Rudy Fernandez: Home at last
Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. huddles with
Fernandez.
Last year's Pinoy Big Brother, a reality TV show, was a hit taking the whole country by storm. As a response to the demands of the viewing public, Endemol together with ABS CBN launched the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition last January. This time celestial names invade the intriguing Bahay ni Kuya giving the audiences more reasons to sit on their couch. Ilonggos are no exception to that. Our very own "Iron Man" Rudy Fernandez along with his twelve other housemates became a part of our daily lives.
The 58 year-old triathlete became a father to his younger housemates. For three weeks, we have seen him strive the not-so-easy life inside the secluded house. We witnessed how he grooved with the matinee idol John Pratts. We pondered on the encouraging words he gave to Bianca, Zanjoe, and Mitch. We heard him sang like never before with the chic but tough Gretchen. We cried when he did as he cried out his bottled emotions to Rustom, Christian, Budoy, and Angela. After his nomination along with two other housemates - Keanna and Rico, we flexed our metacarpophalangeal joints and texted as much as we could to save our triathlete wonder. But on his 21st day under the roof of Big Brother's house, the pride of Iloilo was evicted.
Employees at the Office of the Governor
gladly welcome Rudy Fernandez.
Last March 7, 2006, Rodolfo "Rudy" Fernandez went home to hand the PhP 50,000 check to the Good Shepherd Foundation, his chosen charity, in Guimaras. On his way back to Iloilo, he dropped by the City Hall to visit Mayor Jerry Treñas and thanked him for his support. Later on that afternoon, he was warmly welcomed by his collegues at the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) where he works as a Clerk III Evaluator under the Personnel Department. Wearing his blue PBB shirt, he walked into the hallways of his second home where he worked for almost 25 years. "I thought I would go straight home after the eviction but I was wrong. I had some guestings to attend to," says Rudy, with his wife Melba on his side, as he sips his coffee and narrates his experiences inside the house to Engr. Richard Salas of WIT, members of the broadcast and print media, and Miss Desiree Bretaña, ABS CBN Regional Marketing Manager.
It was Miss Bretaña who made Rudy's entry to the Pinoy Big Brother possible. After she read a write up about his one-of-a-kind story from the Heroes of Today page of the Readers' Digest January 1996 issue, she immediately and discreetly processed his papers. She sent a copy of his resume and a disc that would serve as a proof of Rudy's authenticity to Manila. The members of the panel from Endemol were amazed and they started to keep in touch with ABS CBN-Iloilo. The rest is history.
Rudy Fernandez is welcomed by his
colleagues at the Western Institute of
Technology.
The Ilonggo housemate proceeded to the Provincial Capitol after bidding his friends from WIT goodbye. On his way up to the Governor's Office, he was greeted by people that he came across with. Everyone was smiling looking on his way with utmost exaltation as he humbly walked with joy in his heart. While waiting for the Governor, Rudy was graciously entertained by Mrs. Neneth Pador, Head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. gratefully accepted Rudy, his wife and the members of the print and broadcast media in his office. They briefly conversed together as they sat around the spherical table. Rudy thanked the Governor for his support during his days prior to eviction from the Big Brother house. In his message, the Governor thanked him for bringing pride to the city and the province of Iloilo. "There are more upportunities for you in the future," adds Tupas.
A short visit at the Iloilo Sports Complex then followed. He showed to us a picture of him wearing his Gold Medal hang on the wall of the Iloilo Sports Complex Gallery and Lounge along with other Ilonggo sports achievers. His Gold Medals on the 10 km one-legged race from his quests in Hongkong last 1999, 2002, and 2003 as well as in Singapore on 2004 and in Subic Bay on the same year served as his passport to the much deserved portion of the Gallery.
At the Iloilo Sports Complex, Fernandez
was welcomed by fellow athletes.
"I knew Rudy even before the Allegro incident because he worked together with my wife at WIT. He was a regular client of ISC. He was given the priviledge to work out here for free because he has been competing with other triathletes," Mr. Francisco Tirador Heler Jr, Administrator and Provincial Govenment Assistant Department Head of ISC explained.
The tiresome day of Mr. Fernadez ended with an interview with the print media at the ABS CBN compound. When asked about his reaction to Rustom's shocking confession, he said "regardless of their sexual preference, I respect people because of their honesty." He also stated that being the oldest among the group inside the house, he has to go through some adjustments. He admitted that PBB has molded him into a better person.
At the office of WIT President
Engr.Richard Salas (2nd from left) with
Desiree Bretaña of ABS-CBN and
ABS-CBN reporter Nerissa Pedreso.
"I never consider myself as a celebrity. It is only a dream and sometimes I slap my face to convince myself that it is true,'' he uttered with a smile as he checks his 3320 Nokia cellphone. The phone was given to him by a man who said that Rudy inspired his son. Well, he is not an abecedarian in terms of touching people's lives. Long before he stepped into the PBB backyard he has been racing in other countries and donating the proceeds to various charitable institutions. He is an epitome of hope for every Ilonggo.
At the moment, Rudy looks forward to be reunited with her ex-housemates by April for a nationwide tour. He hopes that he can get back to work before his Leave of Absence expires.
Indeed, Rudy Fernandez is worthy to be in line with other celebrities not because his name implies so but because he is a just and an extraodinary being. We salute you for that!