Boyet also a plasma donor
Tuesday (April 28) last week, Funfare published the story of three plasma donors, Senators Migz Zubiri and Sonny Angara and businessman Jeffrey Yap. They showed that being COVID-19-infected is not, contrary to what some people think, a stigma, and the three donors (and others besides) wanted to help those who need plasma in their battle against the virus.
Another celebrity plasma donor is Christopher “Boyet” de Leon who promptly announced that he was COVID-19 positive and called on co-stars he must have worked with to have themselves tested. Boyet was the first local actor who publicly admitted it, with Tom Hanks as the first Hollywood actor to do the same after he contracted the virus while in a movie shoot in Australia.
What’s your blood type and how many ml did you donate?
“My blood type is B+. I believe they got about 500ml of my plasma which only took 45 minutes. Usually daw kasi it would take them more than an hour.”
Aside from being tested negative twice, ano pa ang requirements/criteria for a donor?
“They have to do complete bloodworks. If test results are normal, then you’re good to go.”
When and where did you make the plasma donation?
“They extracted my plasma last Tuesday, April 28, at St. Luke’s Global because they are one of the very few who have the equipment and just enough staff to do it. And I was on call for the extraction because the plasma has to be fresh.”
After recovering, ano-anong precautions are you observing (vitamins you’re taking, sunlight, sleep, exercise, diet)?
“As soon as I got home from the extraction, I was advised to eat a lot of steak or beef to be able to replenish. Sa recovery ko from COVID, I’ve always been taking vitamin C pero tinaasan ko ang dosage. I resumed exercising and lifting weights. I do a lot of stretching, especially the upper body for my lungs. Nagpapa-araw din ako every day. At night, I often do leisure walking with my wife Sandy just around our garden.”
Up to now, di mo pa alam how, where, when and from whom you got the virus?
“Hindi eh kasi with our line of work we’re exposed to a lot of places and people so it’s really hard to pinpoint kung saan o kanino ka nahawa.”
What were your thoughts during your illness?
“Sandy, our bunso Mica and the rest of the people who live with us in the house. I just praise and thank God that they’re OK. It was my one-on-one time with my God. While in the hospital, I just kept reading His word, meditating on it, praying and glorifying Him. I continue to thank God that I’m surrounded by such caring, gentle doctors, nurses and staff. I truly appreciate them, our frontliners who put their own lives on the line to save lives. God bless and protect them always!”
Any projects on hold?
“Yes, our teleserye Love Thy Woman with ABS. I want to thank Sir Deo (Endrinal), Ms. Carl, the rest of the staff and, of course, the cast who prayed for me and would always check on me. Sa lahat-lahat na din na nag-dasal at nag-padala ng mga messages of concern and encouragement sa akin at sa asawa ko. God bless you all!”
How do you think work will be like post-COVID? What would be the major changes?
“Sa ngayon, di ko pa masyado alam mga bagong ruling but we will just have to follow the rules for everyone’s good. We all need to take care of each other. To think of other people’s welfare.”
How are you at home? Who are the children living abroad?
“I’m just glad and happy to be home with my wife and bunso Mica. With our other four children abroad, we video call all of them. Kamustahan and we always remind them how to stay well and safe, especially when they have to go out to buy basic necessities. Then, Sandy and I would share a verse from the Bible with them and we would talk about it. Tapos nun tawanan at kwentuhan na until 5 a.m. Minsan naman inaabot kami ng 6 a.m. (Manila Time), kaya medyo puyat kami lagi ni Sandy but it’s so worth it. We are praying that this crisis will be over soon at sana magkaroon na ng vaccine agad.”
(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)
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