Our frontline workers and volunteers have been our first line of defense all throughout the pandemic. They have been persevering despite the high risk of exposure to the virus, sacrificing their family’s as well as their own safety. For the many who have contracted the virus in the line of duty, they were faced with challenges brought by isolation and incessant worrying of infecting their own families, apart from the physical symptoms caused by the virus. But because of their unwavering dedication to their duty, they continue to persevere for the greater good.
In a rare tell-all, one-on-one interview with 3 frontline workers of the Philippine Red Cross, we are honored to hear their stories of hardwork and perseverance amidst the challenges that their duties pose, especially in these times of uncertainty.
“Kung may chance ka magbigay ng tulong, magbigay ka”
MM has been a team leader for volunteers who work for the 1158 COVID-19 hotline for 1 year. She volunteers for the Philippine Red Cross because she wants to actively take part in the solution. One of the challenges she is constantly faced with is dealing with the frustrations and grievances of patients during calls. “Andun yung times na mumurahin ka, sisisihin ka, even yung pagiging edukado mo kekwestyunin nila. Pero okay lang kasi nasusubok yung patience mo at kung paano mo siya iha-handle… at nakaka-relieve siya kasi nagawa mo yung best mo na makatulong sa tao.” Despite how tough and exhausting her job can get, MM does not let these hurdles stand in her way of helping those who are in need.
One of the constant battles MM has had to deal with was fear — not just for her own safety, but her family’s as well. “What if ako yung may dala at mahawa sila?” A couple of months after she started volunteer work for the Philippine Red Cross, MM tested positive for the virus. Being alone in the isolation facility for weeks was challenging for MM as the emptiness made her long for her loved ones. This experience, according to her, was life-changing as it made her understand what COVID patients go through. Despite protest from her mother, MM continued working as a volunteer for the Philippine Red Cross after fully recovering. As it turned out, having gone through the adversities of the virus only made her want to help more. “Babalik ako kasi may naiwan akong trabaho.”
Being a part of the Philippine Red Cross is more than just taking credit and laudation from being a volunteer; it’s about helping others and obtaining self-fulfillment in the process. “Gusto ko pa mag-grow, gusto ko pa kilalanin yung sarili ko and at the same time gusto ko pa makatulong sa tao.” Despite constant fear and the graveness of her occupation, MM perseveres because of her unfaltering determination and love for her job.
“Sa kabila ng lahat, tuloy pa rin ang buhay”
In a relatively different setting, Yhen, who has been in Disaster Management Service for the past 8 years, showed us a different point of view when it comes to being in the front line. Yhen does field work by taking part in community visits before, during, and after disasters. He visits different communities across the country for rescue operations following floods and typhoons, making sure that the families are safely evacuated from their homes and properly settled in evacuation areas.
Like many other frontline workers who have great exposure to COVID, one of Yhen’s primary concerns is his family’s safety. This made him contemplate on whether he would still continue this kind of work given the grave risk it has for his own family. “Ako pa ba yung magiging cause para magkaron sila ng COVID? Ano, itutuloy ko pa bang magtrabaho ako sa PRC kung maeexpose lang din naman sila sa COVID through me? So dun na ako nag-isip isip.” In an inevitable turn of events, Yhen contracted the virus. He eventually got the result and found out that he was COVID-positive. The first thing that came to his mind was his family since he was already staying with them when he developed symptoms. “Yun yung worst day ever, yung malaman mo na positive ka, tapos sobrang nakaka praning kung nakahawa ba ako.”
He shared that the Philippine Red Cross played an important role in his recovery since it is financially challenging for him to sustain his medical needs during his bout with COVID-19. “Yung parents ko more than 50 years old na sila… e wala naman kami pampagamot. Magkano ang testing? 3,500. E ilan kaming family members? Apat kami, so 14,000 pa lang, e paano kung i-isolate kami? Alam mo yun. Yung food, yung expenses talaga, wala kaming wealth to cover yung expenses na dinedemand ng COVID. Salamat sa Philippine Red Cross kasi hindi nila ako pinabayaan.” After having recovered from the virus, Yhen continued his work in wanting to be of help to others. He does not mind earning minimally as he finds fulfillment in the kind of work that he does. By giving his time and his service, he is able to help a lot of people who are in need.
One of the many challenges that the Philippine Red Cross constantly comes up against is the recruitment of volunteers because of the high risk that the job entails. Even for seasoned workers like Yhen, there is still undeniable fear every time they are deployed, especially now that there is a pandemic. What keeps him going and greatly contributes to his motivation is knowing that his family takes pride in the kind of work that he does, no matter the repercussions.
With this, Yhen hopes that his countrymen will see the importance of volunteer work in attending to the needs of the people especially during these trying times. He also believes that life goes on despite the hardships that come our way. “Every operations na naeencounter ko, andyan yung nabagyuhan ka, nawalan ka ng bahay at kabuhayan, binaha ka, na-wash out yung mga gamit ninyo, pero yung mga tao nagpupursigi pa ring mabuhay.” With the continued support and assistance of organizations such as the Philippine Red Cross that will always be there to help and uplift the people, Yhen believes that all will be well.
“Ipagpatuloy mo, apo. Kailangan ka ng bayan”
Ian has been an ambulance crew member for the Philippine Red Cross for 6 long years. He is a registered nurse and an emergency medical technician. His biggest influence in pursuing a career in the medical field is his family who has a medical background. Growing up, Ian witnessed the hardship and dedication of his family as medical practitioners. This inspired him to follow in their footsteps in helping others. As the team leader of his ambulance crew, Ian’s job goes beyond his medical training and expertise. His team looks to him to lead, guide, and debrief them while they are on the job. More importantly, Ian uplifts them in the most difficult of times to keep them going.
Ian’s years of training have prepared him for this kind of job which first and foremost is to help those who are in need, even if it means risking his own safety. In one of his boldest attempts to save one of his patients who was no longer breathing and had no pulse, Ian performed CPR which inevitably passed on the virus to him. But if there’s one thing that he knows by heart, it’s that in public service, others will always come first. This is why he chose to continue his work for the Philippine Red Cross despite experiencing one of the biggest scares of his life and his mother’s plea. “Di bale nang walang pera, basta buhay ka, anak kita.”
Ian believes that helping others and having passion for what you do regardless of the challenges that may arise from it is the right mindset especially in their line of duty. Like MM and Yhen, helping others is a passion for Ian that’s why giving it all up is not an option for him.
Having seen and dealt with all kinds of medical emergencies, Ian believes that it is important to have complete medical equipment especially in the emergency department and safety services. The donations that will be driven in from the event can make this possible along with other high-priority matters such as free ambulance, free dialysis treatment, free blood treatment, among many others. It will help ameliorate disaster management operations all year round such as rescue, relief, and recovery operations, cash distribution, and livelihood generation for victims. Cash donations will also be used to purchase PPEs for the frontline workers and volunteers and provide them with allowances.
Let’s hangout with the heroes
MM, Yhen, and Ian have all contracted the virus yet they all powered through on account of helping others. For these 3 Philippine Red Cross frontliners, their duty precedes their best interests because it is what they were trained for. Together with Calamansi and its ever dedicated team who have made this event possible, let us help our frontline workers and volunteers by donating to the Philippine Red Cross. Be a part of Calamansi’s Hangout for Heroes on May 29 and 30, 2021 and become a hero yourself.
