THE “miracle kid” is back.
Stricken boxer Z “The Dream” Gorres was finally reunited with his family as he returned home after more than two months of confinement at the University Medical Center (UMC) in Las Vagas, Nevada, USA. (See related story on page 32).
Gorres, however, left behind unpaid hospital bill amounting to $562,000 or roughly from P25 million to P30 million.
Michael Aldguer, president of ALA Promotion and Gorres manager, said that their biggest problem now is how to raise the amount to pay the hospital bill.
Aldeguer said they had paid $70,000 or about P3.2 million. The amount included Gorres’ insurance from Las Vegas worth $50,000 and help from retired boxers and the private sector.
Aldeguer said they were still working out on how to pay the remaining balance.
“We might seek help from foundation or have some fund raising,” Aldeguer said.
Aldeguer said they had yet to receive any financial assistance from Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao.
Aldeguer, however, assured that his family would help Gorres find a job after his recovery because the family considered him a family member.
Emotions ran high as about 200 family members, friends and fellow boxers met Gorres when he arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport past 10 a.m. yesterday.
Wearing a black ball cap, black polo, denim pants, shades and black rubber shoes, Gorres, who was on a wheelchair, cried upon seeing his four children—Dheybert, Shayla Dhey, Zhey and Khodhey—at the arrival area.
Gorres’ children wrote on bond papers: “Welcome home papa.” “We miss you papa.” “We love you papa.”
Gorres, 27, was accompanied by his wife Datches, and US-based Dr. Ben Calderon and his wife, Sofia
Aldeguer, president of ALA Promotion, met the three in Manila.
Gorres cried when he saw the streamers carried by the crowd who chanted “Gorres! Gorres! Gorres!” outside the arrival area.
Gorres was confined at the UMC after he collapsed shortly after his fight with Colombian Luis Melendez on Nov. 14 last year.
A surgery was conducted to remove a blood clot on Gorres’ brain.
Calderon, a Filipino doctor based in Las Vegas, said for Gorres can’t return to boxing. “Perhaps he can be a trainer,” he said.
Calderon, president of the Philippine Medical Association in Nevada, said the government of County Clark in Nevada helped Gorres shoulder his bill.
Calderon said Gorres was confined at the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) for a month. The ICU cost $2,500 per day.
Calderon, a native of Isabela and a graduate of the De La Salle University, said Gorres is in perfect health and is not under medication anymore.
“It helps a lot that he is an athlete. We call him the miracle kid. The first few weeks in the hospital, he was in critical condition and we thought he could not make it. But look at him now, he is pretty stable,” Calderon said.
Calderon, 43, said his services rendered on Gorres were free. He paid for his own fare and decided to accompany Gorres to make sure that there would be no complications during the long trip.
Gorres is eating regular food and can speak well.
“Thank you very much. Thank you for your prayers,” Gorres told a crowd who gathered in front of the barangay hall of Ibabao-Estancia in Mandaue City where he was brought after his arrival.
A short program, graced by Mandaue officials was held where a resolution congratulating Gorres was read.
“We will look for ways on how we could help Gorres. He could be part of of sports commission as a consultant. He can be an inspiration for our young boxers,” said Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes, who met Gorres at the airport.
The Mandaue City government gave P100,000 to the Gorres family.
From Estancia, Gorres proceeded to Patio Isabel in barangay Banilad, Cebu City for a press conference.
Gorres said he could no longer remember what happened during the fight.
“I even asked my wife who won the fight,” said Gorres.
Gorres said he could not remember that the referee raised his hands and declared him winner before he collapsed after.
Gorres was leading in scorecards and appeared to have the victory in the bag when Melendez hit him with vicious left to the head in the final 15 seconds that sent the Filipino boxer to the canvass.
Gorres said the late stages of the fight were the only things that he could not remember.
Joselito “Gigi” Gullas, University of the Visayas’ (UV) Assistant Vice President for Finance and Administration, attended the press conference and handed Gorres a bag containing an undetermined amount of cash donated by members of the UV alumni.
Gorres completed his high school and college education in UV.
ALA founder Antonio Aldeguer considered Gorres a hero.
“Because of Gorres, there is now a bill in the US that would increase the insurance of boxers,” he said.
Calderon said the bill aims to improve the health insurance of boxers from $50,000 to $1million.
Michael Aldeguer said the ALA Promotions would make sure that the future of Gorres would be taken cared of.
“He has been with us for nine years. My father is like a father to him and he is like a brother to me,” Michael said.
“We will sit with him and discuss his plans. We just want to let him know not to worry his future because we will make sure that he would be secured. We have business that he could be a part of,” said Michael. / with a report from Correspondent Jhunnex Napallacan
