'Lead Me Lord’ composer believes COVID-19 recovery was a miracle: ‘Noong sinabi ng doktor na idi-discharge na ako, humagulgol ako nang sobra’

The religious song “Lead Me Lord” has become an anthem for all patients and frontliners battling against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

But little did the world know that it was the song’s composer Arnel de Pano himself who needed to hear the song the most, after he tested positive with the disease.

In a Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho’s episode on Sunday, Arnel shared that he felt that his recovery from COVID-19 was a miracle.

“Noong sinabihan ako ng aking doctor na idi-discharge na ako kinabukasan, humagulgol ako sobra, sobra-sobra,” the composer shared.

["When my doctor told me that I was going to be discharged the following day, I cried so hard."]

Arnel is still undergoing another 14-day quarantine to make sure he is cleared of the virus.

Before being discharged from Marikina Valley Medical Center, Arnel said among his worst moments in the hospital was when he couldn’t move himself from one bed to another.

"Ang worst moment ko was nag-CT scan ako and pinapalipat ako from the emergency room bed to the bed ng CT scan. Halos hindi ko magawa kasi physically weak tapos wala akong hininga, walang oxygen at that time.”

["My worst moment was when I had to go through a CT scan. They asked me to move from the emergency room bed to the bed for the CT scan, but I couldn't do it. I felt so weak, I was out of breath. I didn't have enough oxygen that time."]

Despite that, Arnel never thought of giving up. According to the songwriter, he got his strength and inspiration not only from his family, but from the very song he composed.

“Lead Me Lord” and the COVID-19 frontline

Last month, the alumni of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine choir sang a beautiful rendition of “Lead Me Lord” to boost the morale of their fellow medical workers.

When the group asked for Arnel’s permission to use the song, he couldn’t believe that more than 35 years since he wrote it, "Lead Me Lord" is still a source of hope and of strength for many.

Arnel shared that the song came to him on a quiet day. He revealed that it was actually inspired from Psalm 119:105: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light upon my path.”

Before he was discharged from the hospital, the medical staff serenaded the composer with his song “Lead Me Lord.”

After singing, Arnel prayed for them.

The composer shared that by the end of his prayer, he started to cry, feeling overwhelmed by the staff’s kindness.

Arnel shared, “I told them, ‘Pag natapos ang lahat ng 'to, I hope makilala ko kayo,’ kasi I only see their eyes through the PPE. Mga angel ko sila, I'll be forever grateful to God for giving them [to me].”

["I told them, after all this, I hope to get to know you. Because I only see their eyes through their PPEs. I'll be forever grateful to God for giving them [to me]."]

Arnel shared that his doctor was the one who encouraged him to tell everyone his story, to tell everyone not to give up the fight. — Kaela Malig/LA, GMA News