Image: Instagram/@gardo_versoza
Gardo Versoza might have initially laughed and shrugged off the death hoax about him, but after having just come from a scary health emergency, the actor said that he and his family did not think it was a laughing matter.
Versoza made the confession during an interview with broadcast journalist Jessica Soho, as seen in a video uploaded on GMA Public Affairs’ official YouTube channel last Tuesday, May 9, where he stressed that it’s disrespectful to make false claims about a person’s life.
“Masakit sa akin [at] para sa pamilya ko, kasi hindi ka pa patay pinatay ka na nila. Kung hindi siya nanggaling sa scenario na galing sa atake, pwede mong palipasin. Pero kasi ito, fresh pa eh,” he said.
(It’s painful for me and my family. I’m not even dead yet, but they killed me already. If it’s been a different scenario like I haven’t just gone through a heart attack, I can let it go. But the events were still fresh.)
The seasoned actor also lashed at those who made the false reports on social media, saying that he was concerned about the welfare of his son if he finds out.
“Galing ka sa ICU tapos dalawang ugat ang barado, parang ‘yung isa mong paa, nasa hukay na. Lalo na ngayon, para lang sa content, ‘yun ang gagamitin. Anong iisipin ng anak namin kapag nabasa niya? Anong magiging epekto n’un sa kanya,” he added.
(I came from the ICU and then two of my arteries are clogged. But it feels like I’m already one step closer to the coffin. Especially now. People are willing to make false claims about my life for content. What would my son feel if he came across them? What would be its effect towards him?)
Versoza also revealed that his heart attack started from sudden back pains which he sustained from “long” bike rides to Tarlac and Laguna.
“Nagkaroon ako ng mga long bike rides nang two weeks apart sa Tarlac at Laguna. Siguro, mga three weeks after, nagkaroon ng sudden pain sa likod. Unbearable ‘yung pain. Akala ko pagod or kaya ngawit lang. Pero after a while, bumabalik ‘yung pain,” he shared.
(I came from long bike rides that were two weeks apart in Tarlac and Laguna. And then about three weeks after, I suffered from a sudden pain in my back. The pain was unbearable. I thought I was merely over-fatigued. But after a while, the pain would persist.)
After receiving a call from work, the “Flower of Evil” star decided to have himself checked by a doctor to ensure he’s in a good condition. He was then advised to undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest x-ray soon after.
“Nakita sa ECG, medyo erratic ‘yung heartbeat. I had a heart attack sa bahay lang pala. Na-confirm nila na dalawang arteries ‘yung barado, pinapirma na si wifey na medyo critical ang gagawin,” he said. “‘Yung pinaka-main avenue ng heart na blood vessel niya, ‘yun ang 100% na-block.”
(The ECG discovered that my heartbeat was erratic. I already had a heart attack at home. They confirmed that two arteries were clogged, then the doctor asked my wife to sign some documents since I will be going through a tough operation. The main avenue of my heart where a blood vessel can be found, that was 100% blocked.)
Versoza, who’s known for having an active lifestyle, admitted that he’s aware that he would have a heart problem at some point in his life since it “runs in the family.” Despite this, he was told by the doctor that being a fitness junkie had saved his life.
“Sinabi ng doktor na ‘Kung hindi ganyan ang lifestyle mo, malamang dire-diretso ka na pagka-atake,” he said, adding that he was advised against going on long bike rides and carrying heavy objects.
“Pero ‘yung exercise na ginagawa mo na biking like a 100 to 200 kilometers, hindi healthy ‘yan. For my age, pinu-push ko na masyado ‘yung puso ko. Na-realize ko na importante pa rin talaga ang laging pagpapa-check up,” he added.
(The doctor said that if I don’t have an active lifestyle, I might have died already. But I was told that I should not be biking for about 100 to 200 kilometers because it’s not healthy for me. For my age, I’m pushing my heart too much. I realized that it’s important to undergo a regular check-up.)
The actor said he hopes to have his second angioplasty done this month, although he admitted that he’s ready if ever his time comes.
“Kung ano ‘yung will sa akin ni God, tatanggapin ko naman,” he said. (Whatever God’s will for me would be, I’m ready to accept it.)
Versoza was discharged from the hospital in April 2023 after a month-long recuperation period in the hospital. Following his confinement, the actor said at a media conference that he is already doing better than before.
“Ngayon, kumbaga, kahit may isa pang ugat na gagawin, kaya ko na dahil ‘yung 100% na blockage, na-repair na nila ‘yun. Ang naiiwan na lang is ‘yung 80%. Kapag nag-break, saka na gagawin ‘yung isa [pang angioplasty],” he said. (Now, even if I’m about to undergo my second angioplasty, I can return to work because 100% of my blockage has been repaired. What remains is the 80%. If I have the chance to take a break, then I will proceed with my second angioplasty.) EDV