Chapter 163: The News

December 1st, 2026.

The morning dawned with an air of excitement as the news of Leonardo Madrigal's recovery rippled across the globe. Reyes Pharmaceutical Company had just announced a monumental breakthrough in Alzheimer's treatment, and the media frenzy was in full swing.

Domestic and international news channels were abuzz with the story, each trying to outdo the other with more detailed reports and expert interviews.

In the Philippines, local news channels led their morning segments with flashy graphics and bold headlines proclaiming, "Philippine Business Tycoon Recovers from Alzheimer's!" Cameras rolled live from outside St. Luke's Medical Center, where reporters jostled for space, eager to catch a glimpse of Mr. Madrigal or any member of the Reyes Pharmaceutical team willing to speak.

Anchor desks were staffed with the usual suspects, but today there was an extra spark in their eyes as they introduced neurologists and pharmaceutical experts to discuss the implications of this medical victory.

"Could this be the dawn of a new era in medicine?" one anchor asked, looking at the neurologist expert sitting next to her.

"Well...Mrs. David, this could indeed be a turning point," replied Dr. Ramirez, a neurologist featured on a popular morning show. "The success seen in Mr. Madrigal's case is phenomenal, but it's just the beginning. The pill still needs to go through extensive testing and approval processes before it can be widely available."

"But it's a miracle, right? I looked it up on Google and learned that Alzheimer's disease is incurable. We are witnessing the proof that it might not be incurable anymore, right?" the anchor pressed, seeking a clearer affirmation.

Dr. Ramirez nodded, adjusting his glasses before answering. "Yes, it is quite extraordinary. Traditionally, Alzheimer's has been treated as a degenerative disease with no cure, only treatments to manage symptoms. What Reyes Pharmaceutical has achieved could potentially shift that paradigm.

But let's be clear, extensive further testing on a larger population and peer review are crucial to confirm these findings."

Across various news platforms, the sentiment echoed was one of cautious optimism mixed with genuine excitement. On social media, hashtags like #AlzheimersBreakthrough and #ReyesMiraclePill trended worldwide, with thousands of posts per minute.

"And what would you say to others who are watching this, those who might be losing hope for themselves or their loved ones?"

Leonardo paused, his expression thoughtful. "Keep hoping. What happened to me is proof that the boundaries of medicine are there to be pushed. Today, I am a testament to a scientific breakthrough that we once thought impossible. Also, I learned that Alzheimer's disease has afflicted 55 million people.

I want to help them by helping the Reyes Pharmaceutical Company spread this cure to as many as possible."

The correspondent concluded the interview with gratitude, "Thank you, Mr. Madrigal, for sharing your inspiring story with us." She then turned back to Mr. Santos who had been listening intently off-camera. "Dr. Santos, the success of this treatment must feel like a huge achievement. How does it feel seeing your company's product work as you hoped?"

"It's incredibly fulfilling. Seeing a product go from the research phase to actually impact someone's life positively is what every pharmaceutical professional hopes for. The case of Mr. Madrigal not only represents a personal victory for him and his family but also a significant professional milestone for everyone at Reyes Pharmaceutical."

The correspondent, sensing the importance of the moment, probed further. "With such a successful outcome, there must be tremendous pressure to roll this out quickly. How are you handling the expectations and the excitement from the public?"

Dr. Santos adjusted his stance slightly, acknowledging the weight of the question. "Yes, the pressure is there, but we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficacy. We're speeding up the process as much as responsibly possible. Our team is working round the clock to initiate the next phases of trials and to gather more data to ensure that what worked for Mr.

Madrigal can work for others."

"And finally, what message would you like to send to those watching and hoping for this treatment to become available to them or their loved ones?" the correspondent asked, giving Dr. Santos a platform to address a wider audience.

Dr. Santos looked directly into the camera, his expression serious yet hopeful. "To those watching, I want to say: hold on to hope. We are doing everything we can to bring this treatment to you safely and quickly. Today's success is a beacon of what could be possible, and we are just as eager as you to see this treatment succeed on a larger scale.

Stay tuned, stay hopeful, and trust that we are on the brink of something truly revolutionary."