Mike Enriquez returns to work after undergoing kidney transplant

"People of the Philippines, I have returned."

Mike Enriquez quoted US General Douglas MacArthur with a smile as he met with member of the press online on Friday.

The GMA News pillar is returning to work after a lengthy medical leave. Back in December, Mike underwent a kidney transplant, which required a three-month isolation period.

During the media conference, Mike opened up about the procedure and the healing process.

"'Yung pinagdaanan ko mahirap," he said. "Aside from the procedure itself, may three months mandatory isolation period, and the purpose of that is to avoid the rejection and infection. 'Yung kidney transplant patients, immuno-compromised sila eh. May comorbidities pa ko, senior citizen, diabetic."

Asked why he decided to opt for the medical procedure , he answered: "To improve my quality of life."

"Imagine this, three times a week, sometimes four times a week, I am hooked up to a dialysis machine for four hours. Ask people who undergo dialysis,  para kang binugbog ni Manny Pacquiao, physically," he added.

After consulting with doctors, he decided to go for it.

He said it wasn't an easy process and it required a lot of tests, but that such things as kidney transplants — as well as the heart bypass operation he underwent back in 2018  — only happens "if God wills it so."

That said, Mike shared a pearl of wisdom that he learned after the health challenges he overcame: "Keep the faith."

"You need two things: You need prayer, and you need humor. Kung masyado kang seryoso sa buhay mo, walang mangyayari sayo," he said.

Mike will return to his posts in "24 Oras," "Imbestigator," and "Super Radyo DZBB" starting Monday, March 28. —JCB, GMA News