Yeng Constantino
Having earned the ire of medical professionals in the past, Yeng Constantino had initial misgivings about publicizing a song she had written for them.
“What if they end up getting annoyed instead of feeling encouraged?” she wondered.
“I had received a message in a Viber group about a doctor asking celebrities to record videos of encouragement for workers who are running low on morale. The situation in our hospitals at the moment have been especially difficult,” Yeng, writing in Filipino, said in an Instagram post on Friday.
She wanted to participate and do her part. But she feared that doing so would only reopen old wounds.
Last year, Yeng posted on YouTube a vlog documenting her and her husband’s “traumatic experience” at a hospital in Siargao Island. She lamented the health facility’s lack of equipment, and called out one of its doctors who supposedly didn’t see the urgency in attending to her injured husband.
Health-care workers and social media users admonished Yeng’s acts, which they called “doctor-shaming.”
“I really wanted to create a video. But the truth is that I feel embarrassed, because of the mistake I had committed last year,” she admitted. “I was at odds with my own feelings: I want to send a message, but I’m afraid that it wouldn’t be of any help.”
However, Yeng figured that it was about time she brushed her apprehension aside, and pay tribute to the front-liners putting their own health on the line to flatten the COVID-19 curve.
“Nag-desisyon po ako na itapon ang hiya at humingi ng tawad sa lahat ng nasaktan ko sa medical field. Patawad po,” Yeng said. The new song, titled “Kumapit,” is a gentle piano ballad that hopes to give reassurance to weary front-liners that they’re not alone in this battle.
“Pinipilit mong sumagwan / Sinasalubong ang kawalan / Hindi mahanap ang kasagutan / At kumakatok sa langit ng dasal / Sana malapit nang matapos ang ulan / Kumapit ka, ‘di ka nag-iisa / ‘Di mo man nakikita na / Nandiyan siya sa ‘yo, sa ‘yong tabi…,” so goes the beginning of the song.
Upon much reflection and after seeing the hard work and dedication our front-liners put to their jobs day in and day out, the gravity of Yeng’s past actions have become clearer to her, now more than ever.
“As we face this challenge, I see that the heart you put into helping others is invaluable. And you do it, despite your own fears, because this is your chosen profession,” she said. “I fully understand why many of you felt hurt [by what I did].”
“We salute your sacrifices. Please don’t give up; the people need you. Thank you very much!” the 31-year-old music artist added.
Yeng enjoined everyone to continue praying and helping each other. “Babangon muli ang Pilipinas! We can do this. God is with us,” she said.