Former Mr. Gay World Philippines-entrepreneur Wilbert Tolentino is on the road to full recovery after his battle with COVID-19.
"Thank you so much to all those who prayed for my recovery. If you are tested positive for COVID-19, don't be scared and panic. It will cause anxiety and depression, then eventually you feel hopeless. Just compose yourself and seek knowledge. COVID-19 is curable. Just don't mind what other people would say. Just reach out so you can survive," said Tolentino in an online chat recently.
Tolentino also reminded the public to take care of their health, take enough vitamins, eat fruits and healthy food. "They should also get enough sleep, wash their hands all the time, drink lots of water and stay at home and pray to God. This is a lesson to me and as a survivor of COVID-19. I hope you will follow my simple advice."
His ordeal started on July 24 after he posted on Facebook about his sore eyes. A physician friend messaged him an antidote while telling him his sore eyes might be a symptom of COVID-19.
After undergoing a swab test from a private diagnostic center, he was relieved to find out that the results were negative.
However, when his back and chest pains set in, not to mention being a hypochondriac, he underwent another swab test two days later from another clinic, just to be sure.
When the result came, he was surprised to find out that he was positive. So, he went into solitary confinement and ingested Chinese herbal remedies. He even isolated himself from his four-year-old son Willard so he wouldn’t get his ailment.
Unfortunately, his condition did not get any better and breathing became difficult. He went to the hospital and was diagnosed with COVID-19 with a severe case of pneumonia and a condition known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). He was intubated for three days inside the Intensive Care unit.
During his hospital confinement, what made him strong were the well-wishes and prayers of family and friends, aside from those of his own. At one low point, he even told friends that if he succumbed to the disease, his son should be left in the care of his brothers.
The rest is history. Now Tolentino is stronger and healthier.
Tolentino's confinement for two weeks made him realize the brevity of life and re-focus on the more important things essential to one’s existence, like faith in God.
As a COVID-19 survivor, Tolentino is now a staunch advocate in spreading awareness to help curb the rise of the pandemic. He will also donate his blood for the Red Cross’ supply of convalescent blood.