Rudy Fernandez's decision to go home instead of staying in the hospital did alleviate his sinking spirits, at least for a while.
"'Yong coming home was actually a good thing for him parang na-lift ‘yong spirits niya dahil that's why he wanted to leave sa ospital kasi, ‘di ba mahirap? Siyempre ‘yong environment sa ospital iba sa bahay. So, ‘yong sa bahay mas okey sa kanya ‘yong time na nakauwi siya," recalled Ralph Fernandez, Rudy and wife Lorna Tolentino's son.
PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) along with some members of the press had the chance to talk with Ralph on the first day of Daboy's wake yesterday at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.
Daboy (Rudy's nickname) succumbed yesterday, June 7, to periampullary cancer after a long and hard-fought battle that started two years ago before his 54th birthday.
Before his condition completely deteriorated, Rudy and his wife Lorna went to the States last March for a short vacation and to try an alternative treatment for cancer. The couple immediately came back after the doctors informed them that they could do nothing more to prolong Rudy's life.
An ambulance fetched the couple upon their arrival in Manila, taking Rudy to the Cardinal Santos Hospital in Greenhills, San Juan, where he was confined until June 1. It was Rudy who asked to be brought home.
According to entertainment columnist and good friend Ricky Lo, Daboy also requested not to be put on a respirator once his vital organs ceased functioning.
Recalling his father's remaining days, Ralph sadly shared, "For the past few days the conversations were very minimal... hindi siya masyadong wordy. Kumbaga ano na lang, ‘yong galaw ng mukha, kindat, ‘yong mga kaya niya na lang gawin na actions kasi nga nanghihina na siya."
While Rudy kept his sense of humor intact, Rudy would
take a serious tone and impart important life lessons, especially to his sons. It was a noticeable change.
"Parang ever since nung nagkaroon na siya ng cancer, 'yong conversations namin parang may ibang lalim na ‘yong mga sinasabi niya, mabigat na parang advise na, ‘Tandaan ninyo na ‘tong sinasabi ko.' Pero bago pa ‘to mag-worse yong condition niya," revealed Ralph.
"My dad wanted us to wear white," Ralph said. "Sa pagpunta ng mga tao, kumbaga lahat ng nagmamahal sa kanya na gusto makita siya kumbaga puwede silang pumunta."
Ralph, holding back his tears, tried to describe his father. "It's beyond description," he said with a deep sigh, "He's a great person. Good person talaga. Very trustworthy na talagang pagkakatiwalaan."