For the first time, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla publicly shared his battle with a life-threatening illness during an interview with veteran journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdes on “Usapang Real with Luchi.”
Remulla revealed that in 2023, doctors discovered a serious heart condition that required him to undergo open-heart bypass surgery. Not just one, but five bypass procedures were performed to restore proper blood flow to his heart.
Following a successful operation, while he was still recovering, he was later diagnosed with blood cancer or leukemia.
He underwent extensive treatment at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), including two cycles of chemotherapy, total body irradiation, and a bone marrow transplant.
“Kaya ang dugo ko ngayon ay hindi na ‘yong dati kong dugo,” Remulla shared.
“Ito ay dugo na galing sa aking anak. Full match kami. Kaya naka-recover ako, at mukhang maganda naman ang prognosis,” he added.
The Ombudsman recounted that before his diagnosis, he experienced dizziness, fatigue, and frequent nosebleeds that wouldn’t stop.
“Laging nagno-nose bleed, tapos ayaw tumigil,” he said.
When asked if he ever thought about the possibility of dying, Remulla said he chose not to dwell on such thoughts.
“I refuse to think of it that way. Kasi ang tingin ko lang, tomorrow is another day. Get through the night. Mapalipas mo lang ang gabi, paggising mo sa umaga, isang araw na naman na ibinigay sa ‘yo. Just natural, I just live by the day,” he expressed.
In recent years, many had noticed Remulla’s significant weight loss — now revealed to be a result of his arduous health journey and recovery.