By RUEL J. MENDOZA
MULING nagbigay ng update ang sister ni Julio Diaz na si Ana Marie Regaliza-Datuin tungkol sa kalagayan ng aktor.
May dalawang linggo na ang nakakaraan simula noong itakbo si Julio sa ospital dahil kailangan itong maoperahan sa utak.
Ayon kay Datuin, “recovering steadily” na si Julio pagkatapos na mag-perform ng endovascular treatment or “coiling procedure” para ma-treat ang brain aneurysm nito.
Ginawa ang naturang operasyon sa St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City.
“My brother is now into his 13th day at St. Luke’s Hospital and has been moved from ICU into a regular room.
“With the help of physical therapy, Julio is starting to regain his strength and ability to move around.
“Visitors are still restricted at the moment as per doctor’s advice. He will be able to receive guests in a couple of days.
“The funds that came through relatives, friends and gofundme.com have been a great help to us, the family, as we cope with mounting medical bills.
“Thank you so much for your continuous support in saving our brother’s life. May the good Lord bless you for your kindness. Please continue to pray for Julio’s/Marnie’s complete healing.
“He was able to recognize and wave at a friend and colleague in business Gardo Verzosa who visited him last night.
“He also became aware that he is at St. Luke’s hospital and got worried and asked my son how is he going to pay for all the medical bills.
“The nurse told him not to worry about anything and just focus on getting himself healed,” post pa ni Datuin sa Facebook.
Naka-raise ng higit na $13,551 or around over P600,000 sa GoFund.com at mababayaran na nito ang ilang medical expenses ni Julio.
Pinasamalatan ni Datuin ang mga aktor na sina Robin Padilla at Coco Martin na nag-donate ng tig-P100,000. Maging ang prima ballerina na si Lisa Macuja-Elizalde ay nag-donate ng $1,000 through GoFund.com.
Gayun din ang pasasalamat ni Datuin sa iba pang mga kaibigan ni Julio na sina Ed Instrella, Dranreb Belleza, Cherry Coronel, Brilliante Mendoza, Gardo Verzosa, Cherry Pie Picache, Jaclyn Jose, Olga Natividad, Julius Bernabe Reyes, Raymond Red, Mel Bacani, Vivian Foz, Vivian Velez at Nadia Montenegro.
Nagkaroon pa ng isang fundraising campaign ang Actor’s Guild na “4 for July” kung saan each member ng guild ay mag-donate ng P4,000 para sa medical bills ng aktor.
Bago pa nagkaroon ng sakit si Julio, nagawa pa nitong makatapos ng dalawang indie films. Una ay ang “Maratabat” na dinirek ni Arlyn dela Cruz kung saan gumanap siya bilang isang political kingpin in Mindanao. Napili nga ito para sa People’s Film Festival in Harlem, New York.
Kasama rin si Julio sa “Ma Rosa” ni Brillante Mendoza na isa sa 20 entries selected for the main competition of the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival. Co-stars niya rito sina Jaclyn Jose, Andi Eigenmann, and Felix Roco.