MORALE BOOST. Health workers at the Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Hospital join the nationwide We Light As One event in honor of the frontliners in the fight against Covid-19. Photos courtesy of Luisse Rutao/Pampanga PIO
GUAGUA, Pampanga — Some 200 health care workers from Diosdado P. Macapagal Memorial Hospital (DPMMH) on Sunday joined “We Light As One” to boost the morale of other essential workerswho are similarly in the thick of battle against thecoronavirus disease.
According to Bernadeth Besonia, a 35-year-old veteran nurse from DPMMH, the past few months have been very challenging for health care workers like them.
“Mahirap po ang maging isang frontliner. Una po,hindi namin nakakasama ang aming mga pamilya, limited lang po ang aming galaw. Minsan, nakakaranas pa kami ng diskriminasyon, lalong-lalo na ang mga kasama namin sa trabaho, pinandidirian po sila, “she shared.
Dr. Fleur Zapanta, medical chief of DMMH, added that health care workers try their best every day to stay motivated, away from family and home, for the people that they serve.
“Hindi madali, mahirap ang sitwasyon namin lalo na sa mga pamilya namin na gustong magstay na lang kami sa bahay kasi natatakot rin sila para sa amin but we have to practice our profession. Kailangan naming lumaban. Hindi kami pwedeng umurong kasi kami anginaasahan ng taong bayan,” she said.
To honor the bravery and contribution of health workers like Besonia and Zapanta, one of the 150 participants of the lights and sound organization in Pampanga coordinated with DPMMH to stage its very own “We Light As One” entry in the hospital along with its medical personnel.
During the one-hour event, beams of light illuminated the night sky to offer an hour of prayer and solidarity to all frontliners in the country.
“Alam naman po natin kung gaano kapagod ang mga frontliners, so sa kahit maliit lang na bagay po sana ay makakatulong tayo para ma–uplift rin ang spirits nila” said Carol Narciso, owner of Beauty and Beats lights and sound.
Medical workers and staff also gathered at the center aisle to offer their very own mob dance version of Rachel Patten’s “Fight Song.”
“This is our way to show sa mga kapwa naminfrontliners na kaya natin itong malampasan, basta sama-sama tayong lalaban,” Dr. Zapanta furthered.
“We light As One” is a nationwide simultaneousfundraising event participated by members of the lights and sounds industry in the Philippines. Proceeds of the event will be used for the purchase of additional personal protective equipment for frontliners.
