Bacho dares to survive

Del Bacho, 38, was a pioneer mixed martial arts fighter with the URCC (Universal Reality Combat Championships) in 2002 and became a referee two years later. He was introduced to sports broadcasting in 2005, covering the ABS-CBN series “Kamao” with Robin Padilla, Vina Morales and Manny Pacquiao.

A UST graduate, Bacho eventually found more and more opportunities in media. He wrote a column called “Dare Del” for Maxim Magazine, inviting readers to send in their dares for him to do. To oblige his readers, Bacho did various stunts like sticking an arm up a horse’s ass, stripping down to his underwear and dancing in a gay bar. He also wrote “naughty” stories, interviewed cover girls and big personalities including UFC legend Chuck Liddell, billionaire UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta and NBA hero Kobe Bryant.

Bacho didn’t stop there. He appeared in independent films, one being Paul Soriano’s “Sayaw” as a washed-up pro boxer turned trainer. The movie was screened in various film festivals world-wide. He came out as a main character and went naked in the sex comedy “Sikreto Ni Kuya.” In 2006, Bacho was cast as a fight commentator and did post voice-over work for “Pacquiao – The Movie” with Jericho Rosales.

Bacho’s other credits included a contract as the fight commentator on “Real Pinoy Fighter” in 2006, as the celebrity martial arts training coordinator for ABS-CBN’s TV epic “Rounin,” as the fight director of the Pedro Penduko remake with Matt Evans and the ABS-CBN teleseries “Sana Maulit Muli,” “Princess Sara” and “May Bukas Pa” and as event host for live UFC broadcasts.

* * * *

What recently caught Bacho’s eye was a TV commercial announcing auditions for the “Biggest Loser – Asia.” Bacho, weighing close to 315 pounds, was encouraged by his kids – Soleil Paige, 15, and Shane Dylan, 9 – to join. Celebrity pals Rovilson Fernandez and Diether Ocampo also egged him to audition.

Over 500 overweight hopefuls showed up for the first auditions at Fitness First in SM Megamall. There were thousands more who reported for tryouts in Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and India.

 “I was a walk in,” recalled Bacho. “The screening was much like in ‘American Idol’ with singing replaced by showcasing how athletic you were as a fat person. The prize at stake for the winner was $100,000 plus a Renault car. I was lucky enough to be chosen from the thousands all across Asia. I jumped for joy literally when I got the call last Sept. 1 and was scheduled to leave for Malaysia for the three-month shoot on Sept. 28.”

Then, typhoon Ondoy intervened. Bacho’s home in Cypress Village, Quezon City, went 18 feet underwater in a matter of minutes as the river on Del Monte Avenue overflowed.

 “We lost literally all our stuff, car, clothes and appliances,” sighed Bacho. “My wife (Wilma Acedera) and son Shady had to be rescued via a floater and garden hose and climbed up our roof for safety. My daughter Soleil was separated from us for 36 hours. It was maddening. During our plight, I fell several times trying to save our dogs and I was plopping all over the place. Two days later, when the water partially subsided, we waded through mud and debris to salvage what we could in our home.”

During the retrieval process, Bacho felt some pain in his elbow but didn’t mind it.

Bacho thought of canceling his trip to Malaysia but his children convinced him to go. “What was supposed to be a trippy contest became a mission of hope,” said Bacho who left with seven other Filipinos, including actress Ruby Rodriguez, to compete in the reality show.

Bacho and three other Filipinos survived the first eliminations for 30 contestants. Five days into the competition, Bacho showed the way with a 15-pound reduction. Then, the pain in his elbow started to worsen. He went for an X-Ray and Malaysian doctors found he had a separated elbow that required surgery. Bacho underwent an open reduction procedure with a K-wiring to repair the damage.

Bacho went in for a second surgery to remove the wires then was told the bad news. He was booted out of contention because of his elbow problem but organizers promised free training at Fitness First and kept him alive for the $10,000 consolation prize.

* * * *

Back in Manila, Bacho saw five orthopedic surgeons who all said the operations in Malaysia were useless because his elbow remained a dislocated mess. He tried to contact the Malaysian doctors who performed the two operations but none has replied. The problem is Bacho has run out of money with Maxim Magazine gone and jobs as a fight director scarce, if not unavailable.

“In Malaysia, we were given a 50 ringgit (P675) allowance every actual day we spent inside the ‘Biggest Loser-Asia’ house but I had no pay when I checked in at the hospital and during my recuperation at the site,” said Bacho. “Since coming back home with an injury, I’ve been in limbo. My Maxim gig is over, shows are winding down for the holidays so no fight directing and even if there were offers, how can I choreograph a fight scene with one arm?”

Bacho said his life savings took a major hit because of Ondoy. “We literally had to start over like newlyweds with two children,” he continued. “My wife has been strong in taking care of all that and the kids to boot in my absence from being in the show. No money is coming in from my end and Christmas is here. But don’t get me wrong. We’re all happy just to be safe and alive.”

Today, Bacho walks around with a dislocated elbow. He’s lost 31 pounds since joining the “Biggest Loser-Asia” and he’s training to shed off more despite doctors’ orders to chill for a while.

Bacho said a broadcasting career might bring his life back on track.

“I’ve always enjoyed doing sportscasting, acting and even hosting, hopefully, something along those lines would open up for me,” he said. “My dream has always been to host my very own talk show like Conan. Maybe, I could endorse weight loss products. It’s free to dream.”

This Christmas season, Bacho and his family are praying for a break. Let’s hope it comes in the new year.