Rudy Fernandez dies

Actor Rudy Fernandez died at 6:15 Saturday morning at his home in Joeylane Street in White Plains in Quezon City due to a lingering illness.

He was 55.

After years of suffering from peri-ampullary cancer, Rudy succumbed to death in the presence of his wife, actress Lorna Tolentino, and sons Renz Marion and Raphael Fernandez. He also has a son, Mark Anthony, also an actor, with former partner, actress Alma Moreno.

Minutes after the official announcement of his death, people from all sides of showbiz sent the sad news to one another via text or phone calls.

Two days before his demise, Lorna issued a statement that she was ready to accept his husband’s sad fate. “I am entrusting his life to the Lord,” said the actress in her message.

Yet, she hoped that Rudy would still miraculously recover.

During these last few months, Rudy and Lorna were shuttling between the US and the country for medical treatment of the actor’s cancer.

They were recently advised by the patient’s doctors in the US to stay in a Philippine hospital for treatment.

Fernandez was confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan for almost a month.

Before he was taken home, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, one of Rudy’s bosom friends, said during an interview that Rudy tried to fight his illness but couldn’t hide the real state of his health. He said Rudy’s tummy was already bloated and his eyes and skin were yellowish, all symptoms of the deadly cancer.

The last time Estrada paid Rudy a visit in the hospital, the patient was agonizing. “Hirap na hirap na ako. (I can’t bear this anymore),” Fernandez was heard complaining.

Meanwhile, Senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla, another one of Rudy’s close pals, and colleagues in the film community, called on the public to say prayers for Fernandez..

Rudy’s final wish was to be laid to rest at the Heritage Park along C-5 in Taguig City.

Revilla told radio station dzMM Saturday that Fernandez's remains were immediately brought to the Heritage Park in Taguig City for the wake.

He said the public can pay their respects at the park.

Fernandez became famous for his action films such as "Baby Ama," and "Markang Bungo."

Fernandez has won best actor awards for his film, "Batuigas...Pasukuin si Waway," and "Victor Corpuz".

Peri-ampullary cancer

According to Dr. Jaime Ignacio, immediate past president of the Philippine Society for Gastroenterology, peri-ampullary cancer is the growth of tumor in the ampulla, a passage of bile duct in the intestines.

From the liver, bile duct supplies bile to the intestine, the liquid which digest the food in-take of a person. If the ampulla has a tumor, bile doesn't flow in the intestines resulting in inflammation of the bile duct.

Ignacio said that periampullary cancer is rare. For every 100,000 people, only 100 develop the illness. The cause of the condition is still unknown.

The following symptoms that might indicate periamplullary cancer: weight loss and bleeding of the ampulla which will be evident in a patient's stool. He added that the patient usually feels no pain.

Ignacio said this type of cancer is not easily detected and it may be too late for the patient once it is finally identified.

"Kadalasan kasi, inaakalang hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer o ibang sakit sa atay ang peri-ampullary cancer kaya hindi ito agad nalalapatan ng tamang lunas," Ignacio explained.

Treatment options include surgical removal of the tumor or loosening of the obstruction on the bile duct, technically referred to as endoscopic retrograde cholangoi-pancreatography.

In its later stages, peri-ampullary cancer cells spread to the liver. The survival rate is recorded at four out of ten people who are usually declared to be under remission if they remain cancer-free two years after the periampullary cancer was first discovered.

Ignacio advised that to be safe and on guard against periampullary cancer or any other liver condition, a person should see a specialist immediately if he or she manifests jaundice.


Filmography


* 1974 Patayin Ang Dugong Tirador
* 1976 Bitayin Si Baby Ama
* 1976 Wanted: Agad-Agad
* 1977 Makahiya at Talahib
* 1977 Alfredo Lim: Sa Kamay ng Ibabaw
* 1977 Gameng
* 1978 Bilangguan Walang Rehas
* 1978 Teteng Salonga ng Tondo
* 1979 Maynila
* 1980 Tatak Angustia
* 1980 Sa Init ng Apoy
* 1980 Pader at Rehas
* 1981 Pepeng Shotgun
* 1981 Ulo ng Gapo
* 1981 Lukso ng Dugo
* 1982 Tres Kantos
* 1982 Bagong Boy Condenado
* 1982 Mga Pambato
* 1982 Get My Son Dead Or Alive
* 1982 Kumander Elpidio Paclibar
* 1983 Sumuko Ka na Ronquillo
* 1983 Kumusta Ka na Hudas?
* 1983 Alex San Diego: Alyas Wanted
* 1983 Kunin mo ang ulo ni Magtanggol
* 1984 Idol
* 1984 Sarge
* 1984 Tulisang Dagat
* 1984 Kriminal
* 1984 Somewhere
* 1984 Pasukuin Si Waway
* 1985 Anak ng Tondo
* 1985 Bilang na ang Oras mo
* 1985 Baun Gang
* 1985 Tatak Munti
* 1986 Tatak ng Yakuza
* 1986 Deadly Target
* 1986 Teritoryo Ko Ito
* 1986 Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa!
* 1987 Vigilante
* 1987 Victor Corpuz
* 1988 Tubusin ng Dugo
* 1989 Ipaglalaban Ko
* 1989 Sandakot na Bala
* 1990 Ayaw Matulog ng Gabi
* 1990 Kaaway ng Batas
* 1991 Bingbong The Vincent Crisologo Story
* 1992 Kahit Buhay Ko
* 1992 Kamay ni Kain
* 1992 Markang Bungo: The Bobby Ortega Story
* 1993 Kung Kailangan Mo Ako
* 1993 Tumbasan mo ng Buhay
* 1994 Nagkataon Nagkatagpo
* 1994 LAGALAG: The Eddie Fernandez Story
* 1995 Matimbang Pa Sa Dugo
* 1995 Markang Bungo 2: Iligpit Si Bobby Ortega
* 1995 Kuratong Baleleng
* 1996 Itataya Ko Ang Buhay mo
* 1996 Wag na Wag Kang Lalayo
* 1997 Ayos Lang Pare ko!
* 1998 Birador
* 1999 Gintot Pilak
* 2000 Palaban
* 2000 Ping Lacson Story
* 2002 Diskarte
* 2002 Hula mo Huli ko