74-year-old man stands up from wheelchair to dance after recovering from COVID-19

A 74-year-old man stood up from his wheelchair and danced in joy after recovering from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to Oscar Oida's report for "24 Oras," Sotero Agot was admitted to the Mary Johnston Hospital along with his 44-year-old son Joseph. Both of them contracted the virus.

"It was really a rocky start because he came in and he was already depressed because he got infected from his wife who actually passed away two days before," said hospital director Dr. Glenn Roy Paraso.

Sotero said he had a really difficult time dealing with the illness, while Joseph himself just came from a battle with thyroid cancer.

When father and son finally tested negative for the disease, hospital staff prepared a send-off for them.

But the healthcare workers were in for a surprise themselves when Tatay Terry suddenly got up and showed his dancing chops.

"Nung nagsayaw si Tatay Terry nagulat kaming lahat akala ko tatayo lang at mag-te-thank you but he was really in a celebratory mood," Paraso said. "I think that's how it was, it was a victory over this disease."

Tatay Terry said his actions were spontaneous and he initially only wanted to thank God and the medical frontliners who took care of him. 

The father and son are now under the mandatory 14-day quarantine to make sure they are fully asymptomatic.

Asked about their message to other patients, Joseph said to keep their hopes up and have faith.

"Just pray to God for healing. You have to trust God na whatever happens, good or bad, still God is good," he said. —MGP, GMA News