By: Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario – PNA
DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES — The hopeful recovery of plantation magnate and philanthropist Dylan Crentsworthhas reportedly taken a worrying turn this week, as medical sources from the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) revealed signs of renewed physical strain and “unstable vitals” following a series of discreet meetings held in his hospital suite with high-ranking government officials.
Once hailed as a symbol of resilience after collapsing in court during his tax hearing in August, Crentsworth’s condition, according to insiders has “declined notably” over the last seventy-two hours. Though the hospital has yet to issue an official statement, whispers within its corridors speak of mounting concern among doctors and nurses who fear that the philanthropist’s recent activities may be endangering his fragile recovery.
A Setback After Hope
Crentsworth, who had been steadily regaining mobility and strength in recent weeks, reportedly began showing signs of fatigue, recurring dizziness, and respiratory discomfort this week. Hospital staff privately describe “alarming fluctuations” in his heart rate during and after recent closed-door meetings.
“He’s been pushing himself too much,” said a senior nurse familiar with his case. “We advised rest after his physiotherapy sessions, but the visitors kept coming; official vehicles, late-night arrivals, even early morning discussions. You can see it’s taking a toll on him.”
Doctors, while maintaining professional discretion, have expressed similar unease. One attending physician, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the pattern as “a classic case of overexertion in a patient who should still be under strict monitoring.”
“He was stable for days; walking, eating, even smiling,” the doctor explained. “Then the meetings began again. His blood pressure spiked twice this week. We’re not saying the visitors are the cause, but the timing is hard to ignore.”
The Meetings That Won’t Stop
According to hospital sources, the quiet but persistent visits have continued from officials associated with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the same agencies linked to earlier undisclosed discussions with Crentsworth two weeks ago.
The nature of these meetings remains unknown, but observers suggest that the timing, amid an ongoing tax case and a fragile health state, raises pressing ethical and humanitarian questions.
A senior government aide, when asked for comment, denied that the visits were “political or coercive,” claiming they were “informal courtesy visits and consultations regarding ongoing community programs supported by Mr. Crentsworth’s foundation.”
However, hospital insiders and even some visitors to SPMC have begun to question whether the constant stream of activity in his suite is jeopardizing his already weakened condition.
“He’s not a public officeholder,” said Lydia Ramos, a hospital volunteer. “He’s a patient who nearly died in August. If these talks are about business or politics, they should let the man recover first.”
Inside the Hospital: Tension and Concern
Within SPMC’s restricted west wing, the mood has grown noticeably tense. Nurses, once jubilant at his earlier recovery, now walk the halls with visible apprehension. One nurse described hearing medical alarms during a particularly long meeting late Monday evening, prompting an emergency call to the cardiology unit.
“He tried to stand when they arrived,” she recalled softly. “He didn’t want to show weakness. But his breathing was shallow, and his hands trembled. The room went silent.”
Hospital staff now reportedly take turns ensuring that visitors do not overstay, though senior aides accompanying the officials often insist the discussions are “urgent.”
Doctors fear that continued stress, emotional or otherwise, could cause a relapse similar to his August collapse, when he was rushed unconscious from the courtroom floor to the emergency ward.
Public Reaction: Sympathy, Anger, and Speculation
Outside SPMC, news of Crentsworth’s deteriorating condition has spread rapidly across Davao and Mindanao, igniting a wave of sympathy and anger.
On social media, the hashtag #LetHimRest began trending late Tuesday night, with citizens expressing outrage that meetings are still being conducted while he remains in recovery.
“He’s done more for this country’s farmers than most officials ever will,” one user wrote on Facebook. “If they truly respected him, they’d leave him in peace.”
Others remain skeptical, suggesting that the visits might relate to a strategic settlement or alignment linked to his tax case. Political analysts note that the agencies involved; Labor, Water Resources, and Environment, are all connected to his previous philanthropic and corporate interests.
“It may be that these meetings are not about his case directly,” explained political commentator Dr. Erwin Toledo. “They could be part of a broader negotiation, perhaps a handover, partnership, or continuity plan for his projects in case his health fails. Still, the optics are deeply troubling.”
Between Humanity and Politics
Those closest to Crentsworth’s foundation insist that he remains mentally sharp and deeply concerned with his community work, even from his hospital bed. One aide stated that he has been reviewing proposals related to reforestation and irrigation initiatives in Compostela Valley, insisting on approving them personally.
“He refuses to be idle,” said the aide. “He keeps saying, ‘The work must go on, even if I cannot stand.’”
But to many of those caring for him, that same devotion is what frightens them most.
“He has a generous heart, but it’s also a stubborn one,” remarked Nurse Arlene Gador, who has tended to him since September. “We all admire him, but he forgets he’s human. If he doesn’t slow down, we might lose him.”
The Nation Watches in Uneasy Silence
As of Wednesday morning, SPMC has not issued any official health bulletin, though security presence around the hospital has noticeably increased. Several journalists attempting to access the hospital grounds were politely turned away by guards citing “private medical restrictions.”
Crentsworth’s lawyers, meanwhile, have declined comment, saying only that their client “remains under medical observation and appreciates the public’s prayers.”
For now, the once-hopeful image of the philanthropist walking down the hospital corridor has been replaced by a more fragile scene; one of quiet rooms, lowered voices, and prayers whispered under fluorescent lights.
An Uncertain Tomorrow
Whether the meetings are strategic or philanthropic, one truth remains undeniable: the man who once embodied strength and generosity now stands at the crossroads of survival and sacrifice.
In the words of Dr. Mendoza, his attending physician,
“He is a man whose life has been defined by giving. But sometimes, even the strongest hearts need permission to rest.”
Across the Philippines, that sentiment echoes, tinged with both admiration and fear, as the nation watches and waits, hoping that this time, the price of duty does not become the loss of a life that has already given so much.