ABS-CBN actress Iza Calzado opened up for the first time on social media after beating the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
On Monday, Calzado thanked the public for the support and prayers that poured in after her manager, Noel Ferrer, confirmed on March 28 she tested positive for the virus. On March 30, her manager announced she had recovered and was discharged from hospital the following day.
“Hello Everyone! It’s a brand new week and today I am grateful for my life… After 2 weeks of battling Covid-19, pneumonia and a nasty bacteria called Acinetobacter Baumannii, I am alive and for that I am truly grateful. I know that so many of you sent your love and support and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you,” the 37-year-old wrote on Instagram below a photo of herself in workout attire, smiling with her hands clasped in yoga position, surrounded by her dogs.
“Please know that even if I didn’t get to read all the messages, I felt the love and good energy and that you helped me pull through one of the darkest moments of my life. Everything by God’s Grace, of course, but your prayers did so much for me. I hope in some way, I can pay it forward,” she added.
Calzado also apologized for posting what quickly became a controversy on Instagram before she got sick. She said then that Covid-19 was “the universe’s way of making the world a better place moving forward.” There were some netizens who reminded her about the post when she tested positive for the disease.
“Most of you know what happened to me. Before I talk about it, I would like to address something. When I started getting sick, I made a comment on an IG post that was totally misconstrued. I understand how and why that happened and I am sorry if anyone was offended and felt bad about it,” Calzado explained.
“Please know that I would never intentionally say anything to hurt others nor celebrate anyone else’s suffering. I am a hopeful person and always try see the silver lining in every dark cloud. I am sad that you missed my heart but I also understand your sentiments,” she continued.
The actress went on to thank medical frontliners and especially mentioned her doctors and nurses in Asian Hospital where she was hospitalized.
“I wish to thank all the frontliners especially my doctors and nurses in Asian Hospital for going above and beyond to make sure I live, breathe and have another shot at life,” she said.
“To Dr. Jorge Garcia, Kuya Joel and the family, much love and respect. Thank you.
Thank you for the support from my ABS-CBN family who always checked up on me and made sure that I was fine until the finish line. Salamat, Kapamilya!”
The actress also thanked her husband Ben Wintle — CEO and founder of food app Booky — and reminded fans and friends to express gratitude to God every day for the gift of life.
“My deepest gratitude to my friends and family who prayed HARD and really made me feel their love and care for me especially my number 1 nurse, my husband, Ben. I could never have done this without you, my Love. We did it, by God’s Grace, we made it!
“Today, I encourage you to take a moment to thank God for your breath, thank Him for everything and everyone in your life and let us continue to pray for those who are suffering and for those who are trying their best to help those in need. Together, we can overcome all of this. Mabuhay! “ Calzado’s post ended.