83-yr-old lola is oldest to recover from COVID-19 in Philippines

While elderly people are among the most vulnerable to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an 83-year-old woman from Sta. Rosa, Laguna just became the oldest person so far to recover from the deadly disease in the Philippines.

According to John Consulta’s 24 Oras report on Tuesday, Sta. Rosa Patient 3’s recovery has provided a ray of hope amid all the gloom surrounding COVID-19, which has been fatal to the eldery and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

“‘Wag po nila (senior citizens) isipin na mawawalan na sila ng pag-asa dahil po ang Diyos ay hindi natutulog,” she said.

"Ako po ay nagdiwang sa loob ng aking kuwarto. Hindi ko alam kung ako ba ay sasayaw o hindi," she added when asked what came to her mind the moment she learned about the good news that she was finally well.

Patient 3 thanked the country’s medical workers for being at the frontline in the fight against COVID-19.

“‘Wag po kayong magsawang tumulong. Kayo po ang aming gabay. Kayo po ang mag-aalaga sa amin,” she said.

She also said prayers, love, and support from her family and the Sta. Rosa local government unit were key to her recovery.

She, likewise, expressed gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for helping Filipinos in this unprecedented situation.

“Presidente Duterte, ‘wag po kayong magsawang tumulong sa mga Pilipino. Labanan natin ang COVID,” she said.

Sta. Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas said Patient 3 was really an inspiration to the elderly community.

“Sinasabing ‘pag senior medyo delikado but then again, si nanay showed us na talagang kung susunod ka lang sa dapat gawin ay gagaling ka. Hindi kami bumibitaw dito,” Arcillas said.

As of Tuesday, Sta. Rosa has reported 11 cases of COVID-19 including one fatality and two recoveries.

In the Philippines, the number of cases has reached 2,084 with 88 deaths and 49 recoveries. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/MDM, GMA News