Arnold Clavio on the 'blessing of a second life' after surviving stroke

For veteran broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio, life has taken on a new meaning after surviving a hemorrhagic stroke.

- NATHALIE M. TOMADA

For veteran broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio, life has taken on a new meaning after surviving a hemorrhagic stroke. One may call his experience as a second lease on life as he really feels it's a blessing that he can't and won't take for granted.

Last June 2024, Arnold, or "Igan" as he's fondly called on TV, suffered the condition while driving home from a golf game. It has since become a turning point, reshaping his outlook on life, faith, and health.

He recently recounted the harrowing details of the stroke with some members of the press, including The STAR. The right side of his body suddenly went numb and when he made a stopover at a gas station, he could barely walk anymore.

He, nevertheless, remembered just mentally thanking the Lord. "Wala akong mabigkas. Kasi kasama sa nararamdaman ko yung nag-iisip ka, anong nangyari, anong mali ko, 'di naman ako nakakain that day, pero ang sugar ko 270. I wasn't hypertensive, but my blood pressure was 220 over 120. So what caused it? It was so sudden."

His wife couldn't get to him fast enough as well, but miraculously, he managed to drive himself to Fatima University Medical Center, which was even 30 minutes away from his location. He believes divine intervention guided him. "Dati kasi 'pag nagkukwento ako, it's just a name of the hospital, right? Pero biglang may nagsabi sa akin, hindi Igan, Mama Mary guided you."

Looking back, he recalled media colleague Jessica Soho asking him if he didn't question God during that moment. But Arnold shared, "What I truly felt was, why am I still here?"