Filipino Covid-19 Frontliners

"On one end, I feel privileged to be serving the

public. In a way, it’s like fulfilling my childhood
dream of becoming a superhero. I am on the
frontlines helping humanity. On the other, though,
it’s really scary, especially when one of our
colleagues tested positive for COVID-19."
" I like to draw strength from the little moments –
the thank yous we get from the family of patients
we revive. It’s in those moments that I feel like I’d
rather give all my energy and be tired to the point of
exhaustion, just as long as we get to rescue
people… and, of course, it’s not us that are being
rescued. "

"My life drastically changed when the pandemic

began. Being a nurse was never easy, but, at least
before COVID-19, I had a lot of time with my
family. Now, I rarely go home. We need to isolate
ourselves from our families. And yet, I still find
this job very rewarding and gratifying. I hope
people know how much we sacrifice for this job."
"There are moments when you feel the
appreciation, too, from strangers. Aside from
government support, private sectors and
individuals stepped in. We experienced special
frontliner lanes in some establishments, some
provided us with shelter and shuttles, others
provided us “ayuda” (a term for aid in the
Philippines). The support can get overwhelming."

"My lifestyle significantly changed, and my plans

for further sub-specialization were derailed
entirely this year because of the pandemic. It
upended our way of life and our entire health
system."
"That time, the outpour of support from everyone
– from friends, colleagues, and family – was
overwhelming. Despite not being there physically
to support me, their messages of encouragement
were enough for me to make it through. Aside
from my family and my colleagues and mentors –
whom I draw strength from as they too are in the
same battle as I – serving children is what keeps
me going."