Elle Villanueva recounts near-death experience in Switzerland

Elle Villanueva became emotional as she revisited her near-death experience during what was supposed to be a romantic vacation with boyfriend Derrick Monasterio in Switzerland nearly a year ago.

According to Nelson Canlas’ report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, the incident happened at the peak of Mount Titlis, where Elle accidentally slipped down a snowy slope while taking photos of Derrick.

“Si Derrick, nagpa-picture. Sabi niya, kunan mo ako, snow angel. Tapos sige, sige, tapos maya-maya. Dire-diretso ako pababa, tapos foggy, wala akong makita, puro white. Tapos dire-diretso. Hindi niya na ako makita,” Elle shared.

“Tapos akala ko — kasi nasa pinaka-peak kami ng Mount Titlis. Wala na akong maisip. Ang naisip ko lang, ito na ba 'yun? Ito na ba 'yun?” she added.

She shared that prior to the trip, she had been going through a “dark place” emotionally.

“I was being ungrateful na. 'Cause I can't help it. Alam mo 'yung kapag ang dami nang thoughts na nangyayari sa mind mo, hindi mo na ma-filter out na nagiging ungrateful ka na, na ang dami mo nang questions, if what's happening is enough na ba. I think part din 'yun ng midlife, quarter-life crisis,” Elle said.

The accident, Elle said, became a wake-up call.

After the incident, she underwent a medical consultation and received a diagnosis that she described as “shocking,” though she declined to disclose further details. 

“Nagpa-check din ako and then, 'yung sinabi sa 'kin ng doctor was really shocking to me na hindi ko siya ma-accept. Hindi ko siya ma-accept. Basta she said something na, it was shocking for me that I am diagnosed with this. Possibly,” she shared.

Despite this, the Sparkle star said that she is doing good.

“I'm good. Natatakot lang akong bumalik 'yung ganong feeling.” 

Taking things step by step, the actress also said she has since shifted her priorities.

“Kasi dati masyado akong naka-focus sa isang bagay, sa career ko. So nakakalimutan ko 'yung sarili ko. Totoo pala siya. That slope. That slope made me realize that life itself is already a gift. Life itself is already enough,” Elle shared.

“Gift siya ni God na pangalagaan mo. Tignan mo 'yung magagandang bagay sa paligid mo. Dahil madami talaga. Madami. There are many things to be grateful for. It is my second chance,” she added.

Now, Elle chooses to live more fully in the moment — spending less time on her phone and more time appreciating the people around her. She also learned to care less about what others think.

“Live to the fullest. Live at the moment. I spent so much time not looking at my phone. I don't use my phone as much. And I do appreciate the people around me. I really take my time to talk to them,” Elle said.

“Nung naging mas open ako sa buhay, I started caring less with what other people think. Just spreading the love. Alam mo 'yung kapag punong-punong ka na ng pagmamahal, doon ka makakapagbigay ng pagmamahal sa iba,” she added.

Elle is set to star in the upcoming Kapuso series “Apoy sa Dugo” alongside Derrick and Ashley Ortega.

It is set to premiere on GMA Afternoon Prime on March 2.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News