The dreaded coronavirus continues to threaten lives across the globe, let alone in the Philippines. And during these dangerous times, no other place is as safe as home. Reason being, it is where you can protect yourself from the disease, as well as find comfort, security and happiness alongside the people you trust and love. As cliché as it may sound, there is really no place like it.
However, the sad reality is, not everyone gets to live in such a safe haven amid the pandemic. In most cases, these unfortunate ones are those who left behind their lives in the province to try out their luck in the Metro. Miles away from home, without any viable means of transportation due to travel restrictions, many went to extreme lengths. And here’s how their unimaginable return trips came to pass.
Every step of the way
Anyone would agree that a trip from Alabang to Camarines Sur is near impossible without the help of transportation. Well, a plane ride or even a night bus would take you across 390 kilometers without much of a hitch. But would you believe if a man dared to cover such a distance by foot? Yes, you read it right. Someone did just that, and he is Marlon Dalipe.
Dalipe is a man who made a leap of faith, leaving behind his province for the big city. He was working as a construction worker in Parañaque, until Metro Manila was placed under enhanced community quarantine in March.
Without any source of income from that point on, he had no other choice but to return home. He wasted no time leaving for Alabang in Muntinlupa City in hopes of catching a bus ride to his hometown. However, time was not on his side.
“Pagdating ko ng Alabang, sakay ako ng bus biyaheng Bicol. E kaso maga-alas dose na, ang alam ko magsh-shut down [ang mga bus] ng alas dose,” Dalipe shared in an INQUIRER.net interview.
The implementation of travel restrictions were already present at that time, in compliance to government measures. Taking into consideration the small amount of money in his pocket, Dalipe made the extraordinary decision to walk home.
“Magugutom kami dun sa Maynila dahil wala kaming bibilhan ng pagkain (We’d go hungry in Metro Manila because we wouldn’t be able to purchase food),” Dalipe said.
A seemingly unending road awaited Dalipe from there. He battled through fatigue under the scorching heat of the sun while dragging his feet across towns, cities and borders. At night, he opted to trade most of his sleeping time for a chance to close in on his destination. Along the way, he also met several people who share the same predicament as his. And there are those who offered him support by providing free food and refreshments.
After five grueling days of walking, Dalipe arrived home, letting out a huge sigh of relief.
“Nakahinga [ako] ng maluwag [pero] masakit ang paa ko (It was a sigh of relief but my feet were sore),” Dalipe said.
Pedal to the metal
Another individual who received a similar fate as Dalipe is Peter Roncales, a 19-year-old Eastern Samar native. He also lost his job in the Metro due to the pandemic, prompting his sudden return trip to the countryside. But instead of going by foot, he had something to aid his travel and keep him company — a bicycle.
While it does seem faster and easier than walking, it is still a rigorous and daunting task on its own. Not to mention that he had to do it from Parañaque to the border checkpoint of Taft in Eastern Samar. As per CNN Philippines, the teenager had to cover 1,000 kilometers on his bike in a span of 10 days. Government protocols still had to be implement upon his arrival, leading up to his two-week stay in a quarantine center around the said area.
Needless to say, Roncales was on the road day and night, pushing his body to the limit. This, despite not having ample source of nutrition and rest. It was an uphill battle, to say the least. But at long last, he is now home.
Strength in numbers
Like a band of soldiers retreating to their army base, some 36 weary men marched across the streets of Parañaque City. As it turned out, they are construction workers in the heart of the Metro. They were walking home to Daet, Camarines Norte after being stranded for two months in Quiapo, Manila on the heels of the enhanced community quarantine implementation.
Thanks to their flock size, it was easy for the laborers to catch the attention of Parañaque City officials, even at night. As how Barangay San Isidro Chair Noel Japlos put it in an INQUIRER.net article, “We saw them walking last night while we were giving away relief [goods].”
“It’s good that they passed by here. The soles of their slippers were worn out from walking. They tried to pass along Magallanes Drive in Makati and Bicutan in Taguig but there were checkpoints there so they tried a different way,” he furthered.
City officials then gave the construction workers permission to stay at the barangay hall. Donations also came their way when others caught wind of their plight, which included relief goods and cash donations. After receiving such help, their families back home had something to look forward to when they return.
Furthermore, Japlo was quick to reach out to the local government of Daet, as per Inquirer. His kind act saved the workers from taking on a much strenuous path, after their desperate situation back in Quiapo.
Having a safe zone these trying times is undeniably important. The Filipinos on this list can attest to that after going through a lot to be in a place they can call home. So while you spend the days of quarantine in the comforts of your home, appreciate life. After all, your time at home is unlike no other.