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Multi-awarded comedian and COVID-19 survivor Michael V. marked another milestone this 2020 as he turned a year older.

The long-time Kapuso star and creative director revealed back in July that he tested positive for COVID-19.

He has since recovered from the contagious disease and has been sharing in his subsequent interviews what he went through during such a difficult ordeal.

In the special comeback episode of Pepito Manaloto on Sepetmber 5, Direk Bitoy stressed the importance of having a strong faith to overcome COVID-19.

“Ilalagay mo na lang sa kamay ng Diyos lahat na itong araw na 'to nakalaan para sa kanya, 'tsaka may purpose 'yung bawat araw.

“At tsaka para sa akin 'yun ang nagpapa-andar noong araw kada panibagong araw matatapos naman ito sa gabi, bukas isang araw na naman na nakalagpas, so tuluy-tuloy.”

He added that talking to other people also helped a lot to calm him down.

"Bibilangin mo lang 'yung araw at palagi ka lang makikipag-usap sa mga tao magpapakalma sa iyo.

“Magpapagaan ng nararamdaman mo at tsaka 'yung pag tahimik na lang at [yun] puwede ka na magdasal, nasisiguro mo na nakikinig sa'yo ang Diyos.”

Michael also noted that he has since prepared for any situation: whether good or bad.

“Ako naman kasi, all-out ako e, 100% ako every day. So parang, ako ready palagi kung ano man 'yung hindi maganda mangyari, kumbaga handa na ako.

“Yun ang pinakamagandang paghahanda na puwede mong gawin, ready ka sa lahat ng puwedeng mangyari.

"Kaya noong nagka-COVID ako posibleng challenge lang at kung challenge ito handa ako sa lahat ng challenge na puwede ibigay sa akin.”

Birthday

Michael V. took to Instagram to thank everyone who greeted him as he celebrated his 51st birthday

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michael V. 🇵🇭 (@michaelbitoy)

Some of the celebrities who sent their well-wishes to the birthday boy includes his Family History co-star Dawn Zulueta and former Kababol Gwen Zamora.

Celebrities greet Michael V. on his 51st birthday / Photos taken from Bitoy's Instagram account

Meanwhile, Bitoy's daughter Brianna Bunagan penned a heartwarming birthday greeting for the man who “inspired” her throughout her life.

“Before the day ends, I'd just like to wish you a happy happy birthday. You've inspired me my whole life and I've always admired you for all that you are and all that you do.

“Thank you for the smiles, the laughs, the tears, the movies, the adventures, the life lessons, and all the moments. I love you beyond words, and I'm so blessed to have you to call my dad.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brianna Bunagan (@briannabunagan)

Michael V. or Beethoven del Valle Bunagan in real life, is not only an accomplished comedian. He's also the creative director of his two shows: Bubble Gang and Pepito Manaloto.

He won thrice at the Asian TV awards, bagging the award for Best Comedy Performance by an Actor in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

Get to know more about the brilliant comedian Michael V. in the gallery below!