Surviving COVID Unscathed

Volume 4, Issue No. 29

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .

 

 Our latest as of Friday, December 2, 2022 

~ The bit of heartening news is that of a media colleague who, instead of kicking the bucket, has kicked out the usually fatal virus that had visited her weeks ago. The seasoned journalist famously known by her initials BKJ or Baby K. Jimenez writes about her harrowing experience and coming out of it with a renewed sense of purpose, so full of gratitude and love. She survived the ordeal with a combination of prayers, hopes, personal help from friends, and a belief in science. Everything is a blessing.

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BABY K. JIMENEZ, A FRIEND AND MEDIA COLLEAGUE

Movie Scribe Recounts Health Ordeal

Science, Prayers, Help Her Make It Through

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ 

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

"Those blessings are sweetest that are won with prayers and worn with thanks". 

-  Thomas Goodwin 

TORONTO - Our dear friend and media colleague popularly known as BKJ or Baby - that's Baby K. Jimenez folks - has come out unscathed after a distressing bout with the coronavirus weeks ago. "I tested positive," was how she put it in a published personal account.

In isolation while facing the ordeal, she recounted entertaining thoughts about so many things like "maybe become a better version of myself". That was quite modest of her to say as if she had nothing to show by way of accomplishment.

Well, the truth is BKJ is like a walking encyclopedia of Philippine movies. Her extensive knowledge of the entertainment industry in the homeland would shame present-day writers.

Her recovery is good news, for how else would we be afforded a glimpse of the storied lives of performing artists the background insights of which she holds in her hands if she had not regained her health? I, for one, am happy she didn't kick the bucket.

BKJ's case is a triumph of science, of the tireless efforts by Toronto health authorities to contain the pandemic, and of the general population's positive response to government entreaties to get vaccinated against the coronavirus and the flu.

Beyond all these, of course, is the very personal relationships BKJ has with a multitude of friends and readers who keep track of her writings. One notable gesture that really touches is the outpouring of love and concern from people hereabouts.

"I had barely relaxed when dear friends came to my rescue," she writes in the Balita tabloid. "Someone offered to get my medication knowing I could not get out; Mon and Tere dropping off a Greek lunch; there's Jannie who overwhelmed me with a surprise show of six super sarap items from Republika . . .

"Then the 'quiet treat' from Rosary who drove miles away to heal my body x x x the notes from niece Grace, nephews Jojit and Gary x x x and the meaningful lines from Tess C and Congen Castro" - all of which, she says, "brought tears to my eyes".

"The many emails, texts, phone calls were like a prayer brigade - storming the heavens to heal me - all sugar-coated enough to make me whole," BKJ notes. On the first Sunday of Advent (November 27), that's five days ago, she announced, "I tested negative!" (Full story at: https://www.balita.ca/christmas-is-love/).

The rest of her narrative is undiluted poetry:

"I am thankful for technology that allows us all to connect from a distance. I am beyond grateful for the many lives I've had the privilege of connecting with. What a joy, what a gift to have so many friends near or far. The holidays are that season when tradition encourages a humble toiling of all that should be appreciated, and a future shimmering with promise.

"I enjoy the quiet reflections and a certification that actually, the best things in life are free - the air we breathe, the grass we walk on, the snow that transforms our surroundings to a winter wonderland, the flowers, the lakes, the birds and the bees . . .

"The best things in life don't require a credit card - a priceless feeling is something that no amount of money could ever buy . . . From small, everyday joys like listening to your favorites song to memorable experiences, there are so many reasons to treasure your life. Everyday is like Christmas. What a blessing!" 

Salut! (Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved).