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The survivor in Rudy

By Florence F. Hibionada

(Editor's note: This is a reprint from Iloilo Yearbook 2005)
"I will only stop running the day my heart stops beating."

His day begins at dawn, the routine almost always the same - run, swim and bike. And then it continues throughout the day. More running, some swimming and biking.

At 59, Rodolfo "Rudy" Fernandez, holder of several unbeaten track records and advocate of social causes to end hunger and poverty, has become the man he has since pushed himself into - a world-class triathlete.

A licensed Secondary Physical Education teacher at the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) in Lapaz, Iloilo City, this varsity scholar of the University of San Agustin has indeed gone a long way. He also lost one good leg along that way.

For someone whose passion in life is running, bemedalled even for those pursuits, a single leg fracture could spell disaster. So imagine losing a whole leg to a grenade explosion. For many, that would have meant the end of the road but not for the survivor in Rudy, fifth of eleven Fernandez siblings, natives of Pili, Ajuy, Iloilo.

He was at the peak of his running career when tragedy struck: he was among the scores hurt and seriously wounded in a grenade attack back in July 14, 1978 inside a cinema by downtown Iloilo City. Double tragedy too for him and his family after one of the two later discovered to have been killed in the blast was his 16 year-old brother-in-law, who was seated right next to him.

The years in between proved to be lowest and highest for this homegrown hero, icon of Iloilo and inspiration across the globe to those who stand by the road to have a glimpse and at times applaud the effort of this one-legged multi-faceted athlete.

Father to three sons and an adopted daughter, Rudy remains dedicated to every mile run, every river crossed and every mountain trek biked. To his credit are admirable, astonishing even, records of triumphs - majority of which he won as an amputee athlete.

At the start of last year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games with the Philippines as host country, Rudy proudly took center stage anew after running his part, carrying the SEA games torch. Days later, he filed for a leave of absence at work to once again take part in an international marathon event in Singapore.

Every event he participates in is yet another symbol of victory for all others whose physical handicaps have made them inferior to life and living. Rudy stands as the living proof that anything is possible for as long as you set your heart to it.

One man with his one leg, off to many journeys as he returns home with many victories. Among his many pursuits, most notable was his swim across the shark-infested waters between Panay and Negros islands, 21 nautical miles (32 kms) of non-stop 7 hours, 48 minutes and 18 seconds back in January 20, 1996.

"I was afraid to stop then. The sharks might get me. I once read while researching that continuous swimming will have your body temperature adjust to a certain level that even the sharks will begin to think you are one of them. I don't know if that's true. But I believed it anyway so I just kept on going until I am sure no sharks were in sight," he said in jest while recalling the excitement of that particular swim for a cause.

That's the real Rudy, running, biking and swimming for his life and others.

Yet how is he since the grenade attack?

"I have long forgiven them. I don't even know who they are. But for a while, at least over a year after it happened, I was so devastated, all hopes were gone. I have no leg. I cannot run. I cannot even walk. So I hated the world and somehow allowed them to take from me more than the leg I lost. I let them get my life as well. My trophies and medals, those were the very first ones I kept out my sight. Those were victories from my past where I still had two legs, when I was still complete. The more I see them the more I got frustrated. It was like being given new pairs of shoes when I don't even need one. But one day, with God's grace, I finally put a stop to it. I saw this show on television where someone who had a far worse handicap than me was doing something remarkable. I thought then: ‘I'm not blind nor my body is only half, I can do that. I can do more'," Rudy said.

Thus, he once again psyched himself up. One step, half-step at a time. His training was even more fired up until local reporters began to notice him. Then a story was written of his second chance as an athlete, an amputee athlete. That was all he needed. The second lease at life that got American businessman Don Kerr of California call him one day. It was to be his first-ever international call that got him not only a new believer in Kerr but his most precious gift ever - a new leg, most specifically a Titanium hydraulic mechanical leg.

"I was surprised he knows me. Then he said his company can make me a new leg. I remember telling him then: ‘It's okay, I don't need one.' I actually meant I cannot afford to pay for one. Then, as if he knows my predicament, he said they will give it to me for free. Up until today, I am still in disbelief because here is a total stranger who wants to help me," Rudy continued. In hindsight he added, "You know, at the time of the grenade incident, I was warned. I went to the restroom and I heard this male voice calling my name, "Jing, dali lang (Jing, please wait)." Nobody knows me by that name except those I know from childhood but I was in a hurry to get back to the movie ‘Attack of Agathon'. Maybe, had I listened to that voice, I am a different man now but then I am better one with my one real leg and this Titanium one."

There are to be others instrumental in helping him believe in second chances. There's yet another angel in his boss, Engineer Richard Salas, who got him his first bike. In crutches then, Rudy said he would always report to work late after most often being ignored by passing jeepneys.

"My boss gave me the bike as a present after I assured him that I can ride it. I told him if the blind can find their way, how much more myself who has perfect vision and one perfect leg," he said. Rudy has never been late for work since then.

You know in the end God will not care if you only have one real leg and the other Titanium. In his eyes, we are all equals. All that will really matter in the end is how good or bad we have done in the life He gave us. And I am guided by this," Rudy simply stated while sharing to this writer his guiding words, "Don't pray to be sheltered from problems but to be fearless in facing them. Don't be afraid of pain but ask for a heart that conquers it."

And his other passion? This triathlete like any other mortals have three wishes - meet Muhammad Ali, the great boxing legend; meet Michael Jordan, the great basketball legend; and meet Kernaut, the Ethiopian world-record runner holder. As added bonus, Rudy would one day want to have his dream running shoes and dream bike, "size 10 intelligent running shoes and a triathlon bike." Both are running in thousands of pesos, which he said he really cannot afford to buy but only afford to dream.

Rudy's exploits brought him repeatedly to international marathon events in Singapore and Hongkong. He was also once featured in Reader's Digest January 1996 edition as among the "Heroes for Today" written by Ilonggo journalist Nereo Lujan.

"I have no problem when people stare at my Titanium leg. I smile back when they smile at me. I know they are happy to see me run and strive to get to the finish line. Their applause gets me to the finish line faster. I am happier really to know that I bring inspiration to others."

Dream big it is and has been for Rudy who has sent his children through college, "they are all professionals." Even in the shirts and caps he uses, Rudy keeps the dream alive.

In a meeting with this writer, Rudy was wearing a 1984 Los Angeles Olympics shirt and a matching cap.

"I didn't go here. I have never been to a real Olympic event but I will be one day. For now, I keep them close by wearing this shirt and cap," he mused.

As a sidelight, it's not all sports for Rudy who said that for an Ilonggo, he makes really good Bicol Express, a dish not Ilonggo but loved by Ilonggos. He also is most proud of his 155 cap-collection.

"My son promised to build me a room so I can have all those on display with my trophies and medals," he shared.

Meanwhile, Rudy Fernandez lives to dream on and dream big. This dream will one day bring him to his ultimate race and ultimate challenge, the Iron Man Competition in Hawaii. Athletes worldwide converge to join this event and in the next one, Rudy hopes to qualify and win big.

"Both able athletes and amputees like myself can join for as long as you can qualify and pass the endurance tests. I know I can win. I can even break the record of the one in the Hall of Fame because I know I can swim faster, run faster and bike faster." That's Rudy - all confident of himself.

One man. One leg. Onward to victory one day at a time. Keeping the Ilonggo spirit alive. An Ilonggo icon and wonder of all wonders.