"Merry Christmas to everybody," was the cheerful greeting of showbiz couple Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama to the few press people who were invited to their family's Thanksgiving mass held yesterday, December 1, at the Social Hall of Sanctuario de San Antonio.
Both recently survived a health crisis—Eddie had an angioplasty last November 5 at St. Luke's Medical Center and Annabelle underwent hysterectomy last November 15 at Asian Hospital.
The matriarch of the Gutierrezes announced: "Talaga namang napakasuwerte naming dalawa. Di ko akalain na magsabay-sabay pala kami. At sabay-sabay din kaming gumaling ngayong wala na akong dinadala sa tiyan ko. For ten years kong dinadala yun, ngayon nakakahinga ako nang maluwag, na wala na akong problema sa buhay ko, healthy na ako."
Annabelle may be one feisty lady, but the mere thought of going under the knife sent chills down her spine. She admitted, "Takot ako sa ano 'Day, eh, sa operation. Takot ako hindi na magising, takot ako sa anesthesia, takot ako sa lahat..."
But she changed her mind when the doctor mentioned the Big C. The mother of six related, "Nung sinasabi sa akin na 'cancer', nawala lahat ng takot ko. Nagpa-opera agad ako, at maraming, maraming salamat sa Diyos. At least naman, ang result naman ng biopsy is [negative], kaya maraming salamat. Kaya healthy'ng healthy na ako!"
According to her, the doctors removed her myoma, which was equivalent to the size of two fists, uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary.
DO'S AND DON'TS. Two visible changes in Annabelle are her weight loss and the way she walks.
She said, "One week ako hindi kumakain sa hospital dahil kasi operation ko. Bawal kumain ng matigas, kailangan puro lang soft diet, kaya pumayat talaga ako."
That night, the buffet table served lechon Cebu, but Annabelle could only look at her favorite food longingly. "Takam na takam nga ako sa lechon na iyan. Hay...!"
Good thing, she and Eddie were allowed to travel.
Today, the whole family, except Ruffa, will fly to the U.S. to watch the dream match of Manny Pacquiao and Oscar dela Joya at MGM Garden Resort Hotel in Las Vegas on December 6.
Another downside of her operation has to do with her sex life. She said teasingly, "Yung isang bagay lang yung hindi ako pinayagan, yung mag-aano kaming dalawa sa gabi, bawal yun...Magtitiis muna kami ni Eduardo. Magtitiis muna kaming dalawa, holding-holding hands muna kami."
The wife of Eddie added, "one month lang naman," which sent the press laughing.
What about "pagtataray?"
Annabelle quickly answered, "Hindi naman puwedeng hindi magtaray dahil siyempre, kung magtataray nasa lugar. ‘Pag involved na talaga ang family ko, hindi puwedeng hindi ako magtaray. Hindi puwede talaga.
SECOND LIFE. For his part, Eddie feels blessed, too.
"Ako naman," he said. "[Malaking] ginhawa sa buong pamilya. Talaga, sabi nga nila, kung hindi naagapan yung ginawa sa akin, baka ngayon, eh, pack-up na ko."
The patriarch of the Gutierrezes was brimming with gratitude. "I feel good. Masaya ako ngayon, at para ring masarap ang hangin, maganda lahat...I'm more in love with Annabelle, family, second life."
Annabelle could not help but chuckle about the last part of Eddie's remark. She added, "Kaming dalawa talaga, alam ko naman...Pag suwerte nagbigay sa inyo, tuluy-tuloy yun, kaya, I don't think maghiwalay pa kami ng asawa ko..."
The Holy Mass and gathering also served as a celebration for the victory of Ruffa and Raymond Gutierrez at the 22nd PMPC Star Awards. The unica hija of Eddie and Annabelle won the Best Female Talk Show Host for The Buzz, while Raymond was recognized as the Best Lifestyle Show Host for Living it Up.
Annabelle exclaimed, "Kaya nga ang aking pagpasalamat sa itaas, hindi talaga mahintu-hinto. Kaya maraming-maraming salamat, pasalamat ako sa lahat ng supporters ng Gutierrez family. Hanggang ngayon, nandiyan pa rin sila, mga supporters namin ni Eddie, ni Richard...Maski na maraming naiinggit sa mga anak ko, wala na kong pakialam sa kanila, good luck na lang sa inyo. Kaya kung may bago na namang intriga ngayon, ayoko nang magsalita."