AVOID SALTY and spicy foods and rest as much as you can.
This was the orders given by gastroenterologist Regina Bagsic to Manny Pacquiao just before the boxing star was discharged from the Cardinal Santos Hospital at noon yesterday after being admitted there Friday after lunch for stomach pains and vomiting.
“I feel much better now,” Pacquiao told the Bulletin yesterday afternoon. “Ito lang ulcer ko talaga ang problema ko.”
The fighter’s attending physician said the 27-year-old GenSan southpaw is suffering from acid reflux. As a precautionary measure, Pacquiao has been advised to report back to the Cardinal Santos on Monday for a follow-up checkup.
During his 24-hour stay at the hospital, Pacquiao was given two bottles of dextrose and his friends, bodyguards and a sprinkling of relatives kept him company until he checked out.
Among those who expressed their concern over Pacquiao’s hospitalization were Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and son Ali and Manila Rep. Miles Roces, who sent flowers.
Also making their presence felt were Pacquiao’s former manager Polding Correa and gun enthusiast Cris Aquino and the numerous companies that the boxer endorses.
Pacquiao was also confined last March for the same ailment although he doesn’t see any problem with the preparations that he will take heading into the Nov. 18 rubber match with Erik Morales of Mexico.
Pacquiao was supposed to fly to the US to show his support to the title bid of lightweight challenger Randy Suico but was forced to miss the Philippine Airlines flight owing to severe stomach pain and vomiting.
Meanwhile, Morales expressed the belief that he has found the “formula ganador” (winning formula) against Pacquiao in a story that came out in the Mexican media.
Morales is still smarting from the savage tenth-round knockout loss to Pacquiao last January. “I will prepare (for this fight) like never before and I will be in 100% in shape to guarantee a win,” said Morales.
