Get well wish card for Mike Arroyo

Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, taking her oath as President of the Philippines. Beside her is the First Gentleman, Jose Miguel (Mike) Arroyo.

Get well wish card

for Mike Arroyo

By Abdel Aziz Dimapunong

Imam, Masjid Alkhari, Manila

Here is a wish card for the First Gentleman of the Republic of the Philippines, Jose Miguel Tuason Arroyo, to get well soon. The President’s husband underwent the high-risk open heart surgery last Easter Sunday, April 9, 2007 at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. The First Gentleman bravely underwent the heart operation after he was diagnosed with a heart ailment known as dissecting aortic aneurysm.

The First Gentleman with the President while taking her oath of office as

President of the Philippines

The day he bravely faced the surgeon’s knife was Easter Sunday, a Special Holiday in Christendom. It is also a holiday to me. On the eve of Easter Sunday in 1975, I was rushed to the Makati Medical Center for treatment after having met a serious car accident where my car was totally wrecked. One half of my car (the rear half) was left at Paseo De Roxas and the other half swerved to De La Rosa Street, Makati City.

The thing that I remember most during my confinement inside the Makati Medical Center was a visit of a well wisher classmate. He was Diosdado Macapagal, Jr. (Buboy), brother in law of the First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo.

Twenty years later, I was again in an Emergency Room. This time I was hastened to the ER of the Philippine Heart Center. I had a heart attack. I had to face immediate open heart surgery, the same emergency situation as that of the First Gentleman. On an emergency like this persons that could help come to mind. Buboy was one of them. As soon as he came to know my situation, he sent a check to help out. He also called me by phone and wished me good just before my open heart surgery. I will not forget that concern. My gratitude to Buboy extends to his sister, Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and to his brother-in-law, the First Gentleman, Jose Miguel Arroyo, and all members of the First Family.

To the President, Your Excellency, Mike Arroyo is already out of danger, Insha Allah. Open heart surgery has already been perfected in our country. We have the best of heart surgeons and cardiologists in the world.

In only few days, the First Gentleman could be playing again with his grand daughter.

All my best wishes for the First Family. Rahimakom Allah. May The Almighty God bless you.

Sincerely,

Abdel Aziz Dimapunong

Imam, Masjid Al Khairi, Manila