Always grateful

But I no longer fear death, for I have known it once already. I am reborn, and my eyes have been opened to the Sacred World, and to the promise of what is yet to be.

- Selene, “Underworld: Blood Wars”

PASSI CITY, Iloilo – Just six months ago, I was either dead or dying in the hospital, undergoing heart surgery to keep me alive. Now I’ve been on my second flight to a new place, discovering new things, doing the things I love. If you had told me in March or April that was going to happen, I wouldn’t have believed it. I was just trying to survive the day and pray that I would wake up tomorrow. Today, I live only by the grace of God and my friends. For that I will always be grateful.

So what has happened in the last six months after my surgery? I underwent rehab, learned how to walk again and adjusted to taking over a dozen medications on a daily basis. I take my blood pressure twice a day to make sure it is neither too high nor too low. I’ve learned the things that I can no longer do and new things that I can do. And ironically, this is when new opportunities started to open up for me.

Thanks to old friends and connections. I was offered a daily radio program, “Hardball with Bill Velasco” on dwAN 1206 AM. It has been over 30 years since I’d done radio, one of the first media I fell in love with. Now, I get to do what excites me on a daily basis, with people I truly enjoy being around every day. I’m learning so much and simultaneously passing on my experience to a new generation broadcaster or teaching this old dog new things. I speak with legends and world champions regularly. Best job in the world.

Right after that, I was surprised to win an Asian award and traveled to Taiwan to receive it. Now, offers continue to come. My program “Masters of the Games” has also been nominated for a Catholic Mass Media Award. And today I’m in a new place, covering the Asian Tournament for the first time. A second chance in a second life.

I went through the most terrifying time and survived death, only to reach new highs. If you relax and allow it, graces will come. Trust in the process. And always be thankful.