A note of thanks to all

A Note of Thanks to Everyone Who Lent a Hand

Hardly had my family fully grieved the sudden passing of my father -- who had to be cremated with dispatch (turned out he was negative) -- when we all fell ill one after another beginning on September 14, 2021. The symptoms came slow but telling -- something told us this one was... different.

In other words, we were hit by COVID-19, possibly the feared Delta variant, judging from the severity and swiftness of infection.

I would like to thank the following without whose help I and my family would not have come out of the ordeal alive.

First of all, Paeng, my immediate superior in the office, for his awesome coordination skill on top of his already gargantuan task as a multi-hyphenated head of four offices/departments, and the other forms of assistance (food, cash, meds, etc.)

Pat, my deputy, for assuming my different tasks in my long absence, with the help of the PIO team (Sheina, JV, Verna, Gab, Don, Dian, Ace, and our 'mother,' Ma'am Letty)

Gene and her MDRRMO team for kindly delivering oxygen tanks at all hours as needed

POSO, for their ambulance service to and from the hospital

PNP, for letting in my brother and his wife, son, and newborn, so they could come home and assist us, as we were one by one feeling fatigued and helpless

Dr. Paz, Dr. Adrienne, and Dr. Roland of the LGU's Rural Health Units, for the preliminary help and checking on us, including the requisite inquiries through their nurse Jonathan and the DILG/DOH's assigned contact tracer (Rience Gonzales); for providing meds and medical equipment and supplies, even food pack

Vincent, our friend at BDH, for taking care of my mother everyday and not leaving her until she got well

My niece, Kiara, whom I suddenly remembered works in the faraway area I was confined in and thus rescued me by providing for my numerous needs while recuperating

My other siblings in Manila and Cavite, who constantly kept tabs of the situation and assisted when needed through financial and moral support

My dear high school classmates, especially those based abroad, for the generous financial assistance they gave for the second time around, even without being asked to give again, the first one being for my father's burial, and for their fervent prayers; special thanks to Mira and Jaye, Bles for organizing those in the US, Ivy and Melvin for the food deliveries, and Erwin in Australia for sponsoring food

Also our former class adviser, Ma'am Tets, for giving financial assistance without being asked

Our neighbors in Cadre Site -- Solomon, Lucido, Gache, Doloque, Medrano families -- who gave meds, assistance in cooking, advice -- their kindness will not be forgotten

My colleagues in the LGU who got wind of my family's situation, for their encouragement and prayers; Ma'am Elsie/Accounting for taking care of my PhilHealth account

Michael who served as our runner

My old friends in the different lay religious communities in Manila: The Risen Lord's Vineyard, Risen Christ Catholic Charismatic Community, Filipinos for Life/Prolife Prayer Warriors, etc., for their intercessory prayers; also, my little, largely locally based intercessory prayer group -- I firmly believe in the power of intercession

The doctors, nurses, and other personnel of Medical City Clark, for their invaluable service -- the smile, the kind words, the genuine concern, the response to my little requests on top of the expected service -- those things can't possibly have a price tag

Lastly, thanks so much to my boss, Mayor Cezar, together with Ma'am Nina, Ma'am Bonita, for footing the horrifying bill when they didn't have to; special thanks to their nurse Sarah

Let me take this opportunity to thank as well those who helped us when my father died that I have not mentioned above: Cadre Site barangay officials, especially Kuya Nato (with son Cris in tow) who first came to our rescue while knowing the risks, Kagawad Ong, Kapitan Diolazo, our BHWs, especially Lea who doubled as ambulant vendor. Special thanks to Vincent for helping out at BDH, my cousins from all over, especially Uncle Bern's children, my neighborhood, friends in the office, the LGU, Raul Ramos and Cesar Bato and wife Venus for the funeral assistance, everyone who condoled with us online, and again, Mayor Quiambao for the generosity.

My profuse apologies to anyone I may have left unacknowledged inadvertently.

May God spare you and your family from what we have been through. For coming to the aid of poor, helpless souls, may he reward your household a hundredfold.

Of course, I thank God, that in His mercy we have weathered the twin storms of sudden death and dreadful disease. He must have allowed this for a reason, and I trust in his wisdom. I thank God, mother Mary and the saints, for the little and big miracles (see above) and the consolations (the thought that we were not alone -- several other families were going through the same exact thing, we are not the only ones suffering, etc.) in between the seemingly endless days and nights of trial.