ERICH Gonzales and Enchong Dee reunite.
“I took my body for granted. Because I’m young and I feel healthy, I didn’t think I could get sick,” said Kapamilya star Enchong Dee, who was at the Department of Health office in Manila recently to donate blood for dengue victims.
The lead actor in the ABS-CBN afternoon drama series “Maria la del Barrio” has had two bouts with dengue—in 2009 and 2010, both in August.
“So I decided to donate blood also in August of this year,” he said. “Of course, I first made sure I’m fit. I took vitamins and used mosquito repellents.”
Enchong, 21, said he was planning for this to be a regular thing. He said he had responded to the call of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) for more blood donors due to the increasing number of dengue cases.
“Did you know that with a 450-cc bag of blood, you can help three patients? A lot of us think giving money is the only way to help, but it’s not. You can do simple things like sharing your time, making effort to visit the sick or, as in this case, donate blood.”
Enchong said the process took only an hour. “I was interviewed by a health officer before she drew blood. I’m not afraid of needles or the sight of blood. My family owns a poultry shop in Naga City so I grew up seeing chicken blood.”
He said his first bout with dengue was emotionally stressful. “I was in the hospital for a week,” he recounted. “It was traumatic because I had never been hospitalized. I kept thinking of commitments and work piling up. I handled the second time better, but I was still angry with myself. I had been sleeping late and skipping my vitamins.”
Enchong urged fellow celebrities, especially onscreen partner Erich Gonzales, to try donating blood. “She still needs convincing because she’s scared of needles. I’ve convinced my brother (AJ Dee). Hopefully, my friends in the industry will be inspired to help out.”
E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph.