Howie Severino gets real about lonely battle vs. COVID-19 in 'I-Witness' documentary

"Marami na kaming lumalaban, ngunit ang totoo, mag-isa mo itong haharapin."

This was Howie Severino's realization, well into his battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The GMA News and Public Affairs pillar and "I-Witness" documentarist had found himself smack in the middle of the health crisis that overtook the world when he became Patient 2828.

Howie has turned his story into a documentary for "I-Witness," which featured video clips he had taken in his time at the hospital.

Even bedridden, Howie was sure to document stages of his illness, even wrangling short interviews with nurses as they were tending to him.

One things is made clear in his journey to recovery: it is a lonely battle. And at some point in his battle, Howie thought that he was going to die.

"Sa aking pag-iisa, sumagi din sa isip ko na hindi ko kayanin ang pagsubok na ito," he said.

His wife Ipat Luna revealed that he actually called her saying goodbye.

"Nung panglabing isang araw, nung umaga, 'yun 'yung napaiyak talaga ako. Noong gabing 'yun siya tumawag, na medyo nagpapaalam, nagsasabi ng passwords," she said.

Howie had earlier revealed that he had "visions of death" when, for some reason, he couldn't sleep. He said his wife comforted him and helped him through meditation exercises, which finally allowed him to rest. Eventually, he fully recovered.

Howie was once again tested for the virus, and twice he tested negative. After an eleven-day struggle, doctors gave him clearance to go home. He was wheeled out to exuberant cheers from hospital staff.

Touched, Howie said, "Salamat sa inyo. Buhay kami. Buhay ako."

—JCB, GMA News