(More) inspiring letters for Rio

On August 20, Rio Diaz-Cojuangco is turning 42. As Funfare’s way of greeting her an advance Happy Birthday – and may she have many more to come! – I’m putting out more letters from around the world, reacting to her recent letter to Funfare, all of them wishing her well and praying for her.

Here are some of them:

• From Alvin Avendano:

I’ve been following your articles about Ms. Rio Diaz. I am glad that she is well again. I’d like to share with you this story about how she helped my father who is also recovering from cancer. It was in 2001 when my father was diagnosed with cancer. During his radiation and chemotherapy he had problems creating saliva as the radiation disrupted his saliva-making glands which made it difficult for him to speak and eat. Because of this, I had to call a common friend of mine and Rio to buy salagen (medicine to create saliva) in the US but he wasn’t able to because he had no prescription. Luckily, Rio was there in the States and coordinated things for her doctor to prescribe salagen for my dad. Not only did she do that but she also bought the salagen and asked not to be paid. She personally went to the hospital to give it to my mom, who was looking after my father. Rio really went out of her way to give the medicines.

If you can, please send her my regards and that we’re praying for her and that we’ll never forget her kindness. I hope someday that I’ll be able to talk to her personally and say hi. My mom said that when Rio visited my dad during his treatments, Rio was very pretty and had a different aura. She was very angelic, my mom said.

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• From Manalo Dayrit:

I read your piece on Rio Diaz. It was deeply touching. I had to let a few days pass to be myself and send this e-mail.I was reading Rio through you, and I felt the pain and the sadness.

I met Rio in 1993 in L.A. when she was still with Hajji Alejandro. We had common business friends in the Valley (Van Nuys, to be precise) and we would literally bump into each other (and his son Ali who I think was 12 or 13 then) during parties that our friends would normally come up with for the flimsiest of reasons.

She wouldn’t remember me, of course. But I found her so vibrant, without a tinge of bitterness or superficiality around her. It’s her innate sincerity, at her being at peace with herself and the world, that indeed makes her truly one of the loveliest in this world, in the truest sense of that word.

Her letter to you is very Rio, indeed; it was so heartfelt and it dims one’s eyes to know that she is not going to be with us for long.

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• From Emmy, Bacolod City:

I was born in Bacolod City, Philippines (25 years ago) but currently live in Melbourne, Australia.

I like your article about the very inspiring Rio Diaz. A few days ago, the latest of her very personal letters made me cry (again) because I am reminded once again that human as we are, we become weak and vulnerable, but this woman has magnanimous strength amidst her most trying and difficult condition.

A few years ago, one of my best friends’ mom died of cancer. Rio’s story has kept me and my best friend strong and faithful before she passed away. Her amazing spirit kept us in proper perspective in such a way that we didn’t lose hope; we didn’t blame God for any of it and we just trusted in God’s ways and plans. Rio has become an example, inspiration and an anchor to all people (both well and unwell). She is truly an amazing woman with an amazing heart, soul and spirit.

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• From Cris Cox, Los Angeles, California:

Rio is really an inspiration to us, especially us cancer survivors. I wish I could see her, talk to her or just hug her. What a brave woman!

Though I have not been in coma, I’ve been confined at UCLA Medical Hospital for five days. A couple of days after, I had my first round of chemo. I thought that was the end of my life! Prayers offered on my behalf came from different places in the world and I am so thankful that there is a God the Father who hears and answers prayers. It’s now behind me but I will never forget what I’ve been through: six (once every three weeks) chemo treatments, surgeries, five-days-a-week full-month radiation therapy, five years of medication (three more years to go) plus an on-going quarterly check-up with my oncologist.

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• From Beth (no address given):

I went through a health scare about 10 years ago while my two kids were too young to fend for themselves and I was crying for what might happen to them if I passed on although their father was around to take care of them. I know that in her heart Rio is more worried about leaving her kids behind than thinking of herself. Mothers are like that. Their children’s welfare always comes first. Even though it really seems that Charlie (Cojuangco, her husband) will take good care of the children. Children really need and long for their mother’s nurturing. Yes, hang on Rio. Yes, Our God is really watching over you!

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• From Jorge Dionisio, Valenzuela City:

I read Rio Diaz’s letter. Hers is a story of courage, faith and love. I can emphatize with her, being a father of a malignant cancer victim. My daughter Bullet is diagnosed to have WILM’s tumor at the tender age of one. She’s now seven years old and living a normal life. Rio might be having a difficult life right now. But I believe God has a purpose. My sympathy goes to Charlie also. I know how difficult and heart-breaking it is to see your loved one endure all the hardships. I pray that whatever happens, God will make the lives of Rio and her family very meaningful, fruitful, memorable and bearable. God Bless

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• From Delia Acaba, Vienna, Austria:

It was so nice reading Rio’s letter in your column.Very inspiring.I am a survivor,too. I was diagnosed with bilateral Ovarian Cancer in October 2001 and had six cycles of Chemotherapy, too.Since the last cycle (February 2002), I have been on Remission.Please, Mr. Lo, if you could acquire for me a copy of Rio’s videotape on cancer patients and survivors.You mentioned it once in your column. More power to you! God Bless!

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• From Jack and Baby Dumaup:

We had the privilege of listening to Rio’s witness in our church. What she has cannot be taken away from her. Our prayer is that all who read your article will take that step of faith and finally trust Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Filipinos know Jesus but never really trusted in Him to save them. I was once a seminarian. I knew so much theology. None of those gave me the inner peace that after so many years finally came when I was convinced that Jesus indeed is my Lord and Savior.

It’s about time that we relied on Him rather than on our own goodness. After all, He has eternity in His hands; 100 years in this world is nothing compared to the eternal life He has promised to give those who trust Him ALONE for his or her salvation.

One is not ready to live until one is ready to die.

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E-mail reactions at: [email protected]