(SPOT.ph) One lolo from Mandaluyong City has proven that a COVID-19 diagnosis is not a death sentence. The nonagenarian who recovered from the disease was captured sitting proudly in a weelchair as he was being discharged from the Mandaluyong City Medical Center—complete with a sign that said "I'm a [95-year-old] COVID survivor!"—on April 12. His name? Cresencio Junio, according to city mayor Menchie Abalos' Facebook post.
Healthcare workers were there to applaud and cheer on Junio as he was brought to a service vehicle. "Maligayang Pasko ng Pagkabuhay, isang pagasa ang ibinigay sa atin ni lolo Cresencio Junio," said Abalos. Junio, rather fittingly, was discharged on Easter Sunday. "Simbolo ka, lolo, ng liwanag na nadadanasan natin ngayon," added the mayor, who also thanked all the frontliners at the Mandaluyong City Medical Center (MCMC).
Junio is a resident of Barangay Hulo, according to a report by the Philippine Star. Based on his current age, Junio may have been born in 1925—three years before sliced bread was produced commercially—and has survived a world war, the administration of 15 out of the 16 Philippine presidents, and now, the COVID-19 pandemic. Before Lolo Junio was discharged, an 83-year-old female patient from Sta. Rosa, Laguna was reported as the oldest to recover from the disease.
As of writing, the city of Mandaluyong has reported 162 confirmed cases of COVID-19. A total of 30 COVID-related deaths have been recorded, with 23 recoveries.
Main image from Menchie Abalos / Facebook