Noli de Castro now ‘OK’ after undergoing ‘surgery’

Former Vice President and TV Patrol anchor Noli de Castro appeared to have undergone a surgery due to an undisclosed illness Sunday morning, but is now “okay,” according to his daughter, Philippine Information Agency director-general Katherine “Kat” de Castro.

In a now-deleted Facebook post, Kat, herself a former journalist at ABS-CBN before trying her hand in public service, asked for prayers for her father, who is also popularly known as “Kabayan.”

After a few hours, she posted an update to say that her father is now doing fine. In the comments, she said that her father underwent a “surgery”.

Kat, however, did not cite any other details, but her post gave rise to concerns about the health of the broadcast veteran, who had been a subject of several malicious death rumors.

In 2021, the younger de Castro took to social media to debunk posts alleging that her father supposedly slipped, became comatose and had eventually died. The death hoax posts even used the name of former TV Patrol anchor Ted Failon as the one who supposedly reported it, eliciting concern from his supporters and fans. This came after he announced his senate candidacy in the 2022 elections, which he later on withdrew.

De Castro addressed the false reports at a congressional hearing in April, adding that while he has gotten used to death rumors, it’s his family that is the first to become affected by such.

“Sabi nga ho nila, kapag nabalita na patay na kayo, ay mas hahaba pa ang buhay nyo. But sabi ho naming mga personalities, bad news or good news ay publicity pa rin po. Kaya pag may ganyan ay paguusapan pa rin kayo. Pero may mga news naman na medyo masakit na, lalo kung affected ang ating bansa. Pero kung ako lang, okay lang yon. Pero pag affected na ang bansa, iba na ‘yon,” he said.

Still, De Castro’s health has faced several health issues in the past. During the pandemic, he took a long absence from TV Patrol to quarantine after one makeup artist tested positive for Covid.

Early this year, De Castro was absent on his TV and radio program for several weeks. Kat reported that her father suffered from complications due to his sciatica.

De Castro, who celebrated his 76th birthday last July 6, is the country’s 12th vice president from 2004 to 2010, under the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. /edv