It’s a story of courage, faith, and second chances.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla revealed over the weekend that he is “living day by day” after being diagnosed with leukemia — a life-changing discovery that came just months after surviving a major heart surgery.
In June 2023, while still serving as Justice Secretary, Remulla was told he had a serious heart blockage. A week later, he underwent a quintuple bypass — an open-heart surgery that saved his life.
But just as he was beginning to recover, another challenge came his way.
“When I was healing, that’s when they found out I had cancer — leukemia, cancer of the blood,” he shared in an emotional interview with TV5.
The diagnosis led to months of grueling treatment. Remulla went through two cycles of chemotherapy, body irradiation, and eventually, a bone marrow transplant at a hospital in Bonifacio Global City.
His donor? His own child.
“When you no longer have white blood cells, they give you stem cells from a donor to help you produce new blood,” he explained.
“The blood I have now is no longer mine. It’s my child’s blood. We were a full match, and that’s why I recovered well.”
Doctors have since given him a positive prognosis, but the journey hasn’t been easy. He recalled days of dizziness, constant weakness, and nosebleeds that wouldn’t stop.
Still, Remulla chooses to focus on gratitude — and on life itself.
“Tomorrow is another day,” he said softly. “If you get through the night and wake up in the morning, that’s another gift. Just live by the day.”
Despite the challenges, the Ombudsman believes his recovery is a sign that he still has a mission to fulfill.
“Maybe I still have something to do in this world,” he reflected. “There are many challenges after treatment, but I just keep going. Tuloy-tuloy lang.”
On October 9, 2025, Remulla officially took his oath as Ombudsman before Supreme Court Justice Marvic Leonen — a new chapter for a man who has fought his way back to life, one day at a time.
