Alex Gonzaga, fiancé, parents contracted COVID-19
TV host-actress Alex Gonzaga opens up about her recent COVID-19 ordeal in her recent YouTube vlog.
In a 24-minute video, Alex related her experience of having mild symptoms and undergoing self-quarantine at home for two weeks.
She began her video by addressing why she has been inactive at work for two weeks, "Marami nagtatanong sa akin kung bakit hindi ako nagpapakita sa show for two weeks.
"It's because nagka-COVID po ako, and thank God ako ay naka-survive.
"Actually, ang buong family, nagkaroon po ng outbreak dito sa aming bahay."
"I've been sharing all the highs of my life. It's really nice if I could share with you the lows.
"I really have to pause my life, sorry for the term, recklessness.
"Naiyak ako and naisip ko, why not I share this journey with you so you can learn from our mistakes and to give you hope na puwede kayong gumaling.
Alex then narrated how the coronavirus got into their family.
"May kasamahan kami rito, na nag-craving. Nakuha namin siya mula sa pagkain sa labas.
"Nagyaya siya, nawala siya ng ilang hours. 'Pag balik niya, siguro doon niya nakuha 'yung COVID."
She said her mom, Pinty Gonzaga, was the first one in their family who caught the virus.
Fortunately her mom was asymptomatic, "But she was very asymptomatic, thank God wala siyang naramdaman, is my mom."
Both of Alex's parents were classified as positive asymptomatic while Alex and her fiancé, Mikee Morada, who had also caught the virus, displayed mild symptoms.
One of their house helpers caught the virus as well.
During Alex's time in isolation, she became pensive and thought about all her plans that were put on hold--from her wedding to a new project she was working on.
"Tina-try ko kausapin ngayon si Lord. Sobrang nasira lahat ng plans ko ngayong October.
"Gusto ko ikasal ngayon, kasama 'yung family, konting friends.
She added, "We're still blessed na hindi naman ganoon kalala 'yung nangyari.
Alex reminded everyone to stay alert, "Once ka lang magtanggal ng mask, once ka lang magpabaya, ang dami mong puwedeng maapektuhan. So take a lot of rest, fluids, vitamin C, zinc."
Surviving COVID-19
Alex described her symptoms as feeling weak, and having slight fever (37.7ºC), sore throat, loss of appetite, clogged nose, and loss of taste.
There was also a point when she felt so sick and almost went to the hospital.
"Akala ko nakakaya ko na 'yung COVID but dahil hindi ako masiyado kumain dahil wala akong panlasa, sumama 'yung pakiramdam ko, bumigat 'yung feeling.
"I don't feel well, so sabi ng nanay ko pumunta na raw dapat ako sa ospital pero ayaw ni Mikee kasi baka mas lumala pa 'yung complications.
"Nung Monday, sobrang sama ng pakiramdam ko, as in level na gusto ko na pumunta sa ospital, as in napakahina ko. Hanggang yung kuko ko mahina na talaga.
"Sabi ng friend ko gawin ko na 'yung Melatonin, 'pag gising ko medyo gumaan na pakiramdam ko.
During the eighth day of quarantine, Alex saw a ray of hope in her battle as she started feeling better.
She said, "Medyo maganda na pakiramdam nararamdaman ko na yung energy, mabilis ako mapagod, konting kibot hingal na ako."
She felt well enough to join an online video conference for work, but later on experienced nausea and vomiting after taking medication.
"Hindi ko alam kung ano 'yung nag-trigger sa'kin pero nararamdaman ko 'yung gamot.
"Sabi ng mommy ko sensitive raw talaga 'yung tiyan ko."
Alex pondered over her family's battle and felt blessed that they can still manage their illness at home.
"We're very blessed, kasi una sa lahat my parents were asymptomatic, wala silang naramdaman.
"Ako lang 'yung medyo hindi maganda 'yung akin na nagkalagnat, nagkasipon.
"Napakabuti ni Jesus kasi we survived COVID. We are very blessed, na-survive namin. God healed us.
"Hindi naramdaman ng parents ko kahit na they're senior citizens. Ako naramdaman ko nahirapan talaga pero we prayed about it."
During the end of their two-week home quarantine, Alex and her family got tested as well as Mikee.
They tested everyone in their house including all helpers and staff twice, and thankfully, all results came back negative from the virus.
"You really have to be extra careful. I'm showing you guys this to show na you can survive COVID, kaya niyo, and if ever hindi niyo na nakakayanan, you consult your doctors if you have complications.
You really have to take care of your body, you have to boost your immune system kahit nasa loob lang kayo ng bahay. Thank you sa lahat ng mga nagdasal para sa'kin.
In the end, Alex shared her biggest lesson from her COVID-19 fight: "The bottomline, it made me realize in this pandemic we should stop thinking of [only] ourselves, we should start thinking of other people."
Celebrities and personalities who have recovered from COVID-19
Watch Alex Gonzaga's vlog here:
