AWAY FROM HOME
Holding the family together, despite the distance
‘Every time something relevant came up, he would text or call me. He is relentless in saying how he misses all of us and that he can’t wait to come home. He would always remind me to make sure we were safe and to double check the locks in our house before hitting the bed.’
When the job of the breadwinner entails frequent travels for work away from Manila, and Covid19 comes in and puts a stop to travelling, what should the family do? It was a hard decision for the Dingcong brood, to make but they knew, deep inside, that their 50-year-old father
George had to fulfill his commitments as a contractor back in their hometown in Bacolod City.
“2019 was a slow year for his construction firm and so when he decided to renovate his mom’s home in Bacolod in that same year, he thought that it would be a good idea to also take on projects there since he would fly in and out of Bacolod anyway to check on the house renovations. When the pandemic hit last March, we had to weigh things and decided it was the logical thing for him to stay in Bacolod so he could finish his projects there,” shares George’s 45-year-old wife, freelance makeup artist Chiqui.
The family was used to George flying in and out for projects all over the country, but the most that he had been away was five days. “It was unchartered territory for all of us. We never thought it would drag on for three months and counting,” she adds.
Flying out
George flew to Bacolod on March 10, right before the enhanced community quarantine began. This lockdown has been nerve wracking, to say the least. Married to George for 22 years, Chiqui was anxious if she could hold the fort back in Manila, with no household help. Aside from that, she was also worried about George catching the virus with no one there to take care of him. Their two children also shared their own concerns, with 20-year-old Gavin troubled about his dad being alone for such a long period of time, and 14-year-old Chloe stressed about their father’s health.
Their worries subsided when their father made a conscious and regular effort to keep in touch. All three family members who were left in Manila agree that George kept the communication lines open. “He calls us regularly to check up on us. He also sends pictures and videos of himself with his friends in our family group chat,” says the eldest son. The unica hija feels her dad’s care and love whenever he would ask her what pasalubong she wanted from him when he eventually came home. “Every time something relevant came up, he would text or call me,” says Chiqui. “He is relentless in saying how he misses all of us and that he can’t wait to come home. He would always remind me to make sure we were safe and to double check the locks in our house before hitting the bed.”
Learn something new
The house is lonelier without George, whose music always played at home and whose goofiness and jokes would always make us or anyone laugh. With the head of the house away from home, each of the family members had to step up— Chiqui had to take on her husband’s role as the resident handyman. “My dad would sometimes call me to get dimensions of items that he needed, so he taught me how to measure correctly. It feels nice that even though we’re apart I can still help him in his work,” shares Gavin. It seems that the family has adjusted well with the new setup, but things were about to be shaken up.
Close call
All their fears came close to reality. One day, George informed his wife that he felt weak with a slight fever and a sore throat—all Covid19
symptoms. “He’s a bit susceptible because of his lungs. He had extrapulmonary tuberculosis last February 2018 that required video-assisted thoracic surgery to draw out the fluid from his lungs, so he’s still healing from it,” she explains.
Chiqui had to downplay her worries so her husband wouldn’t worry as well. She also sought support from their children as they prayed together for him to get well soon. “At that time, even thermometers were sold out so he had no way to check his temperature. I specifically told him to take paracetamol only and not ibuprofen because some articles said it would worsen the condition of the patient. I also told him to hydrate, rest, and watch out for further symptoms,” adds Chiqui, who also sought the help of a doctor friend to pay him a visit and check on him. Thankfully, he got better after a few days.
Virtual celebration
George plans to be back home mid July, and the whole family cannot wait to prepare a feast for him. “He would most likely call us for a family prayer time and have a movie night as well with pizza because that has been our tradition already,” shares Chiqui.
As July is the earliest he can fly back to Manila, it will be the first time that they won’t be spending Father’s Day together. Despite the distance, the family plans to surprise him with a video call and gifts they have sent over for him to open and enjoy. They all share the same sentiments that they will never take George for granted. “He likes to make me feel less lonely and protected. He would spoil us with good food and would take us shopping even if we didn’t really need anything,” says Chloe. Her older brother shares, “It just wouldn’t be complete without our dad. He works hard to make sure our family is secure and happy.”