Inspired by beauty queens, pageant fan survives COVID-19 ordeal

A pageant fan who caught the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) took inspiration from the famous words of beauty queens to survive his ordeal.

In an episode of GMA Public Affairs' "Survivors," Raymond Santos shared his experience as a COVID-19 patient with co-morbidities. The 25-year-old human resources specialist suffers from a Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, which requires him to undergo dialysis three times a week.

When he started showing COVID-19 symptoms, he was tagged as a Person Under Investigation (PUI) which made his medical treatment more complicated.

"PUI ako pero ang tingin ng mga tao sa 'kin is parang positive na. 'Yung tipong makita ka lang nila, umiiwas na sila sa 'yo. Ultimo dialysis center ko, tinanggihan ako na ma-dialysis," he said.

"Nung moment na 'yon, feeling ko may nakakadiri akong sakit. Feeling ko wala nang tutulong sa 'kin," he added.

On March 25, his worst fears were confirmed: he was positive for COVID-19.

Raymond turned to Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova to find the courage to face his situation: "The biggest challenge in my life is always trying to stay positive. Even though sometimes in difficult times it’s hard look at life this way, I always try to maintain a positive outlook in life."

But it was not easy. He had asked for help from the local government, the Department of Health, and the Red Cross, but hospitals still kept turning him away.

Raymond had not undergone dialysis for 11 days. His symptoms worsened: he had fever, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and hallucinations. His body was numb and he was vomiting.

"Nag-give up na talaga ako, sinabi ko kay God na, 'Kung kukunin Mo ako, kunin Mo na ako, kasi hindi ko na kaya ‘yung sakit ng katawan ko.'"

"Feeling ko ‘yung moment na 'yon, 'yung buhay ko is 1 percent na lang. Para akong kandilang unti-unti napupuspos," he said. "Feeling ko talaga time ko na nung oras na ‘yon."

He was eventually admitted to a hospital, but it wasn't until almost two months later and his seventh swab test that he finally tested negative for COVID-19.

Despite the long struggle, Raymond said he was happy to survive.

"I’ve always taught myself to look for beauty in it," he said, quoting Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. "And to be grateful I would bring this aspect as a COVID 19 survivor to see situations with a silver lining." —MGP, GMA News