Amid the celebrations for Carlos Yulo’s double gold medals and the bronze victories of boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, one crucial contribution went largely unnoticed. St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City played a vital role in supporting Team Philippines, particularly fencer Samantha Catantan, who suffered a ruptured left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Renowned sports medicine expert Dr. Jose Raul Canlas, a key figure in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and director of the hospital’s Institute of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, performed the major surgery on Catantan’s knee last Friday.
Remarkably, the entire procedure was done free of charge.
“It’s an interesting story,” shared Dr. Canlas, who is also a member of the FIBA medical committee. “I did the major surgery on Sam’s knees, and when the administration of St. Luke’s found out that she’s an Olympian, all her hospital bills were waived.”
POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed his deep gratitude to St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City for its noble support of Philippine sports.
“Sam, just like the rest of our athletes, is a national treasure, regardless of whether she medaled in her Olympic debut or not in Paris,” Tolentino said. He also extended his thanks to Dr. Canlas for his invaluable assistance to the Olympian.
Catantan, 22, who became the first Filipina fencer to qualify for the Olympics, expressed her appreciation from her hospital bed, where she was visited frequently by her longtime coach, Amatov Canlas.
“Thank you to St. Luke’s, Doc Canlas, and the POC, [Tagaytay City] Mayor Tolentino for helping me,” she said.
Tolentino emphasized the importance of such contributions to the well-being of Filipino athletes.
“The POC and Filipino athletes are very thankful to St. Luke’s and Doc Canlas for showing their generous side when our athletes need it most,” he noted. “This is very beneficial to our Olympians. Free medical fees and other charges.”
Despite her injury, Catantan made history for Philippine fencing by advancing past the round-of-64 and into the second round in Paris, showcasing her determination and skill even under challenging circumstances.
