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For Janeena Chan, a health scare from a decade ago remains one of the biggest wake-up calls of her life.

Looking back, Janeena revealed that her battle with Bell's palsy happened during a particularly hectic period when she was pushing herself beyond healthy limits.

“Naka-10 years na pala. At the time, I was super busy, pero hindi yung busy in a healthy way pala,” she shared after she was introduced as the newest celebrity ambassador of Blue Water Day Spa on Thursday, June 18.

Bell's palsy is a condition that causes sudden weakness or paralysis in the muscles on one side of the face, often leading to drooping or difficulty moving facial muscles. While its exact cause varies, stress and lack of rest can worsen one's overall vulnerability.

For Janeena, the experience became a painful reminder that no one is exempt.

“It can happen to anyone talaga,” she said. “Kahit sino puwedeng ma-paralyze ang face just because of stress and not having enough sleep.”

Before the facial paralysis happened, Janeena recalled already experiencing warning signs—symptoms she now realizes should never be ignored.

“May mga symptoms na pala like twitching sa eyes and then parang may ringing sensation sa ears.”

Those subtle signs eventually escalated into something more serious. Her biggest fear at the time was the possibility that her face might never fully recover.

“Yung fear na naisip ko is baka hindi na bumalik yung face ko, baka tabingi na siya. Yung mga nakikita natin minsan, na parang gumanun [ngiwi], at least, hindi na bumalik yun,” she said.

Fortunately, Janeena's case was treated while still acute. She was on her way to host an event when their family doctor recognized the urgency of her condition.

“Noong nalaman ng family doctor namin, I was actually on the way to host for an event. Kinailangan kong iwan lahat and go to the ER agad.”

Immediate medical attention made a major difference in her recovery.

Janeena underwent a combination of treatments, including acupuncture, electric stimulation therapy, and facial exercises to help restore movement.

Beyond physical treatment, she admitted faith also became a major source of strength during one of the most uncertain moments in her life.

Grabe yung pag-pray ko. It was really a test for me. I prayed a lot talaga. Kasi, siyempre, mayroon pa akong mga deadline, may mga work pa akong nakalatag.

“Parang I told myself, dapat in one month gumaling na ako. Gumaling naman nang dahan-dahan. Now, not na super halata, di ba?

She believes her recovery could have taken much longer if she had delayed treatment.

“It could have been longer kung pinatagal ko siya, meaning, hindi ko pina-treat agad.”

Today, the Sparkle talent says the experience permanently changed how she approaches work, stress, and self-care.

If sleepless nights and overcommitting once felt normal, that mindset no longer applies.

“Pahinga talaga,” she emphasized. “Kung noon pwede pa akong magpuyat, ngayon hindi na talaga.”

Now, she has learned to set firmer boundaries and prioritize her well-being over everything else.

“Kapag feeling ko mai-stress ako or feeling ko I'm getting more than I can commit to, parang huwag na lang.”

Related gallery: Filipino celebrities who had Bell's Palsy

Janeena shared that one of her most important forms of self-care is carving out quiet, uninterrupted time for herself.

“Ako, kailangan ko talaga ng time to pause, as in walang mang-iistorbo sa akin, kailangan ko ng me time.”

Interestingly, Janeena said she often feels energized when she's out working, meeting people, and hosting events.

“I love what I do, it's always so fun to meet new people and personalities.”

But once the day ends, she said, “Kailangan ko talaga to disassociate. Mag-isa muna ako at kailangan ko talaga ng pahinga.”

Recharging, for Janeena, sometimes means getting long hours of sleep.

“As in kaya kong matulog nang sobrang tagal. Normal pa ba yun?” she laughed.

She also enjoys massages as a way to release physical tension and stress built up from her demanding schedule.

“Siyempre, massages help a lot,” she said. “Ang gusto ko pa, hindi lang halata, mas gusto ko nang hard massage. Gusto ko yung tinatapak-tapakan na ako. Yung ine-elbow pa nga, 'tapos, yung mga masahista, 'Ma'am, kaya n'yo pa?'

“Gusto ko yun, na kapag may mga lamig-lamig 'tapos naririnig ko, 'Yes, more, harder.' I really love my massages, my me time.”

More than relaxation, these moments of stillness help her regain balance and restore her creativity.

As someone working in a fast-paced industry, Janeena said quiet moments have become essential.

“Our line of work can be very demanding—may schedules, naghahabol ng oras. So, kailangan ko talaga ng time na walang hinahabol, walang iniisip masyado.”

For Janeena, slowing down helps bring back the energy, creativity, and positivity she needs to keep doing what she loves.

“For my creativity to be full again, and yung happy vibes, mabalik ulit.”

In the end, Janeena left this simple but very important reminder: “Your health is more important. Kung hindi ka healthy, wala lahat.”