GUAGUA, Pampanga- Some 200 health care workers of Diosdado P. Macapagal Memorial Hospital (DPMMH) have joined “We Light As One” to boost the morale of medical frontliners battling the new coronavirus or Covid-19. The past few months have been very challenging for health care workers, according to Bernadeth Besonia, a 35-year-old veteran nurse of DPMMH.
“Mahirap po ang maging isang frontliner. Una po hindi naming nakakasama ang aming mga pamilya, limited lang po an gaming galaw. Minsan nagkakaroon po kami ng deskriminasyon sa ibang tao. Lalong-lalo na ang mga kasama naming 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 they serve.
“Hindi madali, mahirap ang sitwasyon naming lalo na sa mga pamilya naming na gustong magstay na lang kami sa bahay kasi natatakot rin sila para samin but we have to practice our profession. Kailangan naming lumaban. Hindi kami pwedeng umurong kasi kami ang inaasahan 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 1-hour event, beams of light illuminated the night sky to offer an hour of prayer and solidarity with all frontliners in the country.
“Alam naman po natin kung gaano kapagod ang mga frontliners, so sa kahit maliit lang na bagay po ay sana makakatulong tayo para mauplift 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 naming frontliners na kaya natin itong malampasan, basta sama-sama tayong lalaban,” said Dr. Zapanta. “We light As One” is a nationwide simultaneous fundraising event participated by various lights and sounds industry in the Philippines. Proceeds of the event will be used for the purchase of additional personal protective equipment (PPEs) to frontliners.