MANILA – Veteran actor Julio Diaz is now out of the hospital and is currently recovering in Baguio City with his family.

He was discharged from the hospital 19 days after he underwent an operation in the brain. His doctors said his recovery would be much faster if he stays in cooler places while recuperating.

In an exclusive interview with “Rated K” on Sunday, Diaz said he is extremely grateful for his "second life" considering that his family was told that he only had up to 48 hours when he was rushed into the hospital.

“Unang una sa Panginoong Diyos, maraming salamat sa Kanya kasi nga itong buhay na ito ay hiram lang at binigyan Niya ulit ako ng panibagong buhay,” he said.

“Nowadays sabi ko, ang sarap pala mabuhay na lumalaban ka. Ang Panginoong Diyos ay binigyan tayo ng buhay. Binigay Niya iyan sayo because mahal ka Niya at dapat mahalin mo rin Siya katulad ng pagmamahal Niya sa buhay na ibinigay Niya sa 'yo.”

Despite what happened, Diaz said he remains thankful because his health condition paved the way for him to reconnect with his daughter with his former wife.

“Nakakalungkot hindi ko nakita 'yung kanyang paglaki. Nice na siya sa akin siyempre long years, 14 years without seeing her,” he said.

Diaz is best known for the 1993 award-winning epic "Sakay."

Before his surgery, he was able to finish work on Brillante Mendoza's latest film, ""Ma' Rosa," which vied for the Palme d'Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.