Lambunao family turns to faith during COVID trial
BY IME SORNITO
Tucked deep in the obituary for Fermonio Wong of Lambunao, Iloilo was an announcement celebrating his 70 years of life “at a later date.”
Such notices are increasing amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
An untold number of burials around the globe go forward with nothing more than a priest, a funeral home employee and a single loved one.
In some places, bodies of people who have died from COVID-19 are stacking up at hospitals and people are buried quickly in the clothes they died in.
Fermonio’s death from the traitorous illness tells a different story: A family whose grief just happened to arrive amid a pandemic that had them terrified.
COVID ORDEAL
The Wong family never thought COVID-19 would get them. They took every precaution, staying cooped up in their Lambunao home since the enforcement of the community quarantine.
But the virus still found its way inside.
It was in March 29 when the family’s patriarch, Fermonio, was taken to a hospital after he got infected with the viral disease.
After spending several days inside the intensive care unit, Fermonio lost his battle with COVID-19. He had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes that put him at special risk, his wife, Bernardita, said.
Shortly after Fermonio’s passing, the nightmare began for the Wong family.
Each member of the six-person household became infected over the course of days. But most of them were asymptomatic and were told to go on home quarantine.
The emotional anxiety and fear were too much to bear, Bernardita recalled.
Throughout their battle, Bernardita said her Family never lost faith in God.
“Wala gid kami sang liwan nga gindangpan kundi ang faith and trust sa Gino-o. Persistent gid ang amon prayers nga si Lord lang gid ang makaayo sa amon,” Bernardita said.
The family began to breathe sighs of relief when Bernardita got a phone call from their doctor.
“Naga-Divine Mercy kami sang nagtawag si doctora nga negative na kami sa COVID-19. I considered that a miracle, miracle gid sa akon ya,” Bernardita said.
But their problems did not stop there. As soon as the news spread all over their town, people became anxious and extremely self-protective. One night, the Wong’s house was pelted with stones.
“Ang iban pa nga tawo ang naghambal nga ginbato kami that time we were praying, wala gid kami sang nabatyagan,” said Bernardita.
CHRISTMAS WISH
Now, nine months after getting hit by the virus the Wongs could not ask for a better ending for 2020. And they have a lot to thank for their recovery.
As for their Christmas wish?
“A peaceful and merry Christmas. Even though nga wala na si Papa nila but still we celebrate with him kay ara man lang sia nagabantay sa amon,” said Bernadita./PN
