Arzen Rose Dulzura

Anthony Pangilinan completes first race after open heart surgery: ‘I was so scared to run’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>It was in November last year when Donny Pangilinan’s father, Anthony Pangilinan first shared on social media about his medical journey as he underwent heart surgery after experiencing shortness of breath. His open heart surgery was done at the Philippine Heart Center. Apart from undergoing other post-surgery protocols, Anthony also had to go through regular and physical rehabilitation sessions on his road to recovery.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752286715093SnapInsta.to_517965638_18518359846029946_3532645584838556741_n.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo credit: @anthonypangilinan Instagram<br/></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752286731498SnapInsta.to_516553026_18518359858029946_9094830470415330899_n.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo credit: @anthonypangilinan Instagram</span></span></span></div><p>Last July 9, the 60-year-old media practitioner and speaker shared his return to running after joining the Run Just One event held last July 6 at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite which was organized by his daughter Hannah Pangilinan . In his Instagram post, Anthony wrote, “And last Sunday, was a &#x27;re-start&#x27; for me.</p><p>“Leap, and the net will appear.” - John Burroughs </p><p>&quot;I was so scared to run. My first official &#x27;race&#x27; since heart surgery last September and Catheter Ablation in December. While not conclusive, my heart ailment wasnt congenital nor due to intense physical activity; it was most likely because of a viral attack. We hear so much of this these past couple of years. But just about two weeks ago, I was cleared to run. My heart &#x27;ejection fraction&#x27; (like &#x27;pumping capacity&#x27;) was up to 45% - from 15% in December! - and was clearly on its way up to normalcy (50-70%).”</p><p>Despite having undergone a major surgery in November last year, Anthony said he needed to get the confidence and assurance from his doctor and his family to help him complete the race. </p><p>He added, “Still, with &#x27;clearance&#x27; I had my doubts! Its been less than a year since I could barely walk again, I’d be alongside people I raced with through the years, I was constantly being reminded to “take it easy,” and it was a route I never had run before. Puyat pa, as I had driven back 6 hours from a speaking engagement in Gumaca, Quezon the night before.</p><p>&quot;But...</p><p>&quot;...my doctor said OK. “Sometimes it’s not about what you feel, but what your doctor knows.” - Unknown</p><p>&quot;…every one of my family members, Team Pangilinan, registered to run! “The steps ran together are memories forever.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752286539177SnapInsta.to_517577118_18518359321029946_1471792029575327068_n.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo credit: @anthonypangilinan Instagram</span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752286582451SnapInsta.to_517044004_18518359333029946_3570399838283666814_n (1).jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo credit: @anthonypangilinan Instagram<br/></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752286631053SnapInsta.to_517692741_18518359429029946_6136337168522999870_n.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo credit: @anthonypangilinan Instagram<br/></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752286651754SnapInsta.to_515769128_18518359585029946_2795173958165559500_n.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo credit: @anthonypangilinan Instagram<br/></span></span></span></div><p>&quot;...Ella committed to take care of me, and said &#x27;Just run alongside me, Dad, let’s not push it!&#x27; So, here’s a girl I taught how to walk; now she’s showing me how to run!</p><p>&quot;...I did log in a number of preparatory runs the past weeks and while I felt way below my marathon-level capacity, I knew I had it in me to complete this distance. &#x27;Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.&#x27; - J.K. Rowling</p><p>&quot;…You just know it when a path is laid out for you, and the only way out is the way through. &#x27;Keep walking through the storm. Your rainbow is waiting on the other side.&#x27; - Heather Stillufs</p><p>&quot;Congratulations once again to you dear @hannahpangilinan with teams @runjustone @tbrdream @mediaworks.apg! I may have completed the world marathon majors, but those are just 6 stars; last Sunday you lit up the universe with almost 2,800 stars. That’s an incredible way to truly shine!</p><p>&quot;Glory is His. 🙏🏼”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2XRlpJ6l2/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A931877.6000000238%2C%22ls%22%3A33280.700000047684%2C%22le%22%3A33297.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="842" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2024/10/18/anthony-pangilinan-shares-journey-to-new-heart-recovery-1023"><strong><u>READ: Anthony Pangilinan shares journey to ‘new’ heart recovery</u></strong></a></div><p>In another post, Anthony shared his optimistic view in life despite going through a major health scare in the previous year. He wrote, I’ve embraced this thought all my life.</p><p>&quot;At 60, I’m still not sure I’m ready to let go of this conviction.</p><p>&quot;The path may look different but the passion remains the same.</p><p>&quot;&#x27;I trained 4 years to run 9 seconds. Some people don’t see results in 2 months and give up.&#x27; - Usain Bolt”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL4mP9Vz_Lh/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A898680.2000000477%2C%22ls%22%3A33280.700000047684%2C%22le%22%3A33297.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="695" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Anthony’s wife of 31 years, Maricel Laxa, also shared her thoughts from the event on her own Instagram account. The actress revealed how their entire family got influenced into running by their patriarch.</p><p>She wrote, “History repeats itself — and it all started with Just One Dream. When my husband Anthony decided to join triathlons and run marathons around 17 years ago, we tagged along. Eventually, the kids joined in too, and I became the last convert — after first serving as the official documenter of our adventures. It’s been many years of tagging along, making memories, and going through the joys and challenges of preparing, racing, and recovering together as Team Pangilinan. We even had a motto: We Tri(athlon) Together.”</p><p>In the same post, Maricel shared her own running journey and how proud she is of what they have all accomplished while running through the years.</p><p>“I ran my very first marathon at @tbrdream at the age of 42. It’s founder- Jaymie (@thebullrunner ) gave me bib number 42, so it became my 42K at 42. Since then, I’ve completed seven marathons — each one meaningful in its own way. One run that stands out as especially sweet was last Sunday’s 10K at the @runjustone fun run — which was also a reunion for the TBR alumni. It was a special day where two forces came together to give us a truly memorable &#x27;run for our money.&#x27;</p><p>&quot;While I was out on the course, I couldn’t help but be in awe. Anthony and I still run — but now, our daughter @hannahpangilinan not only runs with us… she’s begun mounting and organizing our (fun) runs. I was humbled and speechless. Because truly — we never know how the seeds we plant in our children will grow. And when we get a glimpse of the fruit they bear… it can blow our minds. What started as just one dream is now sparking new ones in others. That, to me, is a revolution. 🙏”</p>

<p>Donny Pangilinan’s father Anthony Pangilinan shares his thoughts on taking up running once again after going through a major health scare last year.</p>

Donny Pangilinan’s father Anthony Pangilinan shares his thoughts on taking up running once again after going through a major health scare last year.