Three other Bagong Umaga cast members revealed that they have recovered from the COVID-19. Apart from Heaven Peralejo, Sunshine Cruz, and Nikki Valdez, other stars including Tony Labrusca, Barbie Imperial, and Keempee de Leon admitted that they also survived the infectious disease.
During the Bagong Umaga finale media conference on Tuesday, April 27, Labrusca had a shocking revelation that there are other cast members, including himself, who contracted COVID-19.
“Nakakapraning siya,” said Tony who considered his survival as his second life.
He eventually tested negative on his 12th day of isolation. He then expressed his gratitude to ABS-CBN and the production team for not leaving them behind.
“Sila talaga ‘yung naging family namin. Sila talaga ‘yung nag-alaga sa amin, made sure that we got home safe, that we had the proper meds, that the doctors were always taking care of us. Nakatulong talaga ‘yun. We were all handling it like a family, para no one felt left out and felt alone,” he said.
Though she planned not to publicize her COVID-19 journey, Barbie got carried away with Tony’s revelation so, she likewise confirmed that she had COVID-19, too.
“Kasi ako, palaging throwback ‘yung mga pino-post ko na photos and videos sa story ko. Baka malito ‘yung mga tao na nakasama ko kung kailan ba talaga ‘yun, at baka isipin nila na nakasama ko sila noong day na ‘yun. Baka ma-alarm sila,” explaining why she chose to keep it in private at first.
Barbie then clarified that they did not contract the virus during their lock-in tapings.
Another confession was made by de Leon. Just like Tony, he thanked the production team for taking care of them as they fight against the virus.
“Thankful talaga ako to the whole ‘Bagong Umaga’ family who prayed for all of us nag-tsi-check every single day sa Viber, sa buong production and staff, na hindi kami pinabayaan all the way, na talagang inalagaan kami,” he shared.
“Every day, tsini-check kung kumusta ang pakiramdam namin and everything. Nandoon ang family support ng bawat isa, e. Thankful ako. It’s not just about work, but the family na nabuo, ‘yung friendship, ‘yung relationships.”
Despite the contraction of the disease, he has no regrets in accepting the project, saying that it was a blessing considering that other people have lost their jobs amid the pandemic.
With the health protocols implemented due to the pandemic, Bagong Umaga shifted to ‘lock-in tapings’ where the production team along with the cast will be isolated every three-week cycle.
