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COVID-19 survivor Katrina Castilla bravely shares how she survived COVID-19 and the social stigma that surrounds it, on GMA Lifestyle's 'New Normal' web series.

COVID-19 is the primary enemy in this pandemic, but it has given birth to another problem: the social stigma. In an episode of GMA Lifestyle's 'New Normal' web series, COVID-19 survivor Katrina Castilla shares how she battled the disease and the discrimination that comes with it.

Katrina Castilla recalling the COVID-19 symptoms she experienced before getting tested. / Source: GMA Lifestyle (FB)

Like many who caught COVID-19, Katrina was initially in denial when she started experiencing flu-like symptoms.

“I didn't wanna believe that it was COVID already, until I saw Bitoy's vlog about it.”

Katrina says that just like Bubble Gang star Michael V., she had fever, fatigue, coughs and colds, and also lost her sense of smell and taste.

After watching Bitoy's vlog and learning that they have the same symptoms she was finally convinced that she should get tested for COVID-19.

Katrina tested positive for COVID-19 in both the rapid test and swab test, while her mom initially tested negative in the rapid test but tested positive for COVID-19 during the swab test.

Fortunately, none of them had severe symptoms and did not need to be confined in the hospital.

Upon learning of their test results, Katrina and her family isolated themselves at home for about a month.

Katrina documented her struggles in her IG stories. / Source: GMA Lifestyle (FB)

The physical, mental, and emotional battle

Katrina described her physical ordeal with COVID-19 as something that's unlike any other that she's experienced before.

“I was having difficulty in breathing tapos there was a tingling sensation, burning sensation all over my body. It was really weird, and it was something new to me.

“Parang sinusunog yung katawan mo, pero buhay ka pa.”

On top of dealing with the physical aspect of having COVID-19, Katrina also had mental struggles while she was recovering.

“Actually, it was really hard for me. It was really tormenting, yung buong process, yung buong duration nung isolation ko.

“It brought me so much emotional strain and mental trauma to the point na I was having anxiety attacks for the first time in my life.

“Hindi mo alam kung mabubuhay ka pa the next day. Hindi mo alam kung 'yung mga kasama mo sa bahay [if] they will make it. Hindi mo alam. Wala kang kasiguraduhan sa life.”

The fear and uncertainty have even led Katrina to question God at some point when she was feeling overwhelmed.

“Grabe 'yung galit ko during that time. Talagang walang araw na hindi ko sinisisi si God.

“Sabi ko, 'Out of all people, bakit ako pa? Bakit 'yung mom ko pa? Parang wala naman kaming ginawang masama sa kapwa namin, pero bakit kami 'yung sobrang naapektuhan?'

Katrina reveals that her family experienced discrimination after testing positive for COVID-19. / Source: GMA Lifestyle (FB)

Facing the stigma

Sadly, Katrina and her family also experienced discrimination for having contracted the dreaded disease.

“When we informed the barangay about us being positive sa COVID, 'yung mga neighbors naming, iba na 'yung tingin sa amin.

“May one-time pa na they wouldn't deliver to our home, so papaano naman 'yon 'di ba? Parang paano 'yung mga needs namin? Eh we cannot go out nga kasi we're isolating.

“So, 'yung mga ganung moments or ganung experiences, sobrang nakadagdag [stress] siya sa amin mentally.”

Katrina's temperature while she was battling COVID-19. / Source: GMA Lifestyle (FB)

What got her through

According to Katrina she took several vitamins to help boost her immune system. The love and support from loved ones are what ultimately helped her during her recovery.

“I'm really thankful for my brother for being the man of the house. I'm really thankful for him because he was monitoring our meals, our medications.

“At first, parang I knew I was bound to die. Pero sobrang nakatulong 'yung mga taong very supportive around us, people who prayed for us, siyempre 'yung mga medications namin, our family doctor.”

Her message

As a COVID-19 survivor, Katrina encourages people to not let their guard down during the pandemic.

“Kami, as a family, sobrang ingat na namin. Sobrang ingat na namin talaga, to the point na ako, I was wearing three layers of masks but I still got it.

She also strongly appeals for everyone to treat COVID-19 patients with respect.

“Hindi dapat sila kadirihan. Hindi sila dapat i-discriminate. And what we need is support, more than ever.

She also had inspiring words for people who are currently fighting COVID-19.

“Eventually it will get better, you just have to have faith in God. I know there are times na we might question Him, but isa Siya sa hahawak sa kamay mo when things get rough.

“So, ayun, 'wag kang panghihinaan ng loob. As long as you have the right people around you, I know it will get better.”

You can watch Katrina's full story in GMA Lifestyle's 'New Normal' episode below.

Want more lifestyle content like this? Head to GMA's Lifestyle page.

You might also want to read about a nurse who tested positive for COVID-19 three times and returned to the frontlines after recovering.