Eye of the Storm

In these extraordinary times, and despite the very real danger to themselves, Filipino front line workers,
like my parents, everyday put their own safety and well-being aside to provide life-saving support and
protection to people most in need.

My parent’s are working at the hospital. They are frontline warriors battling the deadly virus that has
rocked the world. By day, there are also nurses, doctors and medical experts whose work centers on
protecting and caring for their patients. My father sometimes don’t go home – living separately from our
family as an extra measure of protection. My father is in ER, even before the pandemic, being an ER
nurse was already tough. Once you’re in the ER, there's non-stop action. You can’t eat, nor can you use
the restroom that’s why I really salute every front line workers for continuously putting their lives on the
line, despite the risks and uncertainties.

Sa simula pa lamang ng pandemyang ito, sila na ang unang nakasulong sa larangan ng digmaan— tinitiis
ang pagod, sakit ng katawan, hirap ng loob. Lumalaban sila sa sariling pangamba, at pangungulila sa
pamilya, mabigyan lamang ng ginhawa ang may sakit, at sa kahit munting paraan ay makatulong upang
maibsan ang paghihirap ng mga ito.

The Covid-19 pandemic lays our lives bare and forces us to appreciate our most essential needs and our
highest values. It forces us to appreciate the true value of many people whose roles in society tend to be
undervalued: the nurses, the doctors, the people sitting at the checkout counters in supermarkets, the
delivery personnel, the many nameless strangers who suddenly offer help. The pandemic has revealed a
vast sea of kindness in our communities around the world.

I am thankful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that me and my family are still healthy and alive. I
hope that many of us too learn to appreciate this gift of life. My message to everyone, enjoy the little
moments more. Follow the rules and take better care of yourself. We have a saying, “stay at home while
we do our work.” We need to be all in this together, we need teamwork.