida, USA), Jing (Macjing), Malou Caluza (Hong Kong), M.S. Villapando, Cris Cox (Los Angeles, California), Ronnie Lacostales, Analiza Bawar, Danny Deray, Jannette Siasico Cabada, Prescy Castillo (University of Sydney, Australia), Christine Mosuela, Rene Pangadlo, Eve Dumlao and Cecille Batoon.

Here are some of the other letter-writers:

• From Ulyses Lao

I am soooo glad Rio is doing well. I thank the Lord for it and praise His Name for it. Her letters to Philstar have always been a source of hope, inspiration, and faith for me and my family. My mother is also fighting the same Big C.

Thank you Rio, for the inner courage you’ve shown to many people. I want you to know that your letters help many people like me and my mom. I personally think that people who have cancer are the most courageous and bravest people God ever made. They are the "chosen ones" whom the Lord called to remind people that we need Him and shows the unfaltering love He has for us. I thank God for you, Rio.

I will pray for you and your family, especially your children Jaime, Claudia and Ali. They have a wonderful mom. Never lose hope and keep on fighting. The Lord will always be there to help. Thanks for sharing your life with cancer with us.

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• From Noel Herrera
Hope there’s a way to spread this message to hospital patients who are terminally ill. This is to give them relief in surrendering to God and accepting from God the anguish and physical sufferings they are undergoing at the time of near death.

Preparedness to enter the enternal life gives peace and security to somebody in such traumatic state.

Same with Rio, I am also a survivor and will have to keep purging my weaknesses/sins until the time I will see God’s light again. Let God use our physical body for His purpose here on earth. Life will be more meaningful.

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• From Sharon Bauer (Rio’s former classmate, now living in San Francisco)
I just read the piece about Rio Diaz in our website. I, too, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year in February. I had surgery and chemo plus I have to take a medication for five years. I’m done with all my treatments except for the follow – up checkups. I was considered to be a stage one, thank God.

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• From Teresa Ayong (also Rio’s former classmate)
I read Rio’s letter teary eyed. I remember my mom, she’s also a cancer victim. She’s had cerebral lymphoma and I was lucky to have taken care of Mom for at least two years. I know how it feels. Am so touched by Rio’s plight. In fact, I saw her during the Cancer Week at the Folk Arts Theater together with the other cancer victims. I’ve also seen the kids who are also fighting against cancer. Truly they’re all blessed. They still wore happy faces and performed with vigor.

Whenever I feel so low with all my worries, I think of Rio and how brave she is and I am inspired to go on. Truly, nothing is impossible with the Lord.

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• From Jenny Omura
God is truly good and alive! I have this thought of committing suicide every now and then but after reading Rio’s testimonies on the kindness of our Lord, something has suddenly changed. Rio’s testimonies have made a big difference in my life. Thank God. I admire you Rio for making your battle for life amazingly successful!

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• From Lyn
I would like to thank you for the write up about Rio Diaz. Little do you know that with things like that, you get to affect people’s lives. Rio is indeed a survivor in every respect and I praise God for people like you who, with write-ups like these, give us readers a respite from all the bad news we read in the paper everyday.

My boyfriend has leukemia and he has found so much strength in reading Rio’s letter to you. Is it at all possible if you can forward my email to Rio? I don’t know if this is so much to ask but I am sure my boyfriend will be strengthened with whatever Rio has to say. I hope and pray that you can grant my request. Thank you in advance.

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• From Mon & Steph
Couldn’t help but cry while reading’s Rio’s letter to you. As a mother of two young kids, I don’t know how she can cope with the knowledge that she is living on borrowed time. I’m so amazed at her strength, her lack of bitterness, and how she surrenders her life to the One above whole heartedly. Please continue publishing her letters to you – it’s a reminder to us all that we should live each day to the fullest and how lucky most of us are.

What’s up?

• The All-Star Basketball game will be held starting at 6 o’clock tonight at the Cultural Center in Lipa City for the benefit of the project of the Association of barrio captains of Lipa. Players include Tirso Cruz III, Phillip Salvador, Ronnie Ricketts, Ian Veneracion, Ace Espinosa, Willie Revillame, Carlos Morales, Rez Cortez, Kevin Vernal and Carlos Agassi.

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E-mail reactions at: [email protected]