Sonny Osmeña: I am very much alive

ALIVE AND KICKING. John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña called a press conference on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, to address rumors of his death. The octogenarian says he was not surprised people would think he was dead since many people his age are. (SUNSTAR FOTO / KATE DENOLANG)
ALIVE AND KICKING. John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña called a press conference on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, to address rumors of his death. The octogenarian says he was not surprised people would think he was dead since many people his age are. (SUNSTAR FOTO / KATE DENOLANG)

FORMER senator and Toledo City mayor John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña is not dead.

“Buhi pa tawn ko, oy (I’m very much alive),” the 83-year-old said during a press conference Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019.

Osmeña laughed when asked about the rumors, saying he first heard about these while they were gathered in the cemetery during All Saints’ Day on Friday, Nov. 1.

He said his ex-wife called his sister to ask if he was still alive.

Osmeña said he was seated next to his sister when she received the call.

“We tracked it down and it comes down to somebody I know... I will not name the person,” Osmeña said.

The source of the rumor told Osmeña that his death was on the news. So Osmeña told him to inform whoever reported the news that they were wrong.

He brushed aside the idea of the rumors being politically motivated, saying these were merely gossip.

The octogenarian said he was not surprised that people would think he had died since many of his colleagues who are the same age are dead.

During the press conference, Osmeña revealed that he was diagnosed with stage two cancer in July 2019 and that he had undergone six chemotherapy sessions.

“Apparently, it is a new drug because I didn’t lose my hair. I didn’t get thin and I even gained more pounds. I sleep well... I am pretty sure that I will overcome this,” he said.

However, Osmeña did not say what type of cancer he had.

Despite the diagnosis, Osmeña said he continues to do his routine and eat what he wants.

“My dialysis is only once every 21 days. So normally, I wake up at five in the morning. I watch CNN and then I shower at 7 a.m., then have breakfast, then go to my house in Toledo. We have meetings and I still engage in what I am interested in,” he said, adding that he even calls people at night.

Osmeña said his condition is not stopping him from serving the public, albeit he will do so in a private capacity.

He said he is currently preoccupied with a housing project in Toledo City. He is also establishing a waste landfill.

“My own money, my own land, nothing from the government. When that is finished, I will accept waste from Cebu City, Mandaue, Naga, Minglanilla and Toledo,” he said.

Osmeña said he will pursue his water extraction program to provide for the needs of residents in Toledo City. Any excess water will be brought to Cebu City to address the water shortage there, he said.

Osmeña said he is acting on his own initiatives.

Although he is no longer in public office, politics continues to interest him. However, he’s more keen on international politics these days, he said.

“I’m bored. I’m bored with Philippine politics,” he said.

Before the press conference ended, Osmeña said he will continue to be active and involved as a private citizen, who is very much alive.

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