Donny Pangilinan’s dad, Anthony Pangilinan, took to social media about his medical journey as he underwent heart surgery after experiencing shortness of breath.

On his Instagram page, Anthony revealed why he had not been doing his usual routine and activities for the past months.

“Been 'out of commission' for a while. Had to address an issue 'within.' 💔⚕️💊,” he first wrote in a caption.

Anthony posted a video where he shared the journey from finding out about his illness and how he and his family prepared for his medical surgery.

“It was shortness of breath that made me take up my medical check-up results that I had a few months earlier and to show it to my neighbor, (a) cardiologist, who in one look asked me to do further tests throughout my heart,” Anthony said in a voice-over.

The celebrity dad then said that his running exercises helped him to lessen the severe symptoms that his disease had.

“Long story short, I have a (mitral) heart valve issue that had a ‘torrentially severe leak’ and if not for a strong heart which I think I got it from running, I should have already shown more serious heart symptoms. So my choice is to repair it as soon as later, as it may cause heart failure,” he shared.

READ: Maricel Laxa recalls son’s heart operation at age 4: ‘I really felt the presence of the Lord’

As per Mayo Clinic, mitral valve disease is “a problem with the valve located between the left heart chambers” where it “may not close tightly” that causes “blood to leak backward”. Symptoms included in this disease are fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

Anthony revealed that after talking with his family and surgeon about where he should be doing the surgery, they ended up choosing the Philippine Heart Center where he had stayed for the past months.

“With the help of our dear friends and families, we prepare for the open heart surgery with whatever hope or faith we can hold on to,” he said as he showed some photos of himself and his family praying for a successful surgery.

“To Daddy, Never Lose Hope,” a phrase from a letter that his kids prepared read.

His children Donny, Hannah, Ella, Solana, and Benjamin also showed encouragement for their dad as he was inside the surgery room.

Anthony then shared that his procedure took 12 hours as they encountered an issue concerning his lungs.

“I was supposed to be on a three to five hour procedure, but it turned out to be a 12-hour were due to some difficulty in inserting the right tube into my lungs while they were working on my heart," he stated.

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As per his doctors, his procedure was equivalent to those who suffered from accidents such as getting beaten up by 10 men or getting hit by 10 trucks making him stayed a bit longer in the hospital.

He also underwent other post-surgery protocols, including making his heart rate and blood pressure regular and physical rehabilitation sessions.

“Whatever way it is spoken of, I made it through by His grace and by the continuing acts of praying makes me and my family do this as I am now preparing for the next season of my life.”

The Pangilinan patriarch is currently recovering and now looking forward to a healthier and stronger body.

“Slowly re-engaging with the world as I pursue recovery and seek to normalize my 'new' heart rate and over all condition. ❤️ All by God’s grace. 🙏🏼,” he said.

Anthony expressed, “Parang marathon, one step at a time, just about 40,000x 🏃 Thank you for your prayers and messages of support. ❤️❤️❤️.”