Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez Dies of Periampullary Cancer

March 3, 1952 ? June 7, 2008

Today at 6:15am, Rudy Fernandez, a well-known Philippine celebrity, has succumbed and died because of Peri-ampullary Cancer disease. Daboy, as he is fondly called, is 55 years old. He died in his home at Joeylane Street, White Plains, Quezon City, days after he personally requested to go home from Cardinal Santos Medical Center. His wake and remains are accessible to the public at Heritage Park, C5, Taguig City.

A video report that I found on Youtube can be seen below.

Because of the disease, many questions are now raised regarding periampullary cancer. Basically, it is a tumor on the bile passageway called ampula. The tumor prevents bile from flowing and complications thus arise. For more information on Periampullary Cancer you can visit this link http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=120892 .

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.

Ignacio mentioned 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.

He also said that 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.

(Periampullary cancere is usually mistaken for hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer or other liver ailments so it isn’t given the right medication.)

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, periampullary 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 (yellowing of skin tone).

A more complete report on what happened with Daboy’s death and a concise summary of his career is block quoted below (taken from http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=120966 .

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 leaving her husband’s fate to God. ?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 Philippines for medical treatment of the actor?s cancer.

They were recently advised by US doctors 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 the actor 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 latter was in pain. ?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”.