These are some of the newly recovered COVID-19 patients of Lapu-Lapu City, who were given a welcoming ceremony as they leave the ARC Hospital. | photo courtesy of Nagiel Bañacia.
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan together with the Lapu-Lapu City’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Team welcomed another 11 Covid-19 survivors on Friday, May 8.
The 11 Covid-19 survivors of Lapu-Lapu City was discharged from ARC Hospital in Barangay Agus.
Chan, who hosted a Facebook live during the welcoming of the COVID-19 survivors, said that among those who survived was Delia Lawas, who was one of the critical patients of the city.
“Dunay kitay usa kaigsoon nga severe case, kini si Mam Delia Lawas, si mam Delia usa gyud ni sa mga severe cases nato, tungod kay lisod gyud kaayo iyang kahimtang, apan pasalamat ta sa Ginoo nga nka lingkawas si Mam Delia,” said Chan.
(We have among our survivors, a severe case, Maam Delia Lawas. She is one of those severe cases and we thank the Lord that she survived.)
Together with Chan was the head of the DRRMO in Lapu-Lapu City, Nagiel Bañacia.
Read more: Boy, 7, is Lapu’s newest COVID-19 survivor
He said that they, together with the personnel from the City health had organized a short program for these survivors for fighting COVID-19.
“Because they are the real heroes sila man ang nakig kumbati ug nakig away ni COVID, frontliners wala, they are just warriors, nakig atubang nila ang kamatayon, kining mga survivors, nakig atubang sila ni COVID,” he said.
(Because they are the real heroes. They are the ones fighting against COVID. The frontliners are not, they are just warriors. To these survivors, death is facing them, COVID is facing them.)
The hospital’s lobby had a different atmosphere when the survivors slowly made their way out fo the hospital’s building.
Loud cheers and applause were heard from the people who helped in welcoming the survivors, it was also a night mixed with emotions.
“Perting hilak ni Mam Delia Lawas, mga ka igsoun-an, hilak sa kalipay, mixed emotion, so mao ni ang pinaka grabe gyud nato nga patient dinhi sa ARC, but ni survive gyud siya,” said Chan.
(Maam Delia Lawas was emotional. She cried tears of joy and with mixed emotion. She is one of the worst case patient here in ARC, but she survived.)
Lawas, who is one of the best miracles Lapu-Lapu City has, said that she was indeed very grateful for Chan for all his help and to the hospital staff who also took care of her.
“Wa gyud mi niya pasagdi, daghang salamat, hasta sa mga staff sa hospital,” said Lawas.
(They took care of us. Thank you and that included the hospital staff.)/dbs