Ebe Dancel pens open letter for frontliners: ‘Biyaya ka sa akin at sa buong Pilipinas’
Ebe Dancel. Images: InqPOP/Jester Burgos, Facebook/Ebe Dancel
Ebe Dancel wrote an open letter for COVID-19 frontliners to thank them for their devotion amid the ongoing pandemic.
“Dear Medical Workers and Frontliners, Pasensya na po kayo (I’m sorry)” he said on his Facebook page earlier today, Aug. 2.
He acknowledged that while he would feel tired sometimes when he wears a face mask, it must be harder for the frontliners who have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) day in and day out.
“Minsan di na kayo makakain at makapagbanyo,” the singer stressed. “Yung iba, hindi na makauwi kasi baka may mga bata at matatanda sa bahay [niyo].”
(Sometimes you cannot eat or go to the restroom. Others cannot even go home because there may be children and elderly in their houses.)
Dancel then pointed out that even for those who can return to their homes, it is still difficult for them since they are not able to hug their loved ones without possibly spreading the virus.
The singer also has loved ones who are doctors, whom he worries about every day.
“Sana hindi sila magkasakit,” he said. “Sana makapagpahinga sila sa gitna ng dami ng pasyenteng kailangang alaagan.
(Hopefully they do not get sick. I hope they can rest even in the middle of taking care of so many patients.)
Addressing other frontliners, Dancel wishes they can also have the time to rest amid the pandemic.
“Kung hindi dahil sa iyo at mga katulad mo, pano na kaya kaming mga ordinaryong mga mamamayan?” Dancel said while admitting that he held back tears as he wrote the open letter. (If it wasn’t for people like you, what would happen to us regular citizens?)
He then expressed his admiration for the medical workers, whom he said are tired and feel that they might not have anything left to give.
“Bilib na bilib ako sa yo at sa mga sakripisyo mo para sa bayan,” the singer added. “Biyaya ka sa akin at sa buong Pilipinas.”
(I really believe in you and your sacrifices for the country. You are a blessing to me and to the whole Philippines.)
While he acknowledges that the medical workers probably lack sleep, he assured them that it is alright for them to feel exhausted. But he also pleads to them to not give up on the Filipino people.
“Kasi hindi rin kita susukuan. Hihintayin kita,” he assured them.
(Because I will also not give up on you. I will wait for you.)
Dancel made them a promise: if a frontliner attends his future shows after the pandemic, they should introduce themselves to him and he will hug them and play their favorite songs of his.
“Mag ingat ka sana palagi at wag mong papabayaan ang iyong sarili,” he told the medical workers as he ended his letter. (Be careful always, take care of yourself.)
Over 60 medical societies in the country have pointed out that the healthcare system has been overwhelmed by the continued increase in COVID-19 cases, particularly in Mega Manila. This includes the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).
They then urged the government to place Mega Manila under enhanced community quarantine again “to refine our pandemic control strategies.”
Following the medical groups’ suggestion, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) would discuss the idea of re-imposing ECQ on the said area.
However, executive secretary Salvador Medialdea did not wait for the IATF’s action. He called on Saturday night a meeting of key Cabinet members and other officials involved in the pandemic response “to address the concerns of the medical community.”
Roque stated that the recommendations following Medialdea’s meeting will be submitted “for the President’s review.” JB
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