PAROKYA ni Edgar guitarist Gab Chee Kee has been hospitalized and is now in intensive care as he battles a lymphoma-induced pneumonia, band vocalist Chito Miranda said on Wednesday, Jan. 18.
In his Facebook post, Chito said Gab, 46, was diagnosed with lymphoma late last year and has been quietly undergoing chemotherapy for the past few months. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s germ-fighting network, according to Mayo Clinic.
“Despite his situation, he was relatively doing ok, and thought it would be best not to let everyone know what he was going through, because he didn’t want anyone worrying about him,” said Chito. “So he continued playing with Parokya.”
“But soon after, he was advised by his doctor not to play gigs muna para makapag-pahinga.”
Unfortunately, Gab is now battling pneumonia due to complications brought about by his condition. According to Chito, he was recently transferred to the ICU and has been intubated for more than a week already.
“Gab needs to undergo treatment, and won’t be able to play until he makes a full recovery,” he said.
According to the frontman, while Gab was financially ready for his chemotherapy, his family is now seeking financial help to pay for his mounting hospital bills.
“Initially, ayaw pa rin sana ni Gab ipaalam sa lahat kasi ayaw nya talaga makaabala sa iba… but because of the situation, his partner, Kha, and his brother, Raoul, convinced Gab to allow us to inform everyone, because it would be easier for everyone to ask for assistance if the people who loved him knew what was really going on,” said Chito.
“Ebe Dancel (isa sa mga pinakamalapit kay Gab), also asked Gab not to deny the people who cared for him, the opportunity to help him out. ‘Sa dami ng tinulungan mo, hayaan mo naman kami tulungan ka, please.’ And that convinced Gab to finally allow us to reach out and share his condition and his situation,” he added.
Chito said Parokya ni Edgar and their friends from the music scene will be doing a series of fundraising gigs for Gab, “most of which won’t even be announced as fundraisers — tahimik lang sila na tutulong.”
“Matinding laban ‘to for Gab… at reresbakan natin siya,” continued Chito, who earlier described Gab as the “heart of the band.”
“Walang iwanan sa Parokya Band… sa Parokya ni Edgar.”
Parokya ni Edgar has been around since 1993. They are best known for their hits “Gitara,” “Halaga,” “Buloy,” “Harana,” “Bagsakan,” just to name a very few. (PUSH)
