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Monday, January 15, 2007
Stomach pains down 95 performers
By Linette C. Ramos
With Minerva B. Gerodias
CEBU CITY -- Hours before their presentation before Asean leaders, 95 performers from Cebu and Manila were rushed to four hospitals early morning Sunday after suffering from abdominal pains.
Health officials said they were all diagnosed with gastroenteritis, but could not tell yet if it was because of the food or the water the performers had while rehearsing last Saturday.
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They were rushed to the hospital as early as 5 a.m. after they suffered severe stomach pains. Others developed a fever after they got dehydrated.
As of 5 p.m. Sunday, only six remained at the hospital, but they were also scheduled for release that night.
No foreign delegate to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit was affected, nor served the same food by a private catering service during the rehearsal for the gala night at the Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort and Spa.
"We're not sure yet if it's food poisoning because we're still running some tests. Initially, the diagnosis is acute gastroenteritis, but we still have to find out for sure what caused it," said Department of Health (DOH) Regional Director Susana Madarieta.
She said the DOH Asean Task Force suspects poor food preparation, handling, and distribution as one possible cause, but more tests on the food samples have to be done before they can conclude anything.
"What we're sure of is it's gastroenteritis. They (performers) are well now and there is no critical case. Everything is now under control and they are now ready to perform," Madarieta told Sun.Star Cebu Sunday afternoon.
The musicians, dancers and fashion models still managed to perform their numbers during the gala dinner President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hosted for the Asean and other East Asian leaders at Shangri-la Sunday night.
Sharon Samarista, Shangri-la's communications director, clarified that a private caterer that the Asean national organizing committee (NOC) commissioned, not the hotel, prepared the food.
Among the performers brought to the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH) in Cebu City were members of the Manila-based Bayanihan Dance Troupe and the Ramon Obusan Dance Troupe, and international singer Leah Salonga's musician brother Gerard.
They, however, left the hospital past 3 p.m. Sunday.
Reports that celebrities Melanie Marquez and Gemma Cruz-Araneta were among those affected could not be verified yet.
"It was terrible. We felt sick, but we have to go on with the show tonight," said one of the models interviewed at the hospital.
The first case was reported to the DOH task force operation center at 5 a.m. Sunday.
At PSH, one University of San Carlos dance troupe member said she and fellow performers who were also brought to the hospital had grilled squid and beef last Saturday.
Other performers were rushed to Cebu Doctors' University Hospital, Chong Hua Hospital and Mactan Doctors' Hospital.
Ronda Javier, Majestic Catering Service manager, assured that they will cooperate with the NOC and the DOH in the investigation.
"It's a first time for us," she said.
DOH personnel were at the Majestic restaurant Sunday for the initial investigation. The menu for the buffet lunch and dinner was prepared on the same day they were served, Javier said.
Majestic served lechon, grilled squid, danggit, crab soup and banana fritters to some 300 performers for lunch; and spring rolls, beef szechuan, chicken mushroom soup and fresh fruits for dinner.
Asean summit spokesman Victoriano Lecaros Jr. assured the NOC will shoulder all the hospital expenses.
Asked if they are taking any action against Majestic, Lecaros did not give a categorical answer.
"The most important thing now is that they are safe and second, they are able to do what they came here to do and they are all given clearance to do that," he said.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque instructed the DOH task force to be on alert for any relapse. After the incident, doctors and ambulances were on standby at the gala dinner venue. (Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (January 15, 2007 issue)
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