Mang Tani's wife back in PHL after waking from coma

Gloria Cruz, the wife of erstwhile state weather forecaster Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz, is back in the Philippines and ready to return to work four months after she miraculously woke up from a two-week coma in Australia. Mrs. Cruz, who suffered a stroke while visiting her husband in Darwin, Australia, last March, is currently on-leave as human resource department head of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). "Kawawa naman kasi yung aking mga kasamahan dito sa opisina," Mrs. Cruz, who is currently in the country together with her husband, told GMA News reporter Raffy Tima in an interview aired over "24 Oras" Wednesday. "Marami kaming trabaho dito, maraming papel... kaya gusto ko nang bumalik." Mrs. Cruz, who visited the PAGASA office on Wednesday, said if possible, she wants to return to work on August 1.

Mr. Cruz, who'll be flying back to Australia later this week to continue his work there as a meteorologist, said his wife's recovery has baffled foreign doctors and medical experts. "Pagkatapos noong dalawang linggong halos wala siyang buhay.. at pagkatapos lamang ng dalawang buwan muli na siyang nakakalakad, at yung kanyang pagsasalita di naapektuhan, lalung-lalo na yung kanyang memorya," said Mr. Cruz, who left PAGASA in 2010 to work abroad. He credited the miracle to prayers. "Sa totoo lang, 24 oras lang ang ibinigay sa kanya, at pagkatapos nun gusto nang tanggalin yung life support system sa kanya dahil parang wala nang silbi yun... pero yung nga dahil sa paniniwala natin sa Panginoon hindi lamang kami kundi pati yung pagdarasal ng ating mga kasamahan, nagising si Glo pagkaraan ng dalawang linggo." The "24 Oras" report said Mr. Cruz is planning to return to the Philippines for good just to be with his wife. — KBK, GMA News