Netizens are hailing an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) as a “hero” for his genuine concern for the health welfare and security of others, not just his own.
The OFW, who tested positive for immunoglobulin M in a rapid antibody test, wants to know the real score about his health condition, so he can help others determine their b health status.
The OFW is willing to step out from the veil of privacy just to get to the bottom of the truth about his health and prevent the possibility of the spread of the disease.
The male OFW, who is billeted in one of the quarantine centers in Bohol, reached out to The Bohol Tribune managing editor Ardy Araneta-Batoy on Saturday, June 13, 2020, asking the latter to help him seek the truth about his health.
Batoy, posted in her Facebook wall, the conversation between her and the OFW. As of press time, at least 247 people positively reacted to the post, with no less than 67 shares, and at least 106 comments in a span of a few hours after the FB post. And the numbers are increasing.
Netizens reacted positively to the posted conversation, with some shedding tears of joy, compassion and prayers saying that the OFW is brave enough to dare to seek the truth.
Batoy, for her part, saw the OFW’s intentions as noble and heroic. She described the OFW as a hero amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic.
The OFW wants to confirm if, indeed, he is Covid positive or not, through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
According to medical experts, the PCR test is far superior to the rapid antibody test when it came to determining whether or not a patient is infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) identified the SARS-CoV-2.
Batoy reached out to authorities to seek the proper remedy regarding the situation of the OFW who is concerned about his health. Gov. Art Yap, his executive assistant Kevin Damalerio, and the OFW’s town mayor, immediately responded to the calls of Batoy.
While the OFW wanted to take a PCR test, to finally settle the uncertainty of his health issue, a PCR may not be the best solution at this time.
It would take 10 days at least for the PCR results to come out, which may come after he already finishes the quarantine.
Additionally, a PCR test is costly with a test costing anywhere from P6,000 to P8,000, based on the observations of The Bohol Tribune. And to think, that the OFW is willing to spend his last money for the PCR test. “Ako’y mubayad sa test para lang mahibaw-an. Igo na gyud unta ning akong kuarta nga ipamalit ug bugas inig pauli nako, pero sigi lang,” the OFW said.
According to Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez, the OFW who tested with positive IgM will take the rapid antibody test on Thursday (June 18, 2020) or seven days after the first rapid antibody test.
THE CONVERSATION
At this time, the transcript of the conversation between Batoy and the OFW can be seen on the former’s Facebook timeline. The privacy of the post is set to “public” and anyone can view or read the entire conversation. The same transcript, including the comments of netizens, is posted in the “Vox Populi” section of this paper (pages 9, 18c, 18b).
The OFW reached out to Batoy and said, “Ma’am kaila ko nimo. Naa unta koy isumbong nimo. Nagpanagana ko kay wala ko kahibaw ug unsay imong reaksyon. Pero mosulti jud ko ma’am. Naa ra nimo ug mosulti ka sa uban ug dili. Pero ako gyud kang sultihan kay nagka tagbo ta kanunay kaniadto ma’am sa dihang nag manage pa ko ug usa ka restaurant sa Tagbilaran.”
He then made a revelation by saying, “Positive ko ma’am sa Rapid Test. (Nahilum siya ug kadiyot. Akong gipasagdan ang iyang kahilum). Gikan ko sa abroad ug pag-abot nako sa Manila, gi test mi ug PCR ug NEGATIVE ko ma’am. Gi quarantine pa mi didto. Pag abot nako sa Cebu daghan ko ug nakasalamuha. Pag-abot nako dinhi, diha sad ko’y naka meet nga mga kauban namo. MAO NANG MOSULTI KO NIMO MA’AM kay aron mahibaw-an nimo. Kung unsa ang angay himu-on inig kahuman, imo ba isibya ug dili, naa ra nimo ma’am. Basta ang aku-a, gusto kong makatabang sa mga tawo, dili sa PAGTAGO apan sa pagpadayag sa kamatu-uran.”
Batoy asked the OFW if he was willing to identify himself, to which the OFW obliged. Batoy, though, is keeping the identity of the OFW and is not stating these in this write up .
He then divulged his real intent in contacting Batoy by saying, “Ang ako lang unta ma’am nga magpa PCR ko dayon aron mahibaw-an kung COVID 19 POSITIVE BA GYUD KO UG DILI BA. Simbakohay, COVID 19 POSITIVE KO, gusto ko nga ipa-test dayon kadtong akong kauban sa room panahon sa among quarantine ug kadto pang uban nga mga nakatagbo naho ma’am.”
Batoy asked the OFW if he is aware about the risk of going public, in the event he turns out to be Covid positive, which may possibly lead to some form of public embarrassment or discrimination.
He bravely said, “Dili ma’am. Mas makonsensya ko nga pahuwaton sila nga nanguli na ang uban karong adlawa. Muadto tong uban nahong gikatagbo sa ilang familya, maka tagbo na pod ug mga laing higala , ug wanay kahumanan ning atong kahimtang.”
When Batoy asked the OFW if it was okay with him if Batoy would call the governor, the mayor and Kevin Damalerio to help her discuss the situation, the OFW immediately answered in the affirmative. He reiterated his intentions by saying, “Kaayo ma’am, mao na’y akong tuyo. Andam ko ma’am nga mobayad sa akong PCR test. Aguantahon naho ang gasto bisan ug 3 na ko ka bulan nga walay trabaho. Dili mahimo nga mag lipud lipud ta ma’am kay kita ra poy ma-alaut.”
Batoy said she was touched with what the OFW shared with her. The Bohol Tribune managing editor then proceeded to call Gov. Arthur Yap, Kevin Damalerio, the information cluster head at the Capitol, and the mayor of the town where the OFW resides.
After a few moments, Batoy and the OFW resumed conversing with each other.
Batoy then informed the OFW that she had just finished talking to the governor, Damalerio, and the mayor.
The OFW then spoke to Batoy with the former asking the latter if she is still active in the mainstream media.
Batoy even offered to send a copy of The Bohol Tribune to the OFW’s quarantine area. The OFW declined the offer and said, “Ayaw lang ma’am kay unya ug Covid positive nay ko ma’am.” This touched the heart of Batoy. “Grabeha no. Bisan sa iyang kalisud nga gibati, naghuna-huna pa gyud siya sa uban nga matakdan,” Batoy said.
Then, the OFW said, “Sige ma’am. Ayaw na kaguol naho ma’am ha. Ok kaayo akong kahimtang dire ma’am. Pero gimingaw na ko sa akong pamilya ma’am. Dugay na ko wala kakita nila. Basta ma’am, magtawag tawag ko nimo kanunay ha.”
BATOY EXPLAINS WHY CONVERSATION WAS POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Batoy explained why she posted her conversation with the OFW on Facebook. She said, “Akong gipatik kining among panagsultihay kay ako siyang nakita nga BAYANI sa TALIWALA sa ATONG KATALAGMAN! Salamat nga aduna pay tawo nga susama kaniya. Salamat Gob Art sa ‘Aksyon Dayon’ nga imong kinaiya. Salamat Kevin, kay dili ka lisod tawagan. Salamat, Mayor sa imong pagpakabana. SALAMAT LORD!”