Jessica Soho reveals bouts with pneumonia; reflects on the pandemic
In the first episode of 'The Howie Severino Podcast,' multi-awarded TV host and broadcast journalist Jessica Soho talked about how her life has been during the pandemic.
Jessica told Howie, "I'm good, Howie, fortunately. For someone with very weak lungs, I'm doing pretty okay. I've had two bouts with pneumonia and very serious bouts with pneumonia kaya I need to be very careful. My doctors have advised me na extra 'yung precautions na kailangan kong gawin for myself, knowing 'yung conditions ko.”
Jessica Soho during a previous episode of State of the Nation
It's no secret that reporters and other professionals in their field are also frontliners amid the pandemic, who have to take great risks in order to fulfill their duties. And Jessica is no exception.
She recounted some of the times during the pandemic, when she had to do interviews and coverages in person, like during the floods in Cagayan and Isabela.
“Wala akong choice. Trabaho 'yon, e. Kailangan ng mga kababayan natin sa Cagayan and Isabela na mapakita 'yung kanilang kondisyon. This was in November.
“So, ang ginawa ko na lang, I took all the necessary precautions and observed all the protocols necessary when I was on shoot.”
Jessica also recalled doing ambush interviews with President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo.
“Kay Vice President Robredo, I deliberately distanced myself, at saka payag naman siya.
“But because the president was surrounded by his security guys and all his aides, medyo I had to go up close kay President Duterte.
“Pero mindful din ako because he's a senior citizen. Ayoko rin ma-endanger 'yung health niya kasi meron din siyang mga inaalagaang kondisyon. I understand, his age, for one.”
She also shared pretty much how her life is now that we are navigating through the new normal.
“Kailangan ko magtrabaho. But most of the time, you know, I've been trying to take good care of my health talaga. I've been doing some workouts to improve my lungs.”
Plus, she revealed that she's revived her love affair with the French language during the quarantine period.
“Ni-revive ko 'yung fascination ko with the French language. Because I took up French in college. Six units lang naman. Kasi in UP, 'di ba, the registration is a nightmare? So minsan, kunin mo na lang kung ano 'yung available elective.
“So, it happened one summer ang nakuha kong elective ay French. So, I took six units of that and then sabi ko, 'Maybe it's time I review my French lessons or, you know, try to learn more.'
“So, I've enrolled (online). It's been challenging my brains and my tongue. So, okay naman.”
The acclaimed Kapuso TV host then reflected on the lingering pandemic.
“Naniniwala ako doon sa dichotomies na tinatawag ng buhay natin, noh. For every threat, there's an opportunity. 'Yung mga ganyan, 'yung mga yin and yang. So, I think this pandemic happened for a reason, Howie, eh. Maybe it's a timely reminder from our environment na if we mess up with it, this is what we'll end up with.
“I think it's also a good pause. 'Di ba 'yun 'yung sinasabi early on in this pandemic? We all need the necessary pause in our lives. Kailangan daw po nating tumigil muna and take stock of things, magnilay-nilay. We need this new normal.
“May kasamang sakripisyo lalo na pagdating sa hanap-buhay, sa ating kalusugan, Pero I'd like to think na dapat mas marami tayong mga leksyon na matutunan from this. It's a wake-up call, no doubt about that. And a rude one at that, pero I think it's a necessary one.”
Listen to the full conversation of Jessica Soho and Howie Severino in the podcast below and learn more about her career journey.
For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.
See also who else among Filipino celebrities and personalities have battled pneumonia in the past in the gallery below.