Amid the celebrations for double gold medalist Carlos Yulo and bronze medalist boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, the remarkable journey of Filipina fencer Samantha Catantan at the Paris 2024 Olympics was quietly bolstered by the noble efforts of St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City.
Samantha Catantan, the first Filipina fencer to qualify for the Olympics, faced a significant challenge leading up to the games—a ruptured left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The injury, which could have sidelined her Olympic dreams, was treated by renowned sports medicine expert Dr. Jose Raul Canlas at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City. Dr. Canlas, a key figure in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the hospital’s Institute of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, performed the major surgery on Catantan’s knee just days before the competition.
In a gesture of immense support, St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City waived all of Catantan’s hospital bills when they learned she was an Olympian. “It’s an interesting story,” said Dr. Canlas. “When the administration found out that she’s an Olympian, all her hospital bills were waived.”
POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed his gratitude to St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City for their invaluable contribution to 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.
Catantan, 22, expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming support she received from St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City, led by CEO and President Dennis Serrano, Dr. Canlas, and the POC. “Thank you to St. Luke’s, Doc Canlas, and the POC, as well as Mayor Tolentino, for helping me,” Catantan said from her hospital bed.
Despite the injury, Catantan made history by advancing to the second round of the Olympic fencing competition, showcasing her resilience and determination. Her story is a testament to the unwavering support of St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City and the POC, which played a crucial role in her journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
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