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Minsan po talaga wala kang magagawa kundi magtiis. [Sometimes, there's nothing we can do but just endure it.]
When the world seemed like it went into a standstill, 26-year-old Roy from Manila, a public market vendor went to work as usual. He could not afford to stop, even with the risk of contracting a virus that has already affected thousands of people. He had a family to feed. If he even thought of taking a break just because of his fear of the possible infection, it would not be the virus that would kill his family—but hunger.
“Bihira naman po akong magkasakit kaya akala ko po kakayanin ko, kasi sabi po nila basta malakas ang resistensya mo malabong tamaan ka ng virus. Kahit na natatakot po ako, hindi po pwedeng tumigil ako kasi ako lang naman po ang inaasahan ng pamilya ko. Nagtuloy-tuloy pa rin po akong magtrabaho pero sinunod ko po lahat ng binibilin ng mga patalastas, lagi po akong nakaface-mask, face shield, tapos may alcohol po lagi sa bulsa ko.”
When he started to experience the first signs of COVID-19 such as dry cough and fever, Roy dismissed it as no more than a common cold. He self-medicated and shrugged off his signs and symptoms to not make his family worried.
“Wala naman po kasi kaming pera para diyan sa swab test na yan, kaya tiniis ko na lang po, kahit po nakakatakot yung mga binabalita na namamatay dahil po sa virus. Sabi ko po baka sinisinat lang ako kasi tuloy-tuloy po akong nagtratrabaho kaya uminom na lang po ako ng mga gamot. Pero ilang linggo na po yung lumipas ganoon pa rin po, tapos iba’t-ibang parte po ng katawan ko yung sumasakit, nagtatae rin po ako tapos lagi pong sumasakit yung ulo ko.”
Although he insisted that it was just a common cold, at the back of his mind, Roy knew that it was something else. Hence, as early as he could, he isolated himself from the rest of his family, telling them that it’s for everyone’s safety because they could never be sure of what his real condition was. He wore double face masks at home and opted not to talk to or go near any of his family members unless the situation called for it.
“Napansin naman po ng nanay ko na inuubo na ako tapos masama na yung pakiramdam ko kaya hinikayat niya po na magpa-test ako para magamot ako sa ospital kung sakali. Pero sabi ko nga po kanina, wala naman po kaming pera para doon kaya sabi ko sinat lang to tiyaka mawawala rin naman. Tiniis ko na lang po kaysa mapunta pa yung pera para sa mga pangangailangan namin sa pagpapagamot sa akin, hindi naman po kasi libre iyon tiyaka nakikita ko po sa TV na malaki yung gastos sa pagpapagamot.”
A fellow vendor went through the same ordeal and convinced Roy to get tested through the free swab tests program in their city. As Roy speculated, the results showed that he was positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, his case was not serious enough to warrant hospitalization. The doctors only advised him to self-isolate, get proper rest, and strengthen his immune system.
“Nanginig po talaga ako nung nalaman kong may COVID talaga ako kasi akala ko po ia-admit ako agad sa ospital, inisip ko po agad kung saan kami kukuha ng pambayad o baka di na po ako makalabas sa ospital. Buti na lang po sinabi nung doktor na hindi ko na po kailangang maconfine. Kung tutuusin swerte pa rin po ako kasi hindi na po lumala yung sakit ko kaya nagpapasalamat po ako sa Diyos.”
Roy is only one of the approximately 17.6 million people in the Philippines living below the poverty line. Even before the pandemic struck, these people already suffered from hunger and financial incapacities. Therefore, it cannot be denied that in these difficult times, they still remain as the most vulnerable sector of the society. As such, people of power and wealth are encouraged to utilize their means to at least offset the effects of the pandemic on the lower socioeconomic groups. It is today, more than ever, when we need to check our privileges and opportunities to help, especially in terms of giving equal access to basic needs, healthcare and information.
“Kung hindi lang po kailangan na mag-alala sa pera, syempre gusto ko rin pong magpatingin sa doktor, pero minsan po talaga wala kang magagawa kundi magtiis. Sana po dumating yung araw na yung katulad ko pong naghihirap hindi na po kailangang mag-dalawang isip na magpatingin sa doktor pag may nararamdaman po silang sakit. Sana rin po hindi kami mapag-iwanan dito sa sinasabi nilang new normal. Mag-ingat po tayong lahat palagi.”
It is high time to stop romanticizing the Filipinos’ long-adored culture of resilience. Rather than praising them for their perseverance despite unfavorable conditions, making reforms that would not put them in a miserable situation in the first place would be much more progressive. Break the silence; Filipinos need not be poor nor resilient.
Written by Francesca Ysabelle Elizaga
Art by: Neon Ross
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