Realizing heroism before reaching home

12:46 AM.

It was the last trip. Tired from work, I planned on getting home early but the jeepney needed two more passengers to roll.

Displeased, I approached the barker and asked him how many passengers I have to pay for just so we can go. “I just wanted to get home and rest,” I told myself, trying to defend what I just did.

"Sorry pate, kung iniisip mo na aabonohan mo na lang ‘yung ibang pasahero dahil nagmamadali ka, sorry. May mga hinihintay pa tayong empleyado na wala nang masasakyan pauwi," he replied.

I was stunned. His words moved me enough to realize that I was being too self-centered. I then remembered, there is a curfew and there are people who CARE for the FEW—willing to go the extra mile only to serve the people in these trying times.

They are the food delivery drivers, supermarket workers, restaurant cooks, security guards, and janitors, among others. These people are in the frontlines too, unsung yet, risking their lives every day to sustain the society.

Even before the pandemic kicked in, they were already one of the essential workers. But, this time, it is way different. It is today, more than ever, that they are immensely needed.

The last two passengers arrived and I felt ashamed of my behaviour earlier.

Meanwhile, as the tires rolled, there were bumps and humps along the poorly built road. I then thought, exhaustion from working all day plus a cracked road on their way home—no, the essential workers do not deserve this.

May the government recognize their efforts and provide them the compensation that they deserve. These people cannot even afford to deal with mental health issues nor speak up for their rights and concerns because their physical health is always worn out from being consistently in service to the public.

I reached home. Tired from work but, with me are a bunch of realizations and life lessons. Along with the medical frontliners, these workers are the backbone of the society. In this battle that we continuously fight, they are our heroes behind the spotlight.

Written by Emerson Pacheco

Photo by Chrizha May Panganiban

#JuanHealthPH #JHPH