John Regala gets help from food delivery driver after suffering headache

MANILA, Philippines — As he was about to pick up his order, food delivery driver Carlo Marti Clariza did not expect that he would extend a helping hand to actor John Regala.

https://www.facebook.com/carl.cyruz.7/posts/3008706175845557

During their interaction, however, the delivery driver noticed that the actor, known for his portrayal of villains in films and TV shows, looked rather sickly — a far image from his usual healthy self.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Clariza said that he spotted Regala in Barangay 183 in Pasay City. The actor then asked for his help as he was suffering from a headache.

“Siya po si Mister John Regala, ang sikat na kontra bida. [H]umingi nang tulong po sa aken kase nahihilo po siya may hinahanap siya na nurse,” Clariza said in his post.

[He is Mister John Regala, the famous antagonist. He’s asking for help as he’s suffering from a headache, he was looking for a  nurse.]

“Ang kaso di ko po siya maintindihan kase po medyo utal na po magsalita dahil nahihilo po siya,” Clariza added. “[K]aya humingi siya nang tulong saken at agad naman po akong lumapit sa mga tanod at pulis na para matulungan.”

[But I can’t understand him because he’s stuttering. That’s why he asked for my help and I quickly asked the barangay guards and police to help him.]

Clariza said that despite he had to deliver something, he thought it best to stay with Regala until someone helped him out.

Regala, in an interview over DZRH on Tuesday, disclosed that he was suffering from liver cirrhosis.

“Medyo malala na ang aking liver cirrhosis pero hindi naman ako nainom ng alak ever since. Di ko alam baka sa fatty foods ko nakuha siguro,” the actor said.

[My liver cirrhosis is already severe. I have never drunk alcohol ever since. Maybe I got it from eating fatty foods.]

“Tapos bukod dun, may tubig nga ako sa tyan, kailangan butasin ang aking tyan para mailabas yung tubig,” Regala added.

[Aside from that, I have water in my stomach. So my stomach needs to be operated on so the water will be released.)

“At isa pa, yung aking sikmura ay may mga varicose [veins] na. pag pumutok yun, ako ay sumusuka ng dugo. Sinusuka ko yung mga kinakain ko.”

[And another thing, my throat has varicose veins. If it pops, I vomit blood. I also vomit what I eat.]

According to Regala, he is now alone with no contact with his relatives.

“Wala na rin akong mga kamag-anak. magmula nung mamatay yung nanay, tinakwil na rin ako ng mga kamag-anak ko,” he said.

[I don’t have any relatives since my mother died. They have since abandoned me.]

Regala’s mother, former actress Ruby Regala, died in January, according to a report by the Philippine Entertainment Portal.

The actor added is also being cared for by a “leader” of the Iglesia ni Cristo, who he did not name.

Asked if he received help from his fellow actors, he mentioned former President Joseph Estrada and Rez Cortez.

And if there is one thing he is praying for, Regala said, he wishes to go back to work.

“Di ako sanay na nanghihingi. Sanay akong tumulong. Eh ngayon, gusto kong mag-hanapbuhay,” a tearful Regala said.

[I’m not used to asking for help. I’m used to helping. Now, I want to go back to work.]

/atm