Ferdinand Pérez: Puerto Rican Host Announces Cancer-Free Status & Return to TV

Ferdinand Pérez, the prominent Puerto Rican television host and producer, announced today he is cancer-free after a 96-day treatment at a hospital in the United States. Pérez revealed his positive prognosis and plans to return to his role as host of the TeleOnce program “Jugando Pelota Dura” on Monday.

Pérez underwent what was described as aggressive treatment for a malignant tumor. The announcement, made late Thursday evening, signaled a turning point in his health journey. “Tengo un enfoque muy distinto de cómo quiero disfrutar la vida,” Pérez stated, according to El Nuevo Día, expressing a renewed perspective on life.

“Jugando Pelota Dura,” which translates to “Playing Hard Ball,” premiered in 2010 on NCN Television before moving to Sistema TV in 2012. Following the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017, the show transitioned to Univision Puerto Rico, and subsequently to TeleOnce in 2021 when WMTJ was unable to continue broadcasting, according to information from Wikipedia.

The program, created and hosted by Pérez, is known for its coverage of political issues and current events in Puerto Rico, featuring discussions with analysts and political figures. It shares its name with Pérez’s radio show, “Pelota Dura,” which airs on WUNO. Pérez also produces “Locos Con Los Autos TV” and “La Gran Feria de Autos,” as noted on his Facebook page.

Pérez’s return to “Jugando Pelota Dura” is scheduled for Monday, marking his physical reappearance on the program. He previously served two terms as a legislator for the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) and unsuccessfully ran for mayor of San Juan before launching the show on WMTJ.