Christopher de Leon details how he survived COVID-19

Christopher de Leon said healing from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was more spiritual than physical for him.

"It's not of my strength, it is all the strength of our Almighty God, who is giving it to me," the actor said in an episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.

Christopher described the moment he learned that tested positive for COVID-19: "Very shocking and unnerving." He was with his wife Sandy, who also got herself tested for COVID-19.

"Fortunately, negative 'yong result nung sa kanya," he said, adding he was very scared for his family, especially for his wife, who was a kidney transplant.

"Mababa ang immune system niya. 'Yun yung pinagdadasal ko na sabi ko 'huwag naman po na pati ang asawa ko magkaroon nito because this would be very delicate,' I was praying 24/7," he said.

Sandy meanwhile was shocked after learning Boyet contracted the virus. "Kasi siya ang, I know  [he's] very, very clean with himself. Nagulat ako na, 'ha? Ikaw ang nahawa pa of all people?" She said.

In sickness, Christopher kept himself busy by watching "'yong mga channels, 'yong mga pastors, priests. Everything that I can hang on to." 

Sandy said she cried all night praying, "I just prayed to God. I know You have plans for us. I know You have a reason for doing this, but please sabi ko forgive us our sins, forgive us. Have mercy on us."

Christopher is one of the lucky COVID-19 survivors who only had mild symptoms. He said keeping himself healthy even before contracting the virus may have helped.

His doctor, the actor narrated, told him that any type of exercise — breathing exercises especially — was important.

In the KMJS episode, Christopher showed simple stretching and breathing exercises people can do.

Christopher, who has already donated blood plasma to help treat other COVID-19 patients, said he is on call and ready to donate more if needed.

"Baka ito 'yung calling kaya siguro ako nagkaroon ng ganito, para makapag-donate ako," he said.

Although this has been a hard battle, in the 40 years Christopher and Sandy have been together, facing COVID-19 was not the first one they had to survive.

In 2014, one of their children, Miguel, had cancer. The following year, Sandy had to undergo kidney transplant.

And much like Christopher who turned spiritual in the face of COVID-19, so did his family. 

"Kumapit lang talaga kami sa Kanya," Sandy said. "I know we'll go through this. My prayer was groaning. I was groaning every day. It was a strong prayer eh. Especially for a mother. The Holy Spirit understands your groan, sobrang lalim nang iyak."

Miguel healed from cancer a year after getting sick.

The couple celebrated their 40th anniversary just a few days after Christopher was discharged from the hospital.

They have five children together Rafael, Miguel, Gabriel, Mariel and Mika, four of which are living abroad.

Sandy and Christopher are living with their youngest Mika but they keep in touch with their other children through video call.

Christopher and Sandy said their love for each other grew stronger after COVID-19.

"Lagi kong pinasasalamatan ang diyos na walang nahawa sa inyo nakita ko iyong halaga mo sa buhay. Lalo kang napamahal sakin," Christopher told Sandy.

"Nakita ko 'yong lalim ng pagmamahal ko sa kanya, kahalagahan niya sa buhay ko at sa buhay ng mga anak namin," Sandy told Christopher.

Christopher was the first celebrity in the Philippines to announce that he tested positive for COVID-19.

He was cleared of the disease three weeks after his discharge from the hospital. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News