By Waylon Galvez
San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo is taking full advantage of the current lockdown to strengthen his surgically-repaired right leg.
San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo accepts his sixth straight MVP award on a 'mobility scooter' from the PBA board last March 8. (MB File Photo)
Fajardo fractured his right shin during team practice last March 3, and had operation the following day.
He was on a mobility scooter when he received his sixth consecutive MVP award on March 8, and only recently was the cast on his leg removed.
“Nakakalakad na ako ng walang saklay, pero dahan-dahan lang. Since bahay lang, dito lang ako sa loob,” said Fajardo, who stays in his condominium unit in Pasig City.
Fajardo said he was supposed to have therapy sessions in a rehabilitation center, but since almost all establishments are closed because of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, he was given several exercises instead to build up his quads, calf muscles, gluts and hamstring.
“Kapag naman nage-exercise ako nakaupo lang, hindi pa naman kasi masyado mabibigat yung mga puwede kong gawin kasi hindi pwede puwersahin,” Fajardo said in a phone interview with The Manila Bulletin.
June Mar Fajardo (PBA Images)
Fajardo said he also spends time watching movies, or playing online games with Gilas Pilipinas teammates Marc Pingris and Japeth Aguilar.
His parents, Bonifacio and Marites, are in their hometown in Cebu, having flown back after the PBA Leo Awards last March 8. Fajardo communicates with them almost every day via video chat.
“Ok naman sila… safe naman sila sa Cebu,” he said.
Fajardo’s parents – Marites and Bonifacio – were present during the PBA Leo Awards when he received his sixth MVP trophy, but returned to Cebu a few days later.
Food and other things he needs, according to Fajardo, is not a problem this lockdown period, since his parents bought plenty of stocks before they left.
“Kasi nga injured ako, lahat na ng pagkain at mga kailangan ko binili na nila. Wala pang lockdown ang dami ko ng pagkain, kaya nung nag-ECQ, sakto may pagkain na kami dito,” said Fajardo, who has his college buddy Charles Abais accompany him in his condo.
“Kung may kailangan naman kami, may store sa baba (of the condo) so hindi na masyadong lalayo.”
San Miguel Beer's June Mar Fajardo, with his parents Marites and Bonifacio, during the 44th PBA Leo Awards. (PBA Images)
Like many Filipinos, Fajardo said his prayer is for the health crisis to be over, considering that millions of lives are affected, and that everything returns to normal, including the PBA games, which he misses.
“Siyempre nakakalungkot kung iisipin kasi di na natin nagagawa yung mga normal na bagay dahil sa COVID-19, dahil sa lockdown na kailangan naman para hindi na ito kumalat,” he said.
“Tignan na lang natin on a positive side, marami sa atin kasama ang family, so nakaka-spend tayo ng time with them. Huwag na lang tignan sa negative. Siguro naman malalampasan natin ito.”