Donations pour in for cancer-hit Simbajon

Junior lightweight fighter Gregie Simbajon, 19, is bed-ridden with cancer, Stage 3, and listed as a terminal case. He has a soft tissue tumor the size of a pomelo, near his pelvis. The cancer has spread to the bone and the lungs.

Simbajon has been subjected to chemotherapy. He shaved his head when his hair started to fall.

Simbajon’s manager Marty Elorde yesterday said attending physician Dr. Cipriano de los Reyes has called off more chemotherapy. Simbajon’s kidneys are weakening and he’s running a fever because of the infection.

The hospital has been Simbajon’s home the last two months. He is confined in Room 140 at the Perpetual Medical Center in Sucat, Parañaque. He can hardly lift his swollen left leg because of the bulging tumor in his hip and is unable to walk. In bed, he entertains visitors and watches videos that boxers from Elorde’s stable rent for him.

A Catholic, Simbajon said he entrusts his life to the Lord. When he could still walk, he visited Sister Mary Imaculata, head of the Reparation Sisters of the Holy Eucharist, in a Tagaytay convent. The healing nun once surprised Simbajon in the hospital at 5 a.m. and prayed over him.

For a while, Simbajon drank a potion formulated by Dr. Fernando Navales. According to Dr. Navales, the potion is called ACT — anti-cancer treatment — and has worked in several cases. A liter of the potion costs P5,400 and translates into 18 doses, good for six days. The standard dosage is a jigger every eight hours. Dr. Navales said in severe cases, he prescribes double dosage.

Elorde said Simbajon is also taking herbal medicine prescribed by Dr. Ruben Galang.

In sum, Simbajon’s bill has run up to over P200,000. Elorde said he is grateful to friends and sympathizers who have contributed to the fund drive for Simbajon. Former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Mel Lopez visited Simbajon last week and gave P6,000.

Other donors were Tony Aldeguer (P5,000), Russell Lee ($200), Terry Carter ($100), Benjie Puyat (P5,000), Andres Obieta (tribalene tablets), Jose Betito (herbal juice), Sachi Takahata (Y10,000), Troy Jimenez (P1,000), movie actor Robin Padilla (P5,000), boxing judge Vincent Rodriguez (P5,000), Allih Padilla (P5,000), Peter McNeely (P5,000), Bobong Dominguez (P2,500), Joey Rivera (P1,000), Gerard Maranilla (P5,000), Lito Mondejar (P1,000), Rod Nazario (P3,000), Moy Lainez (P2,000), Gerry Garcia (P500), and anonymous (P7,000).

Additionally, the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chipped in P5,000 from its Boxers Welfare Fund, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) sent P50,000, and the Luzon Pro Boxing Association donated P3,000.

Elorde said expenses are mounting and welcomes contributions of any amount. He is accepting donations in his office at Tel. 825-1554.

Simbajon, the oldest of four children – all boys, was born to poor parents in Compostela, Davao del Norte. His father Avelino is a wood laminator who, if business is brisk, earns P300 a day. His mother Vitaliana is a housewife. His three brothers – Avelino, Jr., 14, Teober, 10, and Junald, 7 – are in public school.

A childhood friend and amateur fighter Billy Iburdas taught Simbajon how to box. When he was 15, Simbajon tried his luck as a simonpure and went on to compile a 17-4 record. He boxed for the Asiatic stable in Tagum and later joined North Cotabato Gov. Manny Pinol’s camp. Last year, Simbajon rode a cargo boat with a friend Ricky Senigo, another fighter, for three days and four nights to look for a job in Manila.

Simbajon, a high school graduate, wound up at the Elorde gym in Sucat. He trained religiously and turned pro. At the start, Simbajon was sensational, scoring back-to-back first round knockouts over Jovy Gato and Exequiel Gato. He looked like a prospect – tall at 5-7 with long arms, long legs, and dynamite fists like a small version of Tommy Hearns. Then, last September, he went up against Fel Oydoc, a veteran, and was floored twice in losing a six-round decision.

After the loss, Simbajon felt numbness in his left leg and pain in his back. He went to a manghihilot and a chiropractor but the relief was only temporary. Last October, he resumed training and sparred with Pan Asia welterweight champion Fernando Sagrado. He surrendered to Sagrado after two rounds and never again returned to the ring. The pain recurred and became unbearable.

Finally, Elorde brought Simbajon to Dr. de los Reyes who recommended an MRI. The finding was startling. Simbajon had a tumor near his pelvic bone.

Last week, the GAB’s Dr. Nasser Cruz and Dr. Renato Alampay visited Simbajon at the hospital. They studied Simbajon’s medical chart and agreed the Stage 3 cancer would be tough to beat.

Simbajon is losing weight fast. He is restless in bed, not knowing what lies ahead. But he hasn’t given up hope.

For Simbajon, the fight isn’t over until the final bell.