Chickoy Pura of The Jerks opens up about struggle with cancer

There is no doubt how much Chickoy Pura has dedicated his life to music.

Even at the age of 62 years old and diagnosed with cancer, Alfredo "Chickoy" Pura Jr., continues to play three to four times a week in bars, whether alone or with his band, The Jerks.

Just recently, Chickoy was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of cancer.

In a recent Brigada episode, Chickoy said he had struggled with exfoliative erithrodermatitis, a form of skin asthma for around five years, before battling it out cancer.

"'Yung balat ko nagdra-dry na siya, nag-exfoliate siya, nagbabalat. Kung minsan sobrang dry na niya nagbre-break 'yung skin kaya may mga sugat ako," Chickoy said. "Kaya preparation ko bago ako tumutugtog, 'yung mga sugat kailangan kong takpan ng mga band aid."

The musician said that there are times that the skin would actually crack, creating little wounds that caused him pain.

What was important, however, was that his fingers won't be affected.

To help him play, Chickoy bought a special pair of gloves from the United States to protect his left hand whenever he would play the guitar. The glove was even skintone so that the audience wouldn't notice it whenever he played.

But performing always made him feel good, Chickoy said. 

"Umaayos ako kapag nasa stage ako. 'Yung sakit ko na 'yun, 'yung discomfort, kailangan ko lang hilahin sarili ko sa stage kasi alam ko magbabago pakiramdam ko pagdating ko sa stage."

His journey with cancer

According to Chickoy, he only realized he had cancer after reading an article that his illness, erithrodermatitis, had a connection to T-cell lymphoma.

With chances to get T-cell lymphoma at just 4%, Chickoy was confident. "Sabi ko, it can't be me."

But when the results of his test came, it devastatingly confirmed he was positive with T-cell lymphoma.

Hematologist Flordeluna Mesina said, "T-cell lymphoma ay isang type ng cancer dahil sa pagdami ng abnormal na T-cells. Usually ang T-cells ay mga proteksyon natin 'yan against viral infection pero minsan naco-convert sila into cancerous cells."

Chickoy said that getting his results felt unreal. He kept joking around about it but soon, it started to settle in.

"'Yung mga sumunod na araw nagsimula na ako maging malungkot kasi panibagong struggle on my part. Iniisip ko kung paano ko matutuloy ginagawa ko," the musician said.

Chickoy soon shared on Facebook his illness and as soon as the news spread, help started to pour in.

Chickoy, the legend

Chickoy and his OPM rock band The Jerks was well-known in the '70s since they boldlessly sang about the issues of society, thereby not only waking up the people but also pushing them into action.

With songs like "Reklamo ng Reklamo", they've changed the OPM rock scene and at the same time influence numerous people.

Despite not entering the mainstream media, The Jerks have continuously played music for over four decades already.

Musicians from all over the country have testified of how much Chickoy has influenced their life, and even pushing them into joining the music industry themselves.

Musician Ebe Dancel said, "Inspirasyon siya sa 'min. Buhay siya lagi sa mga kantang sinusulat namin. Every time na tumutugtog kami kasi napanood na namin si Chickoy so parang alam ko na kung ano gusto kong gawin on stage."

After finding out about his illness, friends and colleagues from the music industry began throwing benefit concerts to help Chickoy out.

In one of the most recent and largest benefit concert called "Shine for Chickoy", multiple artists and musicians played such as Raimund Marasigan, former Eraserhead member and Sandwich frontman, who considers Chickoy a mentor and friend.

Even well-renowned wedding filmmaker Jason Magbanua offered his services and volunteered to document the entire event as a way to help out.

Dean Roland Tolentino of the University of the Philippines and the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, the benefit concert is also a protest to the musicians and artists' lack of medical benefits.

"'Yung ganitong lagay ng mga silang humubog ng musika natin ng, sining natin, sila naman ang nakakalimutan na matulungan ng gobyerno natin," he said.

For Chickoy, however, he didn't know what to call of himself.
"Paano ko tatawagin sarili ko? Lucky ba o unlucky? Lucky dahil ang dami kong kaibigan o unlucky dahil may sakit akong cancer?" he said.

However, at the end of the day, Chickoy has counted his sickness as a blessing.

The legendary musician said, "I can count it as a blessing 'yung sakit ko. Otherwise, I have no way of knowing na ganito karami nag-aalala sakin." — Kaela Malig/LA, GMA News