ALLAN K is one of those celebrities whose businesses were adversely affected by the pandemic. His two comedy bars that used to be such a big hit with many regular customers, Zirkoh and Klownz, had to close down due to mass gathering restrictions.
And on top of that, he lost his two siblings due to Covid. First his brother, followed by his sister two months later.
“Nasa Bacolod sila, so namatay and cremated nang hindi ko na nakita kasi di rin ako makalipad doon,” he says.
"“Sobrang sakit. Tapos, wala akong work kasi ang ‘Eat Bulaga’ puro replay lang for several months. Sabi ko, nangyayari ba ito sa akin?”
But his tale of woes is not yet over, as he himself was infected by the virus.
“Nagsimula sa lagnat,” he recalls. “Then I lost of my sense of smell and taste. Hindi ako makapaniwala kasi I observe all health protocols and I fortify myself with lots of vitamins.
"At ni hindi ko alam kunsaan ko nakuha. In other words, pag tatamaan ka, basta tatamaan ka, kahit nag-iingat ka pa!”
He really feared for his life.
“Kasi, diabetic ako at may edad na rin ako. E, sabi, kapag ganun daw, mas malamang na mamaalam ka na agad. Nang magpa-swab test ako at ma-confirm ng doctor na may Covid ako, daig ko pa ang binagsakan ng mundo.”
He had himself confined in the hospital and he stayed in the intensive care unit for three whole days.
“Severe yung case ko at ang daming gamot na sinaksak sa’kin. When Bossing Vic and Pauleen (Luna) visited me, sabi raw ng doktor, hindi mabuti ang sitwasyon ko.
'But thankful lang ako kasi I never had to be intubated, yung bubutasan ka sa leeg at lalagyan ng tubo. The doctor told me na it’s good I sought treatment right away dahil kung tumagal-tagal pa, wala na siguro ako.”
All through out his experience, he never felt depressed.
“Lumaban ako, sa tulong ni Lord. Sa kanya ako kumapit, sa Bible verse that says ‘I am the God that healeth thee.’ So yun ang naging mantra ko, paulit-ulti kong sinasabi: ‘Lord, you are my God who healeth me.’
"Ayun, with His help, I recovered and it strengthened my faith in God. Basta manalig lang at huwag kalilimutang nandiyan lagi Siya.
"I can really say that this is my second life and I’m very grateful for that. Now, life goes on for me.”
Now, he has opened a new resto, Koban Japanese Restaurant, on Morato Avenue, about a block away across Zirkoh.
The thanksgiving lunch of writer Gorgy Rula for his 60th birthday was held there and that’s where we got to interview Alan about his unforgettable brush with the virus.
Koban is a very cozy resto and the food is really good. We ordered their ramen, gyoza and their Japanese salad and it’s all very good. They practice all safety protocols so it’s all very safe. You should try it.
