'SALAMAT, KAIBIGAN’

Jason Abalos pays tribute to friend Dr. Leandro Resurreccion III who succumbed to COVID-19

Jason Abalos was deeply affected by the passing of noted pediatric transplant surgeon Dr. Leandro Resurreccion III, who succumbed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Tuesday.

On his Instagram, the Kapuso actor penned a long, heartfelt tribute to the noted doctor, who was his good friend and neighbor. Jason and Dr. Resurreccion shared the same passion for motorcycles.

“Kwento ko lang, si doc Jun. Dr Leandro Resurreccion III. Isang mahusay na Pediatric Surgeon. Kapitbahay ko, pero nagkakilala kami dahil parehas kami ng motor, dahil parehas kami ng motor, kung anong meron siya parang meron na din ako, parehas kami ng binibili para sa bisyo namin, lagi kaming nagtatanungan kung kailangan ba to o hindi,” Jason wrote. 

Sharing photos from their bike days, the actor recalled that Dr. Resurreccion always had a smile on his face.

“Si doc laging nakangiti kahit sobrang init minsan ng suot niya na jacket tapos pag nagtanggal ng helmet parang Tom cruise na ang buhok tapos nakngiti pa din. Lagi lang siya nakanigiti. Masaya siya na naka motor lagi papunta sa mga hospital na pinapasukan nya kasi sabi nya nag-eenjoy daw siya, tipid na sa gas, walang traffic hindi pa mahirap sa parking,” Jason wrote.

Dr. Resurreccion, the Head of Pediatric Surgery Division of Philippine Children's Medical Center, passed away due to complications of COVID-19 on Tuesday morning, March 31.

According to a private hospitals group, 12 doctors have died due to COVID-19 as of Sunday.

Abalos implored public servants and those at home to think of the health workers and other front liners who risk their lives every day to just contain the virus.?

“Walang sinisino ang COVID-19. Ang hiling lang ng mga frontliners eh mag-stay sa bahay para hindi na kumalat ang virus. 'Yan lang ang maitutulong natin sa kanila, buhay ang binubiwis nila para sa atin. Tulungan natin sila," he wrote.

“Ngayon naman po sa ating gobyerno na parang mas naasahan pa ang mga pribadong sektor, kayo po na nakaupo, mas may kakayanan po kayo na tumulong bukod po sa yan ang trabaho nyo ang protektahan ang ating mamayanan. Nawawalan po tayo ng pamilya na kagaya ni Doc Jun,” he added.

The disease has claimed the lives of 88 people people as of Tuesday, while a total of 2,084 people have tested positive. — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News?