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CEBU CITY, Philippines - The younger sister of Mayor Tomas Osmeña is inviting all politicians in Cebu city and province to join her in a healing Mass for his brother this Saturday.
Georgia Osmeña, who is organizing the activity, said she still has to decide on the venue because she just thought about the idea on Monday afternoon when Cebu Daily News (CDN) called her up to ask her about her political plans.
Instead of divulging her plans, Georgia announced the healing mass for her brother, who is in the United States undergoing treatment for urinary bladder cancer.
?I would like to invite all the politicians in Cebu City and in the entire Cebu Province or even those who are concerned for his (Tomas) health for a healing mass this Saturday,? Georgia said.
She wanted the venue to be at the Basilica del Sto. Niño but she had not asked permission yet.
She would also Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal to officiate the healing Mass for her brother.
?Personally the guy (Tomas) needs to rest. He doesn't have to get into such trouble,? she said.
?This is all that he needs (prayer). Instead of thinking about politics, let?s just ask the people to pray for him. The most important thing today is his health,? Georgia said.
The mayor is scheduled to be released from the M.D Anderson (MDA) Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, today when his second cycle of chemotherapy has ended.
Although she had not talked to her brother recently, Georgia said she was concerned for him.
The last time she saw and talked with her brother was the mayor went to Bacolod City in Negros Occidental to visit their ailing mother.
Georgia, however, denied that she had a falling out with her brother, Tomas.
But she said it was just a family problem, which she did not want to deal with anymore.
?There's never really a rift between Tommy and me. It is just between me and his wife (Margot) and so I just decided to stay out but we don't have problem,? Georgia told CDN.
But the ?rift? between Margot and her was already settled.
She said those family problems were now ?insignificant.?
For the healing Mass, she appealed to all the politicians that they be united on that day to offer their prayers for his brother.
Although she wouldn't be personally inviting all of them, she said she wished Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, all the congressmen, mayors, the Cebu City councilors and all provincial board members will take time to attend the Mass.
?It would be nice if all the government officials will be there. I will surely be there,? Georgia said.
But she said she would have to finalize everything within the week.
Tomas is expected to finish his second cycle of chemotherapy on Tuesday.
He told CDN in a text message that he would be released from the MDA after his injection to boost his white blood cell count.
So far, he added his body was taking the chemotherapy well.
?My body is taking well with none of nausea, loss of appetite, etc. I did have my head shaved because I was shedding too much hair,? he said.
His doctors got concerned when he developed a fever of 38.3 degrees Celsius.
He said the doctors gave him a series of blood tests, chest X-ray, urinary test, and a lot more.
?Grabe their fear of infection during the chemotherapy which can cause COMPLICATION,? he said.
After he was given Tylenol, his fever went down.
?I don?t know the cause (of the fever) but it?s gone,? he said.
But the mayor-on-leave did feel too homesick since there were many Cebuanos in MDA.
The nurse who volunteered to wheel him to for x-ray was Lloyd Mendoza, a classmate of Metro Cebu Water District board member Juan Saul Montecillo in the seminary.
?Daghang mga Sugbuanon dinhi (There are many Cebuanos here). I could write a society column. They drop at my room to make kamusta (say hello),? he said.
?During lunchtime about a dozen Pinoys brought food and we had a picnic in the cafeteria. Doctors don't like me to be exposed but what can I do?? he asked.
His next chemotherapy cycle will be on December 29.
In the meantime, Tomas said he will in Los Angeles where he, Margot and son Miguel will spend Christmas.
Miguel is studying in Philosophy in University of California, Los Angeles.
Tomas said he gained a lot of inspiration from Manny Pacquiao who won the fight against the Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya.
?Wakee called me today, spoke to Manny P. What an inspiration,? he told CDN.
