Veteran singer-songwriter Rey Valera revealed recently he had disturbing health concern late last year, resulting to the cancellation of his appearance in a US tour.
In an interview, he shared that his belly so suddenly got unusually big mere days before his flight.
"Ang nangyari, nag-pa-check up ako sa doctor. Aba, 'di na ako pinaalis! Nagtawag na agad ng surgeon kasi worried sila," he said.
At the hospital, he tried to use "mind over matter meditation," ordering his body to get well so he wouldn’t have to beg off from the tour.
"Gagawin natin lahat para lang matupad ang ating plano. Pero ang nangyari, the body takes over."
The 65-year-old singer underwent operation; an experience he didn’t relish at all.
“Sinaksakan ako dito ng tubo at may catheter naman dito. May (hose) dito (arms), magkabila,” he said.
Looking back, he thinks staying in the Philippines may have been a blessing in disguise.
"Maybe sinagip ako sa isang mangyayari na hindi ko alam," was how he put it.
Still, Rey was required to pay 2.5 million pesos to the concert promoter for failing to make it to the show. He also sent a video that shows him apologizing to the tickets buyers.
“Pinalabas ‘yun sa America. Imagine mo ‘yung humility na inabot ko. Pero okay lang. Sabi ko basta ano, gumaling ako,” he said.
But, what were the findings, we asked. What happened?
"Nagdikit-dikit ‘yung bituka,” he said. “Sabi ko, bakit nagkakaganu'n. ‘Yun pala ‘pag meron ka na dating operation — in my case, appendix — nagdidikit-dikit daw talaga 'yun.”
Rey added: "Ang worry kasi nila, baka merong bukol na maging malignant so they would have to cut if off. Buti na lang wala."
He shared a secret that helped him cope with the situation: Singing "You Are My Sunshine."
"(Parang) dinadala ako sa ibang lugar ng kanta na yon,” he said. “Whenever I sing that to myself, ‘di ko nararamdaman ang mga tusok."
His reflection over what happened changed his outlook in life.
“Akala ko mo in control ka sa buhay mo, akala mo in control ka sa sarili mo, (pero) hindi…
“'Pag nasa ganitong edad at 'yung mga kaibigan mo unti-unti ng nauubos, ang sasabihin mo sa sarili mo 'You may be the next when it is -- it's not 'if,' it's 'when' -- it is only a matter of time…
"Kaya it's an honor, it's a gift (to still be alive)."
Rey is headlining "The Acoustic Playlist" concert with Joey G on Feb. 7 at Palacio de Maynila. The two will then tour the concert in Seattle, Washington; Los Angeles, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and San Diego, California in May.