CHERRY PIE PICACHE SHARES JOURNEY AS COVID-19 SURVIVOR
AFTER revealing that she survived coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), veteran actress Cherry Pie Picache OPENED UP FOR THE fiRST TIME WHAT THE EXPERIENCE TAUGHT HER HEALTH AND FAITHWISE.
It was on March 25 when Picache posted on Instagram about her “tough, painful and scariest 3-week battle” with the virus. She disclosed how grateful she is for her family, friends, workmates and doctors who helped and prayed for her during those difficult times.
At the finale media conference for the ABS-CBN series “Walang Hanggang Paalam,” the 50-yearold thespian shared she was able to get through the struggles by holding on to her faith.
"Mahirap talaga yung pinagdadaanan natin ngayon, but there’s no other way but to really keep our faith alive and look at the brighter side.”
She also admitted that the pandemic became even more real for her when she caught the virus.
“Sa totoo lang, yung pinagdaananan natin na pandemic hanggang ngayon alam natin na mahirap, alam natin na heartbreaking. Noong nagkasakit ako, though iba-iba naman ang tama ng Covid sa mga tao, doon ko talaga naramdaman na it’s real, that it’s hard and difficult and iba na yung pananaw ko sa buong pangyayari ngayon sa paligid.”
She continued, “It was a difficult three weeks. Noong una, wala ako masyadong symptoms na nararamdaman, but as the days went on, it was very difficult because masakit sa katawan, masakit sa ulo. It also developed into pneumonia. But you know the miracle with my three-week battle? Si Padre Pio, my divine healer Jesus and Mama Mary. Hindi ako pinabayaan.”
Picache disclosed that she did not want to get hospitalized then but that she was strictly monitored by doctors.
“Wala siyang gamot so dapat lang talaga palakasin ang immune system ng tao, breathing exercise, palakasin yung baga. Sa lahat naman ng nangyayari sa atin, wala naman na tayo ibang kakapitan na iba kundi ang Diyos.”
She also acknowledged that keeping an eye for the overall health is still as important to regain full strength even if she is already Covid-free today.
“Hanggang ngayon nagpapalakas pa ako kasi parang hindi pa normal yung katawan ko talaga. Pero dapat tuloy din ang buhay so you also have to prepare, continuously prepare when you go out kasi lumalabas pa rin naman tayo to do our grocery, to work. Hindi natin maiiwasan na makipagsalamuha
kahit sa mga pamilya natin. So importante talagang palakasin yung immune system, take vitamins, monitor ng oxygen.”
In the end, Picache said that the pandemic made her appreciate more the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are working hard away from their families.
"Isa kami sa mga unang nagtaping sa panahon ng pandemya. Bukod doon sa hirap ‘nun — mga protocols and condition sa pagtrabaho — iba na ngayon yung puso ko para sa mga OFWs, yung malayo sa pamilya na nagta-trabaho. Ganun pala yung pakiramdam.
“So it’s really the time to share the love, compassion, understanding sa lahat and to reach out to everybody kasi bukod sa pandemic, may mga tao na malayo sa pamilya nila pero kailangan magtrabaho. Tuloy ang buhay, kapit lang talaga,” Picache finally said.
Viewers can expect Picache’s hearttugging scenes for the last time during the finale of drama-action series of “Walang Hanggang Paalam” tonight on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, Kapamilya Online Live YouTube channel, ABS-CBN Entertainment Facebook page and iWantTFC.
Directed by Manny Palo and Darnel Villaflor, it also stars Angelica Panganiban, Paulo Avelino, Zanjoe Marudo, Arci Muñoz and JC Santos, among others.